Symptoms first
An MRI finding is interpreted together with symptoms, neurologic findings, function, and the response to previous care.
English Patient Guides
Understand the condition before choosing a treatment
Five plain-English guides translated and adapted from New Standard Hospital patient pamphlets. Each guide separates the diagnosis, urgent warning signs, non-surgical care, surgical considerations, risks, and recovery planning.
Options, not promises
Surgery is presented as one possible option when the clinical target and patient circumstances support it.
Plan recovery individually
Driving, work, lifting, and rehabilitation timelines depend on the procedure and the person—not a fixed calendar.
Lower Back
Lumbar spine guides
Lumbar spine
Lumbar Disc Herniation
A herniated disc in the lower back
Patient education about lumbar disc herniation, leg symptoms, urgent warning signs, non-surgical care, and when biportal endoscopic discectomy may be discussed.
Read the patient guideLumbar spine
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing around the nerves in the lower back
Patient education about lumbar spinal stenosis, reduced walking tolerance, non-surgical care, and when biportal endoscopic decompression may be discussed.
Read the patient guideLumbar spine
Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
When one lower-back vertebra slips forward
Patient education about degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, nerve compression, instability, decompression, and when fusion may be discussed.
Read the patient guideNeck and Arm
Cervical spine guides
Cervical spine
Cervical Disc Herniation
A herniated disc in the neck
Patient education about cervical disc herniation, arm symptoms, possible spinal cord warning signs, non-surgical care, and decompression options.
Read the patient guideCervical spine
Cervical Foraminal Stenosis
Narrowing where a nerve exits the neck
Patient education about cervical foraminal stenosis, arm pain or weakness, non-surgical care, and when posterior cervical foraminotomy may be discussed.
Read the patient guideScope and medical review
This page provides general patient education and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment plan. Treatment options, the surgical approach, recovery, and return-to-work timing vary according to the level and location of nerve compression, neurologic findings, overall health, imaging findings, medication use, and actual job demands.
Medically reviewed by Hanjin Jang, MD, Neurosurgeon, Founder and Chief Director, New Standard Hospital. Last reviewed: 2026-07-31.