Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Orthopedic spine surgeon in Houston
Minimally invasive spine care
Disc replacement & complex revision surgery
Yale • HSS • Rothman trained

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Posterior #cervicaldecompression and #fusion is highly effective for multilevel disease, but rarely simple. Outcomes depend less on hardware and more on alignment, exposure & patient selection. Durable decompression vs axial pain, judgment matters most. https://t.co/ehlgBi6Wkn

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

#Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is excessive movement at the C1-C2 joint. Symptoms to watch for:
• Chronic neck pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Balance and coordination issues
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Cognitive "brain fog"
https://t.co/HXt4d8fLns #spinecare

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

#Lumbar #spondylolisthesis affects up to 6% of the adult population. While many remain asymptomatic, those over 50, women, and individuals involved in high-stress spinal activities face a higher risk. Learn more https://t.co/vjH9VteTDg #SpineHealth

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Candidates for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (#ACDF) often include patients with degenerative or herniated cervical discs and persistent symptoms such as #neckpain, numbness, or tingling after failed conservative treatment. https://t.co/fIyPDZ0Rlk #spinehealth

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

The success of #lumbar #decompression isn’t defined by post-op imaging. It’s defined by how far and how long patients can stand and walk without nerve pain limiting them. That’s the real goal of #laminectomy in #spinalstenosis. https://t.co/lcUMn13HPL #medtwitter

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

What are the symptoms of #cervical #stenosis? It often progresses slowly. Symptoms may include reduced sensation in the arms, weakness in the upper or lower limbs, difficulty with balance and coordination, and loss of fine motor skills like handwriting. https://t.co/IHz12XxXZT

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion is a minimally invasive option for lumbar conditions causing alignment & nerve compression issues. It's used for #discdegeneration, herniation, #spondylolisthesis #scoliosis, #stenosis recurrent disc issues. Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/RnjoCQeEIn

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

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

On #MemorialDay, 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.

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Most “failed #necksurgeries” aren’t failures. They’re incomplete diagnoses. Revision isn’t a redo: it’s rebuilding stability after deformity, degeneration, or failed constructs destabilize alignment. It requires reconstruction. Precision drives outcomes. https://t.co/Y3ivQtX7EE

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Neurogenic claudication is commonly linked to lumbar #spinalstenosis. It causes leg fatigue, pain above the knees, and radiating discomfort into the lower legs. Symptoms typically worsen with walking/standing & ease when sitting. https://t.co/f9l12NJ4Ga #lumbarstenosis #spinecare

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

A #pinchednerve in the neck is caused by cervical nerve root pressure from #herniateddiscs, #bonespurs, #arthritis, age-related disc collapse, or injury. Loss of disc hydration reduces flexibility, allowing nearby nerves to become irritated. Common causes: https://t.co/QHAQWLak45

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Posterior cervical #laminoplasty is performed through an incision in the back of the neck. The lamina is partially cut and hinged open to decompress the spinal cord, then stabilized w/plates/screws to preserve motion & create more space. Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/NEXnl862TB

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Leg heaviness/cramping after walking, relieved by flexion. Initially “deconditioning.” MRI: #lumbarstenosis.

After failed conservative care → decompression. Marked functional improvement. Key: diagnosis is clinical pattern recognition, not MRI alone. https://t.co/M4Qk7JzJsV

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

#HerniatedDiscs can affect the lumbar, cervical or (rarely) thoracic spine. Lumbar is most common, impacting ~2–3% of U.S. adults annually (~3 million cases). Cervical herniations can radiate to the arm; thoracic cases are less common & often work-related. https://t.co/20cyUgo1vY

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

#Lumbar #radiculopathy is multifactorial, with key risk factors: age 30–50, prolonged sitting/sedentary lifestyle, repetitive lifting/bending/twisting jobs, excess body weight, and pregnancy-related biomechanical stress. Awareness helps prevention. https://t.co/ELI9EdTUDQ

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

After #spinalfusion, nearby segments may wear over time. Early signs include new/worsening neck or back pain, radiating arm/leg pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and stiffness or reduced motion. Symptoms are often gradual, so early evaluation matters. https://t.co/KuwSlxI6mr

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

In a #transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, the surgeon removes a damaged disc through a small incision, relieves #nervecompression, and inserts a bone graft spacer. Screws and rods stabilize the #spine while fusion occurs over time for durable support. https://t.co/AlL2yWUVLq

[Dr. Andre M. Samuel | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon @AndreSamuelMD]

Happy #MothersDay to the women who quite literally hold the world together. As a #spinesurgeon, Dr Samuel spends his days thinking about alignment, strength, and support systems. But nothing compares to the quiet engineering of a mother’s care: constant, resilient & foundational.