Dr. Douglas Linville II
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Memphis, TN
32 years experience male
Locations
Office
Memphis, TN
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Tennessee
CHAMPUS
Cigna
Humana Insurance Company
Medicare
UnitedHealthcare
Tricare
Spine Specialty Center
Memphis, TN
Spine Specialty Center
Southaven, MS
About
Bio
Orthopedic Surgery Residency SUNY Stony Brook, Spine Fellowship Training at Washington University, St. Louis. I have been in academic and private practice performing spine-only orthopedic surgery since 1997. My practice at Spine Specialty Center, in Memphis, TN, was established 2002 and continues to expand now serving patients in DeSoto county MS, and the greater Memphis area. I continue to work in the areas of research of spine diseases and treatments. Presently I am enrolled as one of the investigational centers for the DIAM FDA IDE study for back pain (a prospective, randomized clinical trial). Previous presentations and publications have centered around my training in spinal deformity, scoliosis, and spondylolisthesis. Currently, I continue to pursue interests in minimally invasive spine surgery and its application to both degenerative diseases as well as spinal deformity including scoliosis.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
450 Answers
80 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Capsaicin: Salonpas hot patches j&j back plasters are available at cvs and walgreen's. Read the label to ensure that they are the capsaicin and not mentholatum. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Unconvincing: Research has failed to give convincing evidence of benefit. Anecdotally, however, I have patients that swear by it. So, if it doesn't break the bank, ... Read More
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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Nope: Can't cause pneumonia either. But, running around with a fork in your mouth is still dangerous. ;-).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Maybe: Muscle spasms and twitches are not uncommon (but also are not the norm). When a nerve is compressed, there is some abnormal function that results in p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Postop Symptoms: No, not particularly normal. Understand, pain sometimes does not resolve immediately. I typically expect arm/shoulder pain to be better postop fairly ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Pain to touch: This is usually the sign of a bruise, spasm, or tendinitis. Pain to the touch is not likely nerve related. If the pain is between the spine and your s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Abdominal exercises: Try doing some pilates/yoga/piyo. Dvd's generally available at most department stores. Anything that works the core, should serve you well. Find somet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Short trunk: This could indicate scoliosis. If you have a bump in your back that is worse when bending forward, that would explain completely. At 19, not much (if ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Nothing: It means you're 38! like wrinkles of skin or gray hair, your spine also normally ages. These findings are reported as "arthritis" or degenerative disk... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: If you are solidly fused, you may do anything you would like. Your level of flexibility and pain would be your only limitations. I have allowed my jum... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Postop microdisk: When your surgeon says you can. Each patient is different and the findings at surgery suggest postop instructions. Continue to avoid bending/lifting/t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Cerv spondy: Arthritis equates to bone spurs. In the absence of pinched nerve pain, no surgical treatment is necessary. Pt alone is likely sufficient. However, if ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Cerv Radiculopathy: Pain here is likely a pinched nerve from arthritic pressure and/or a herniated disc, or tendinitis (levator syndrome). Aggravated by poor posture at a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Be lucky, very lucky: 80% of all people will have significant back pain during their lifetime. So prevention is a bit of a loaded term. However, core strength and good ergo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Tiny bubbles...: Any clunks, clicks, snaps or pops that are not painful, are likely of no consequence. Though the exact cause of your bubbles may never be known, i sus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Knee vs. hip: Hip pain is felt in the groin and buttock, and then deep in the thigh down to the knee. Getting up from a chair will cause hip pain due to increased p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Trigger points: Pain in the midline of the back or around the shoulder blades is usually muscular. Trigger points, fairly specific areas that when pressed reproduce o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Back pain in RA: Make sure you haven't had a compression fracture. Get xrays. You are immunocompromised from RA meds, and in a different category from usual patients o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Low cervical prob: Either of 2 possibilities. 1) ulnar nerve compression in the arm or elbow; this would cause numb ring (4) and pinky (5) with weakness in grip. 2) low ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Coccydynia: Tailbone pain can occur with or without injury. Only real concern is to exclude a sacral tumor (extremely rare). If bowel/bladder habits normal, proba... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Maybe: If fully healed from surgery, then yes. In fact, there are very few things you should be restricted from doing at that time. If within the first 6 mon... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Neck Pain and Spasms: Not a good surgery i know of for neck pain and muscle spasms. If your doc suggested surgery before any other treatments, either you have one serious p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Spasms: Arthritis affects the entire spine. It is a genetic predisposition. The areas of most stress or movement, are subsequently affected the most. If you h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Thoracic spine: This region is difficult to access unless the chest cavity is entered. With thoracotomy, incision into the chest, most common complication is irritati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Trigger points: Pain in the midline of the back or around the shoulder blades is usually muscular. Trigger points, fairly specific areas that when pressed reproduce o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Cerv Radiculopathy: Radiating pain into the arm/hand may be associated with numbness or weakness—radiculopathy. If due to a disc herniation, 80% likely to heal with time.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Post surgery pain: Pain immediately after surgery suggests: wrong surgery, wrong level, wrong diagnosis, wrong surgeon, wrong patient. Delayed return of pain suggests ne... