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Dr. Paul W. McDonough, MD, pursued his medical studies at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. He graduated at the top of his class, earning the university’s prestigious Longmire Medal. Following graduation, he began his clinical training at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center as part of an orthopedic surgery residency. At the conclusion of the five year residency, he achieved test scores in the 100th percentile. Dr. Paul W. McDonough, MD, relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, and finished his clinical training as a spine surgery fellow at the University of Wisconsin. For nearly 15 years, Dr. Paul McDonough, MD, has worked as a physician and spine surgeon at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas. In this position, he excels in treating his patient’s lumbar, thoracic, and cervical conditions. Outside of his work as a medical professional, Dr. McDonough spends time as a volunteer with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also volunteered on a number of church-run humanitarian projects, including a mission to Scotland.

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Optimal Treatments for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

As an orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Paul W. McDonough performs procedures on the thoracic, cervical, and lumbar sections of the spine, in addition to advising patients on possible courses of care. In many cases, Paul McDonough, MD, has found that physical therapy can serve as an effective precursor or alternative to surgery for patients. For instance, lumbar spinal stenosis can often be treated…

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Whispering Pines is the New No. 1 Course in Texas

Paul W. McDonough, MD, a graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine, has spent more than 18 years as a spine surgeon at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Abilene, Texas. Beyond his work caring for patients as an MD, Dr. Paul McDonough enjoys playing golf on courses throughout the state of Texas.

Whispering Pines Golf Club has overtaken Dallas National Golf Course as the premiere golf destination…

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NASS Prepares for First International Conference

NASS Prepares for First International Conference

Dr. Paul W. McDonough received his MD from the UCLA School of Medicine in 1995. After achieving his MD, he trained as an orthopedic surgeon at UCLA Hospital and as a spine surgeon at the University of Wisconsin. In addition to working as a spine surgeon at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas since 2001, Dr. Paul McDonough is a member of the North American Spine Society.

The North American…

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Sleeping Positions and Back Pain

  Sleeping Positions Image: webmd.com

As a spine surgeon at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas, Paul W. McDonough, MD, cares for many patients with back pain. Dr. Paul McDonough upholds a commitment to educating patients about their pain and helping them understand potential contributing factors.

Sleep positioncan have a significant effect on your back pain. The most comfortable sleeping…

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Board Certification for Orthopaedic Surgeons

Spine surgeon Paul W. McDonough, MD, received his board certification through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, an organization recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Dr. Paul McDonough earned this credential in 2003, following a residency in orthopedic surgery and a fellowship in spine surgery. The process of board certification verifies a physician as a specialist in his or her field. Unlike licensure to practice, it is not a mandatory undertaking, and so not every physician receives his or her board certification. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) oversees certification for surgeons in that particular specialty. To qualify, a surgeon must have completed both a four-year medical degree program and a five-year orthopaedic residency, both from accredited institutions. The final two years of residency must take place at a single institution. Surgeons who meet education requirements must successfully apply to sit a written examination, which includes seven sections and a total of approximately 320 questions, which together address all aspects of orthopaedic practice. Candidates sit the examination over the course of eight hours in a single day. Surgeons who pass part one receive a board eligible credential and may complete part two of the examination within five years. To complete part two, a surgeon must have a full and active medical license and must have completed 20 months of practice in a single location and group. The board reviews evaluations and data from this time in practice to determine a candidate's eligibility to sit part two. Before completing part two, the candidate submits a document that delineates all surgical cases that he or she performed over the course of six months. The candidate must then travel to Chicago to sit the two-hour examination, during which the candidate presents his or her cases over the course of four 25-minute segments before two examiners per period. Upon successful completion of part two, the surgeon receives his or her board certification certificate and retains diplomate status for 10 years.

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What Causes Back Pain?

Since 2001, Paul W. McDonough, MD, has served as a spine surgeon with Orthopedic Associates of Abilene, Texas. Currently, Dr. McDonough is the only provider between Lubbock and Dallas-Fort Worth who has undergone fellowship training in spine surgery, Dr. Paul McDonough specializes in surgery on the neck and back. While the term “back pain” can seem broad-reaching in its scope, the reasons for back pain typically fall within a small range of categories. These are the main areas of concern that should be investigated whenever a patient presents with pain in the back area. One of the most common causes of back pain is a strain on the back muscles themselves or the ligaments that connect them. This can occur as a result of sudden movement or other actions that put an adverse strain on the muscles and ligaments on a regular basis. Almost all other issues with the back involve the skeletal structure. Pain can be brought on by bulging or ruptured vertebrae, arthritis of the spine itself, abnormal spinal curvature, or overall weakness of the spinal structure brought on by osteoporosis.

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Spine Fusion Surgery

Paul McDonough, MD, practices spine surgery at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas. There, Dr. Paul McDonough offers spine fusion surgery and other procedures of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. As its name indicates, spine fusion surgery involves joining bones of the spine to form a single structure. The purpose is to eliminate the motion of the joint causing the pain while preventing painful stretching of the nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove tissue or bone compressing the nerves and spinal cord. The surgeon may choose to perform the procedure by approaching the spine from the front, back, or side, depending on the needs of the patient and the nature of the condition. If the procedure will include a graft of natural bone from the patient's own body, the surgeon will also make an incision in the hip to extract the bone. Because this is more invasive and may involve more postsurgical pain, many patients receive cadaver or artificial bone. The procedure involves placing the bone graft material between the relevant vertebrae. In some cases, assistive hardware such as screws, rods, or plates may hold the graft in place as it heals. Healing may take weeks to months, during which bracing and physical therapy help to support alignment of the spine.

