Several spinal procedures are performed to help alleviate pain and improve range of motion after an injury. This surgery involves the joining of adjacent vertebrae, which limits the motion at the affected spinal segment. Fusing two bones together may seem counterproductive to the integrity of the spine. On the contrary, spinal fusion can be quite …Read More
Most people experience leg pain now and then. Often, the cause of leg pain originates in the back. Occasional pain that results from a long day of standing or heavy work can usually be resolved with rest and an ice pack. However, there is a time when leg pain needs immediate medical intervention. It is …Read More
The spinal cord and spinal column are crucial aspects of our anatomy. The spinal column is a structure of 33 individual, relatively independent bones that are stacked one atop another. These bones don’t just provide structure, they provide mobility, allowing us to bend, twist, and stand up tall. At the center of the spinal column …Read More
The spine has several segments. They are ultimately categorized into the lumbar spine (low back), the thoracic spine (mid back) and the cervical spine (neck). In any one of these areas, it is possible for the intervertebral discs, the cushions that sit between each bone, or vertebrae, to wear down. When a disc wears down, …Read More
Back pain is something that we normally associate with aging. So is osteoarthritis, the breakdown of healthy, functional joints in the body. Usually, these two complaints are kept in separate containers; we rarely consider that they may coincide – that back pain could actually be the result of osteoarthritis in the spinal column. This can …Read More
The discs situated between the vertebrae that make up the spinal column are hardy. They provide the nerves that travel through and out of the spine the space they need to function properly. These discs are durable, but they are also composed of relatively soft matter so they can act as virtual shock absorbers for …Read More