Radio Smart Talk: New spine surgery; home protection against cold weather

Radio Smart Talk for Friday, January 25:

Cervical disk replacement surgery.  Sounds like something you would want to avoid -- right?   Most people who have had spinal disk problems do.  Besides not wanting to have surgery period, often there still is some pain and the patient's range of motion can be limited afterwards.

However, a new procedure could alleviate a few of those issues.

Last October, surgeons at PinnacleHealth were the first in the nation to implant a type of artificial cervical disc (SECURE-C) that replaces damaged discs in the neck while reducing pain and allowing patients to move more freely.  That's according to the PinnacleHealth Spine Institute.

Radio Smart Talk will discuss this medical breakthrough on Friday's program with Dr. William Beutler, the Spine Institute's Medical Director and Dr. Walter Peppelman, a surgeon at the Institute.

Also, have the extreme cold temperatures had an impact on your house this week?  State Farm Insurance says some 250,000 families have their homes ruined each winter by frozen pipes.

We'll talk to a company rep who will have some tips on preparing your home and protecting it from cold temperatures.

Listen to the program:

Dr. Walter Peppelman and Dr. William Beutler of the Spine Institute on Radio Smart Talk.