Dr. Andre M. Samuel - Spine Surgeon Houston

06/16/2026

A recurrent disc herniation after back surgery is often easy to see on MRI—but the scan doesn’t tell the full story.

The real question is what’s driving the symptoms now, and what the right next step should be.

Re-herniation can occur after a lumbar discectomy. When it does, it’s rarely simple. Healing biology, biomechanics, and patient-specific factors all play a role.

“Failed discectomy” isn’t one diagnosis, it’s a spectrum of different situations.

Key considerations:
• Do symptoms truly match the MRI?
• When did the recurrence occur?
• How do activity level and healing factors influence recovery?
• Is revision surgery the best step, or is there another option first?

In spine care revision, treatment should be guided by the patient, not just the image.

Reherniated Disc Specialist If you are struggling with symptoms of lumbar disc reherniation, such as recurrent back pain or sciatica, or if you are experiencing new symptoms following spinal surgery, it's crucial to seek expert care promptly. Dr. Andre M. Samuel, orthopedic spine specialist, provide...

06/11/2026

After spinal fusion, nearby segments can wear over time...sometimes 5–10+ years later. Watch for new pain, numbness or weakness in the arms/legs, and increasing stiffness or reduced motion. Early symptoms are often gradual, not sudden.

Spinal Breakdown Specialist If you are experiencing pain long after your spinal fusion surgery, you may have spinal breakdown, also known as adjacent segment degeneration. Don't let your symptoms go untreated. Dr. Andre Samuel, an orthopedic spine specialist, treats patients in the Clear Lake, Houst...

06/10/2026

One of the biggest shifts in spine surgery has been moving toward less tissue disruption without compromising outcomes.

For the right patient, lumbar microdiscectomy can provide significant relief of radicular pain through targeted nerve decompression, smaller incisions, earlier mobilization, and faster recovery.

The key is not just technique, it’s patient selection and surgical judgment.

Not every disc herniation needs surgery. But when conservative treatment fails, a precise minimally invasive approach can be highly effective with durable results.

Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgeon Living with sciatica pain caused by a herniated disc can be debilitating, impacting your daily life and preventing you from enjoying everyday activities. However, you don't have to suffer any longer. A minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy can offer long-term relie...

06/09/2026

Think of your spinal disc like a jelly donut.

Over time, the “donut” can dry out and weaken.
If the outer wall tears, the inner gel can push out and press on nearby nerves.

That’s a cervical disc herniation, and it can cause neck pain, arm pain, or numbness.

It often develops slowly from aging, daily stress, genetics, or smoking, not just a single injury.

Herniated Disc Specialist As we age, the discs in the spine can become dehydrated, rigid and can weaken due to normal wear-and-tear. This process can cause a herniated disc in the neck and/or back. Herniated discs can cause mild or severe problems with daily activities. Cervical herniated disc speci...

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

Posterior cervical decompression and fusion is highly effective for multilevel disease, but it’s rarely a “simple” operation.

Success depends less on instrumentation and more on alignment, extent of exposure, and thoughtful indication.

The tradeoff is real: durable decompression on one hand, axial pain and muscle disruption on the other. The skill lies in matching the approach to the pathology, not the habit.

Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Surgeon Do you have serious neck issues that compress the spinal cord or nearby nerves? Posterior cervical decompression and fusion is ideal for patients with constant pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or hand and is recommended after conservative trea...

06/02/2026

Understanding Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI): It involves excessive movement at the C1-C2 joint, which can affect the spinal cord.

Key symptoms to watch for:
• Chronic neck pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Balance and coordination issues
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Cognitive "brain fog"

Atlantoaxial Instability Specialist Atlantoaxial instability in the neck is characterized by excessive movement between the two top cervical vertebrae: C1 and C2. This hypermobility can cause fractures, pain, and numbness or tingling in the extremities. Doctor Andre M. Samuel, orthopedic spinal doct...

05/28/2026

What actually changes for patients after a lumbar laminectomy?

The goal of lumbar decompression is not simply to “remove pressure” in an abstract sense, it’s to restore tolerance for standing and walking without nerve-driven limitation.

In spinal stenosis, patients often unconsciously adapt their lifestyle around symptoms long before they recognize how limited they’ve become. The decision point for surgery often arrives when those adaptations are no longer enough to maintain quality of life.

A well-indicated laminectomy directly addresses the underlying anatomic constraint, allowing neural elements to move freely again within the spinal canal.

Takeaway: The value of decompression is measured not by the post-op MRI, but by the return of sustained, reliable function in daily life. https://andresamuelmd.com/lumbar-laminectomy-decompression-spine-surgeon-houston-tx/

Lumbar Laminectomy Surgeon If you’re struggling with persistent leg pain, sciatica, or other painful symptoms in your lower back, a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy could be the solution you need. This decompression procedure can offer you a solution to your back pain. Dr. Andre M. Samuel, or...

05/26/2026

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) is a minimally invasive option for select lumbar conditions where both alignment and nerve compression are concerns.

It’s commonly used for disc degeneration, herniation, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, stenosis, and recurrent disc issues. Learn more 👇

Minimally Invasive LLIF Surgeon If you have persistent low back pain with a degenerative disc or herniated disc, you may want to consider a lateral lumbar interbody fusion. This minimally invasive procedure can be done for patients in Clear Lake, Houston and Sugar Land, Texas who have been unable to...

05/25/2026

In spine surgery, we think in alignment, stability, and structure.

On Memorial Day, we think of sacrifice.

Different language, same idea: people who held everything together so others could stand upright.

We don’t take that stability for granted.