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The Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Bosworth Field

The Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Bosworth Field

  Wars of the Roses Image: thoughtco.com

A spine surgeon, Paul McDonough, MD, has served on the clinical team at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene since 2001. Dr. Paul McDonough enjoys reading historical nonfiction and is particularly fond of British historical events, such as the Battle of Bosworth Field and the Wars of the Roses.

The Battle of Bosworth Field took place in August of 1485. It was…

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NASS Funding Opportunities

An MD graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine, Dr. Paul W. McDonough serves as a spine surgeon at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas, where he specializes in surgical procedures targeting the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical areas of the spine. In conjunction with his practice, Dr. Paul McDonough is continually learning new techniques in his field through membership in professional organizations such as the North American Spine Society (NASS). NASS helps researchers through several annual grant programs. Each category carries grants up to $50,000, depending on the scope of the project. The most basic program is the NASS research grant, which identifies research efforts that have the potential for significant findings. NASS also sets aside funds for: - young researchers less than five years from completing their professional training, and - studies that look for ways to treat chronic back pain through methods other than surgery.

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Epidural Steroid Injections as Part of the Spine Healing Process

Epidural Steroid Injections as Part of the Spine Healing Process

  Spine Healing Image: fixmyspine.net

Paul W. McDonough, MD, is a recipient of the UCLA School of Medicine’s Longmire Medal for achieving the highest average in his graduating class in the area of surgery. Since completing his residency at UCLA Hospital and a spine surgery fellowship at University of Wisconsin, Dr. Paul McDonough has accumulated over 15 years’ experience as a spine surgeon.

Patien…

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Physical Therapy after Spine Surgery

Physical Therapy after Spine Surgery

  Dr Paul McDonough MD Image: fixmyspine.net

As spine surgeon, Dr. Paul W. McDonough MD is the only fellowship trained spine surgeon between Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and Lubbock, Texas. A graduate of UCLA Medicine School, Dr. Paul McDonough recommends physical therapy to patients who’ve had spine surgery.

After spine surgery, physical therapy is necessary to help patients maximize recovery. Many…

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Importance of Maintaining Ideal Weight for Spine and Joint Issues

Importance of Maintaining Ideal Weight for Spine and Joint Issues

  Maintaining Ideal Weight for Spine

A physician who performs spine surgeries exclusively, Paul W. McDonough, MD, is a respected presence in the Abilene, Texas, medical community. He is the only practitioner in his field with fellowship training in spine surgery between Lubbock and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Maintaining a personalized approach to medicine, Dr. Paul McDonough educates patients…

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Maintenance of Board Certification for Orthopedic Surgeons

Spine surgeon Paul W. McDonough, MD, received his board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2003. As part of the surgical team at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas, Dr. Paul McDonough is committed to maintaining his active certification. To receive board certification in orthopaedic surgery, a professional must first qualify for and pass a two-part examination by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery's Credentials Committee. The awarded certificate remains valid for 10 years and is contingent upon fulfillment of the board's maintenance of certification requirements. The Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program requires each diplomate to maintain an active and unrestricted license to practice medicine, as well as full staff privileges in a hospital within the United States or Canada. Simultaneously, the professional must commit to engaging in three-year periods of continuing education, each of which must include at least 120 credits of relevant coursework and an included 20 credits of self-assessment examinations. Also required is an evaluation of practice performance, which features peer review and a submitted case list. Professionals must meet specified milestones in the third and sixth years following certification. Application for re-examination takes place in the seventh year, and the recertification examination itself must be complete by the 10th year after certification.

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Smoking Behaviors and Spine Surgery Healing

Smoking Behaviors and Spine Surgery Healing

Dr Paul McDonough MD Image: fixmyspine.net

Paul W. McDonough, MD, serves as a spine surgeon with Orthopedic Associates of Abilene in Texas. There, Dr. Paul McDonough guides patients through the process of undergoing and recovering from neck and back surgery.

Over the years, research into recovery from spine surgeryhas shown improved patient healing times and experiences. One of the most recent…

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Prevention of Lower Back Pain in Golfers

Prevention of Lower Back Pain in Golfers

Dr Paul McDonough MD Image: fixmyspine.net

Paul W. McDonough, MD, provides surgical intervention for neck and back pain. As a spine surgeon with Texas’s Orthopedic Associates of Abilene. In his free time, Dr. Paul McDonough enjoys playing golf.

Many golfers, both professional and amateur, suffer from low back pain. It often stems from a swing technique that places undue stress on the spine, back…

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Benefits of TMA Membership -- Physician Advocacy

Benefits of TMA Membership — Physician Advocacy

Texas Medical Association (TMA)

  A spine surgery specialist at Orthopedic Associates of Abilene, Texas, Paul W. McDonough, MD, performs operations on various neck and back deformities and injuries. In conjunction with his professional career, Dr. Paul W. McDonough is a member of the Texas Medical Association.

Membership in the Texas Medical Association (TMA) comes with a number of benefits.…

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Volunteering with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra

Volunteering with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra

Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra Guild

As fellowship-trained spine surgeon in Abilene, Texas, Paul W. McDonough, MD, treats patients at Abilene Regional Medical Center. Outside of work, Dr. Paul McDonough contributes to the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra.

Those who wish to contribute to the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra can volunteer with the organization’s guild. Members of the guild meet nine…

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