- About Dr. Cheng
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Conditions Treated
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Treatment Options
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Testimonials
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Patient Case Studies
- Patient Case Video: Adult Scoliosis and Sagittal Imbalance
- Case #1: Cervical Disc Herniation
- Case #2: Laminaplasty
- Case #3: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Case #4: Coronal and Sagittal Deformity
- Case #5: Degenerative Scoliosis and Minimally-Invasive Surgery
- Case #6: Severe Scoliosis with Marfan's Syndrome
- Case #7: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Coronal and Sagittal Deformity
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Contact
Patient Case Study #1: Cervical Disc Herniation
History
48 year-old right-hand dominant woman shipping manager who presented with a 2-month history of severe left arm pain and weakness to the degree that she could not work. She had tried medications and injections in her neck which provided little relief.
Examination
She had significant weakness in her left triceps as well as her left wrist flexors (bending the wrist forward). She had dense numbness involving her left index finger and middle finger.
Images
Before treatment x-ray shows mild arthritis, but the MRI shows a large disc herniation on the left at the C6-C7 level impinging on the spinal cord and nerve root.
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Above: X-ray and MRIs before surgery. |
Diagnosis
Disc herniation C6-C7 affecting function of the nerve.
Selected Treatment
C6-C7 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) involving removal of the disc from the front of the neck, replacement with bone graft, and placement of a plate for stabilization of the level.
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Above: Post-operative x-ray. |
Outcome
Patient had immediate and complete relief of her arm pain and has regained full strength and sensation in her arm 3 months after surgery.