Dr. Andre M. Samuel - Spine Surgeon Houston

03/31/2026

Signs Your Spinal Hardware May Have Issues

Spinal screws, rods, or plates don’t always stay perfect. Watch for:
· Increased pain after initial improvement
· New difficulty moving, bending, or twisting
· Popping, clicking, or grinding in the spine
· Visible bulges or changes near your surgery site
· New pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs

Swelling, warmth, redness, or fever → possible infection, seek help immediately!

Failed Spinal Hardware Specialist If you've been diagnosed or believe you have a loose screw or a broken rod following spinal surgery, it's crucial to seek expert medical intervention to address these complications. Dr. Andre M. Samuel, a top spinal specialist based in the Clear Lake, Houston, and S...

03/26/2026

Who is more susceptible to lumbar disc re-herniation?

Not all patients heal the same after lumbar disc surgery. Factors that increase the risk of re-herniation include:
· Older age and degenerative disc changes
· Weak core muscles and low overall fitness
· Jobs involving heavy lifting, twisting, or bending
· Smoking and obesity, which slow tissue healing
· Genetic variations affecting collagen and spinal structure

Understanding your personal risk factors helps us tailor post-operative care and prevention strategies.

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...

03/24/2026

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis 101

It happens when a vertebra slips over the one below it. Common causes:
1️⃣ Degenerative: Arthritis wears down discs & joints over time
2️⃣ Congenital: Spine didn’t form normally before birth
3️⃣ Isthmic: Stress fractures in childhood that progress later

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Specialist If you are struggling with back pain, reduced mobility, or discomfort in your lower back that radiates down your legs, you may have spinal instability. Spinal instability is also called spinal spondylolisthesis and can be treated surgically non surgically. Dr. And...

03/23/2026

Jack Wallace shines again!

The Milano Cortina 2026 Best Defender scored a hat-trick in the Paralympic gold-medal game, repeating his World Championship feat. He credits mentor Josh Pauls and hints at a possible Para canoe pursuit for LA 2028!

Milano Cortina 2026 Best Defender repeats his World Championships final treble in the Paralympic gold-medal game; he praises friend and mentor Josh Pauls and hints at a possible switch to Para canoe in pursuit of Los Angeles 2028

03/20/2026

Persistent mid-back pain with nerve symptoms isn’t something to ignore.

Thoracic discectomy or decompression may be appropriate when:
✔️ Non-surgical treatments haven’t worked
✔️ Nerve compression is causing weakness or numbness
✔️ Walking or standing becomes difficult
✔️ Bladder or bowel function is affected

Dr. Samuel takes a thoughtful approach by combining clinical evaluation with advanced imaging to determine whether surgery is truly necessary.

Informed decisions lead to better outcomes.

Thoracic Discectomy and Decompression Surgeon If you're struggling with chronic back pain, experiencing weakness or numbness in your limbs, or having difficulty walking or standing, don't wait any longer. Dr. Andre M. Samuel, an orthopedic spine surgeon serving Clear Lake, Houston, and Sugar Land, T...

03/19/2026

After spinal fusion, the segments above or below the surgery can wear down over time which is a condition called adjacent segment degeneration.

Signs to watch for:
✔ Back or neck pain
✔ Numbness/weakness in arms or legs
✔ Stiffness or limited motion

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...

03/17/2026

03/13/2026

The cervicothoracic junction is one of the most biomechanically complex regions of the spine.

Complex revision cervicothoracic reconstruction is performed when prior surgery fails or when deformity, tumor, infection, or trauma compromises spinal stability.

Patients may experience:
▪ Progressive deformity
▪ Difficulty holding the head upright
▪ Severe instability

Restoring alignment and structural support in this region demands advanced surgical expertise and meticulous planning.

Neck and Spinal Revision Surgeon If you are dealing with a complicated spine issue or a failed surgery in the neck or upper back, it is crucial to see an experienced surgeon. Dr. Andre M. Samuel, specializes in complex revisions, especially after failed hardware or failed surgery. He serves Clear La...

03/10/2026

Atlantoaxial instability demands more than a routine exam.

Diagnosis starts with listening, a thorough history and physical examination, but advanced imaging often provides the full picture.

Depending on symptoms and findings, Dr. Samuel may order:
• Dynamic Motion X-ray (DMX)
• Motion-based CT imaging
• Static or dynamic MRI of the upper cervical spine

Understanding the degree of instability is critical to creating a personalized treatment strategy.

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...

03/09/2026

15 reasons to tune in to Para ice hockey at Milano Cortina 2026!

Nine days of heart-pounding action as the top teams battle for Paralympic glory. Fast-paced, skillful, and inspiring...this is one competition you won’t want to miss.

From 7 to 15 March, the world’s best teams collide in a nine-day competition where speed, skill, and sheer will decide who leaves with Paralympic Winter Games gold

03/05/2026

Lumbar disc reherniation often presents exactly like the index pathology. When a post-discectomy patient reports recurrent axial low back pain, dermatomal radiculopathy, or progressive weakness, it warrants more than reassurance.

Key concerns: motor deficit, reflex asymmetry, and functional decline.
New bowel or bladder symptoms require emergent evaluation.

Early recognition preserves neurologic outcomes.

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...

03/04/2026

Hardware failure isn’t always due to the device itself. Often, it’s related to:
· Incomplete bony fusion
· Trauma to the spine
· Infection or inflammatory response

Understanding these risks helps surgeons plan better and patients recover safely.

Failed Spinal Hardware Specialist If you've been diagnosed or believe you have a loose screw or a broken rod following spinal surgery, it's crucial to seek expert medical intervention to address these complications. Dr. Andre M. Samuel, a top spinal specialist based in the Clear Lake, Houston, and S...