Did you know?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you should consult a spine specialist:- Has your low back pain extended down your leg?
- Does your leg pain increase if you lift your knee to your chest or bend over?
- Have you had severe back pain following a recent fall?
- Have you had significant back pain lasting for more than 3 weeks?
- Have you had back pain that becomes worse when you rest, or wakes you up at night?
- Do you have persistent bladder or bowel problems?
Health Facts
Back pain is often caused by obesity
Most people know that obesity contributes to the development of various diseases. However, did you know that obesity is a contributing factor to back pain? It is true. Being overweight or obese can significantly contribute to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
Popular subjects
DISC | research | DDD |surgeons | spine | HERNIATED | ARTIFICIAL nucleus | TRIALS | BACK PAIN | video | FUSION | laminectomy | conservative | TREATMENTS
Ben B. Pradhan, M.D., M.S.E.
Ben B. Pradhan, M.D., M.S.E. is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery for the treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal disease. Dr. Pradhan is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon.
Curriculum Vitae (pdf format)
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Dr. Pradhan began his studies at Princeton University, where he graduated with honors from the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Applied Mathematics. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Engineering with honors from the UCLA Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Later he earned a Medical Degree, with a Dean's Scholar recognition, at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Pradhan completed both his surgical internship and orthopaedic surgical residency at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. He completed his spine surgery fellowship at THE SPINE INSTITUTE in Santa Monica, California.
Dr. Pradhan, as Director of Clinical Research at THE SPINE INSTITUTE, is extensively involved in research within the field of spine surgery. He has authored multiple articles based on his research and presented his work at numerous national and international meetings. He is especially interested in the biomechanical analysis of spinal prostheses (artificial discs, dynamic stabilization, etc) and other spinal constructs. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society.
Testimonials
““I had the best doctor,” establishes John. “The Doctor did not rush into surgery. He went to great lengths examining my health conditions, reviewing my past surgeries and meticulously determining the right diagnosis, so that on the day of surgery there were no surprises. ...”“The minimally invasive surgery was amazing…to have the pain subside so quickly. I felt the difference immediately...”
“Prior to surgery, I experienced excruciating pain in the lower lumbar area. The pain caused a great deal of agony and placed unbelievable stress in my life, I feel that the spinal fusion April 16th, has given me back my life, I am active and enjoying life again, with minimal limitations....”
Latest news
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The Spine Institute is often in the news pioneering new treatments to help the reported 34 million Americans 18 years and older who suffer lower back pain, and another 9 million who suffer neck pain. Watch the news coverage here.
Dr. Hyun Bae is the first U.S. surgeon to test a new synthetic gel called the NuCore injectable nucleus. It's injected directly into the natural cushion of the disc.