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Few symptoms: Chordoma is a rare malignancy of the lower sacrum, typically in male patients over 40. It is often associated with deep pain in pelvis/sacrum, and bow... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Pinched nerve: There is no reason needed. It is a common occurrence that may or may not be symptomatic. Causes include herniated disc, bone spur, stress fracture, sl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Back pain in young: Young patients rarely need further evaluation for back pain as it is usually self-limiting. For mild symptoms, muscle pains are most common. Consider ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Only you would know: Hurt and harm are two different things. There is no harm in trying whatever aerobic fitness you desire. If comfortable, then continue. If painful, you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Indifferent: Scoliosis is not a contraindication to any activity as long as it is tolerated from a pain standpoint. The only precaution i give my patients is that ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Narcotic equivalents: Vicodin is hydrocodone. Dilaudid is hydromorphone. Both are fine for acute pain especially post-surgical. Why one works for you better than the other?... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 75-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Postoperative pain: Pain that changes, or comes and goes after surgery is not unusual. As nerves heal after decompression and blood flows back in, symptoms can actually w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Trigger points: Can't hurt... Worst case, you get an anti-inflammatory in your system (depomedrol (methylprednisolone) in injection). Better result if diagnosis more ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Doubtful : Pain that is symmetric suggests other causes especially when only involving the feet. Possibilities include poor circulation, neuropathy (abnormal ner... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Sacroiliac Pain: Extreme is certainly worrisome. If you find you have pain in the buttock region that does not radiate, this could be si pain, which is not serious. Se... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Pain after biopsy: Presuming your biopsy was benign, i would say it is not normal to have significant pain after this type of procedure. That does not imply your doctor ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Thoracic pain: After excluding problems with your lungs (pneumonia), aorta, heart, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder etc. You would want to consider a herniated... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Back pain in young: Expect to have back pain. Everyone has it at some point. At age 21, this is not common. Most common causes of pain include injury, stress fracture, di... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Are there any natural treatments that would help relieve herniated discs in the neck and head aches?
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
McKenzie Exercises: Understand, 80% of disc herniations heal over 2-3 months time. Pt for back and neck conditions involve stretching, strengthening, and some range of mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Modulus mismatch: This is a biomechanical term that pits the stiffness of a biomaterial (hip implant) against the bone in/on which it rests. This is not likely to chang... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Hip OA: Biomechanically, when getting up from sitting, there is an enormous amount of joint reactive force exerted on the hip. That is to say, muscle contract... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Sciatica: True sciatica is leg pain that shoots from back, down the leg past the knee. This mimics the path of the sciatic nerve, thus it's name. Mri of the spi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Certainly: Always consult with your surgeon when. But absolutely you may resume even contact sports like pro football after single level fusion is solid. General... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Pain to touch?: This is usually the sign of a bruise, spasm, or tendinitis. Pain to the touch is not likely nerve related. If the pain is between the spine and your s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Tumor not likely: Prevertebral swelling can be related to many different and benign things like respiration/motion. This is one reason why ct/mri should not be obtained... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Back pain in young: Young patients rarely need further evaluation for back pain as it is usually self-limiting. For mild symptoms, muscle pains are most common. Consider ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
L4 Radiculopathy: Disk herniations at l4-5, could cause pressure to either the L4 or L5 nerves or both. L5 would cause the outside of the calf and top of the foot to be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Douglas Linville IIanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 32 years experience
Get a diagnosis: Taking narcotic medications for pain chronically without diagnosis is simply asking for tolerance and addiction issues. Obviously, if you've had this ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
535
Thank you notes
Jul 18, 2013
Dr. Linville II is extremely knowledgeable, well trained, an excellent teacher, a role model, and a highly competent spine surgeon. Thank you Dr. Linville II for your contribution to the medical commu...Read More
Mar 27, 2013
Great surgeon, well respected in the community, trustworthy to go see for consultation.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Linville II is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Makes sense I was actually thinking in the lines of Athritis. Taking celebrex shoulder pain has gone pain is in the mid back & r) chest area
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! More than just neck shoulder & back issues & are getting another opinion. Thanks for taking your time to reassure we're on the right track.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Thank you I haven't had those test yet I have had blood test done and await the results this week and I do hope my GP sends me for a CT/MRI
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
UMKC
Graduated 1991MD
Residency
SUNY Stony Brook
Awards
Top Doctor, First Place, Memphis, TN - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, Second Place, Memphis, TN - Winter
2013
Top Orthopedic Spine Surgeon , First Place, Tennessee - Winter
2013
Affiliations
Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Scoliosis Research Society
Publications
Biomechanical evaluation of lumbosacral reconstruction techniques for spondylolisthesis: an in vitro porcine model.
Osteoporotic fractures.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
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