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Dr. Bo Zhang, MD is a spine surgeon in Olney, MD specializing in spine surgery and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. He graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2017 and has 9 years of experience. Dr. Bo Zhang, MD is affiliated with MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, Holy Cross Health and MedStar Health.
Musculoskeletal Problems
The musculoskeletal system refers collectively to the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It is what gives the body structure and movement. Because this system encompasses so much of the body, musculoskeletal problems are extremely varied and can happen almost anywhere. There are musculoskeletal problems that affect only the joints, those that affect the bones, those that affect tendons and ligaments, and those that can happen in any area of the body but cause pain and numbness.
Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.
Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.
Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.
Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.
Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
If conservative treatment options and other spine surgeries have failed to provide someone pain relief, they may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment for chronic back or leg pain. A spinal cord stimulator, which is surgically implanted underneath the skin (subcutaneously), can deliver electrical pulses to the area of pain. These pulses will reach the brain before the pain signals can, so instead of pain, patients will experience a tingling sensation.
To determine if spinal cord stimulation may benefit someone, they will first undergo a trial period. During this period, a temporary electrode lead is placed subcutaneously above the spinal cord, and it is connected to an external stimulator that they will carry with them. The procedure is typically completed within an hour, and patients may return home the same day. After a few days or weeks, the trial stimulator will be assessed for effectiveness. If the trial is unsuccessful, patients may undergo a second trial period, or the leads will be removed, and other treatment options will be considered. If, instead, a patient's pain is relieved during the trial, they will undergo surgery for implantation of a permanent stimulator and leads.
The components of a spinal cord stimulation system include the stimulator, the leads, and the wire that connects the two. Implantation of permanent leads may be percutaneous (through the skin) or involve a surgical incision. The spinal cord stimulator is implanted subcutaneously in the abdomen or buttock. The stimulator is battery-powered and may be rechargeable. If the battery is not rechargeable, it will last around 2-5 years, and a patient will need surgery to replace it.Their doctor will program the neurostimulator following the procedure.
After spinal cord stimulator surgery, patients may be released from the hospital the same day or the next one. In the weeks following the operation, patients will need to work with their doctors to find the optimal settings for their neurostimulator. Activities such as driving, twisting, bending, raising one's arms, sleeping on one's stomach, or lifting heavy objects should be limited.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently join together two or more vertebrae, the bones in the spine. Certain spinal disorders can lead to instability and pain, and the idea behind spinal fusion is that fusing vertebrae together can both make them stronger and reduce motion, which can sometimes reduce pain.
There are several different types of spinal fusion surgery available, mostly depending on where a patient's pain is located and whether his or her surgeon will perform the procedure through the back, front, or side. In general, a fusion is performed by packing the vertebrae to be fused with grafted bone. This bone may be taken from the patient's hip, may be donated from a cadaver, or it may be a manufactured synthetic material. The bone is placed along the vertebrae, and sometimes, the disc that lies in between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with grafted bone. The bone material will grow and cement the two vertebrae together. After the bone graft is placed, the vertebrae are sometimes held in place with rods, screws, plates, or cages, depending on the weakness of the spine and needs of the graft.
Spinal fusion is a significant surgery and can take three to four hours or more. Recovery is typically two to four days in the hospital. After surgery, it is important to remember that the fusion takes time to grow from the bone graft. So, the actual fusion is not complete for several months. Patients will probably feel somewhat better right away, but it may take a while to feel the full effects of the fusion as the bone grows into place. In the meantime, doctors might have patients wear a brace to protect their spine and keep it properly aligned.
Spinal fusion is not used for all kinds of back pain. Changing the way the spine moves can lead to strain on the other joints in the back, and fusion is only performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Some spine disorders that are treated with fusion include:
Regardless of the diagnosis, there is always a possibility of 'failure' with spinal fusion, or of the surgery not fully solving the pain. This is more likely when fusion is used primarily to treat pain instead of structural problems. Patients can improve their chances of a successful outcome by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moving their body every day, and following their doctor's instructions for any physical therapy that they are prescribed.
Dr. Bo Zhang, MD graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2017. He completed residency at Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Orthopedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and has a state license in Maryland.
Medical School: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (2017)
Residency: Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals (2022)
Board Certification: Orthopedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (2025)
Licensed In: Maryland
Dr. Bo Zhang, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Bo Zhang sees patients in Olney, MD. His medical specialties are spine surgery and orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. For his residency, Dr. Zhang trained at a hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. His areas of expertise include the following: deformity correction, orthotics, and lumbar laminectomy. Dr. Zhang's professional affiliations include Holy Cross Health and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Holy Cross Health reports that he is closed to new patients at this time.
