Scoliosis is a spine disorder that creates an abnormal curvature, or twisting, of the spine. It can affect people of any age, but it commonly occurs in children between the ages of 10 and 15. Some cases of scoliosis have clear causes, but most cases do not. A healthy spine is vertically straight when looking…
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Types of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition caused by the deterioration of the spine, most often due to an injury or years of wear and tear. Spinal stenosis actually has three variations. The type of spinal stenosis you have depends on the location of the narrowing. Lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lumbar region, thoracic affects the region…
How to Prepare for Spinal Surgery
If you’re scheduled to have spinal surgery, there is a significant possibility that you’re a little worried about how it will turn out. One thing that can help you stay calm and relaxed is preparing for the surgery beforehand. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can prepare for your spinal…
Treatments for Sciatica Pain
Sciatica pain stems from the body’s largest nerve, the sciatic nerve. The roots of the sciatic nerve are located in the lower back, specifically in the spinal cord’s lumbar section. The nerve extends down the lower legs, passing through the buttocks. The pain associated with the sciatic nerve can be felt in all of these…
Questions to Ask Your Spine Surgeon
If you are seeking treatment for a spine condition that’s been causing you chronic back pain, you may benefit from talking to an experienced spine surgeon. The more questions you ask, the more confidence you will have in the doctor and in the procedure itself. The surgeon may even recommend minimally invasive treatments that don’t…
What Is Cervical Disc Herniation?
How Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Different from Conventional Surgery?
Medical technological advances now enable more and more spine conditions to be treated with minimally invasive surgical techniques. These are generally much safer and require a shorter recovery time than conventional surgery. However, minimally invasive spine surgery isn’t always appropriate for all spinal conditions, and not everyone is a suitable candidate for it. Certain health…
What Causes Severe Spinal Pain?
Spinal pain is usually characterized by discomfort felt in the lower back and neck region. The pain can become so severe that you are unable to continue with your day-to-day activities, and yet sitting down or lying down doesn’t always help either. Severe back pain is so common worldwide that it is one of the…
Responsibilities of an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Many orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating a certain area of the body or type of condition. They may focus on sports injuries, arthritis injuries, inherited (congenital) disorders, back issues, and more. An orthopedic spine surgeon specializes in issues that affect the back, and they can offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment to help the patient…
Common Types of Spine Surgeries
If you have been experiencing chronic back pain or feeling consistent discomfort in your spine, you might be considering spine surgery. Spinal pain, especially in the lumbar region (lower back) or the cervical region (neck), can be debilitating. Approximately half of all working Americans report experiencing back pain at least once a year, and it…