Your spine has a natural curve. However, genetics, a tumor, a spinal infection, an injury, or a birth defect can cause an abnormal curvature of the spine known as scoliosis. When it’s mild, it doesn’t require treatment and can be fairly unnoticeable. However, in more serious cases, Dr. Ahlgren or a member of his team…
Bradley D. Ahlgren MD
Common Ski Injuries of the Back
For some people, skiing offers a sense of freedom and thrill that no other winter sport can match. Going down the slopes might be an excellent way to pass the holidays, but injuries are an unfortunate part of this recreational activity. Spinal injuries are some of the most frequent injuries sustained by skiers and snowboarders,…
When Are Steroid Injections a Good Choice in Pain Management?
If you have back pain that is interfering with your quality of life, an orthopedist is your best bet in alleviating the pain on a long-term basis. Whereas oral medications can provide temporary pain relief, injection treatment that is administered by a physician can subdue the pain for weeks or even months at a time….
5 Reasons to Call Your Spine Surgeon if You Have Spinal Stenosis
Are you constantly ignoring your back pain? If you have pain in your back that is slowly but progressively getting worse and worse, it may be time to see an experienced orthopedist who can give you a quick but thorough evaluation. One of the issues that can cause unexplained but worsening back pain is spinal…
Spinal Stenosis Risk Factors After 50
Once you’re over age 50, you begin to have a higher likelihood of experiencing conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and persistent back pain. You’re also more vulnerable to spinal stenosis, which is a condition that can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Let’s talk about some of the main risk factors associated…
Treatment Options for Scoliosis
Patients who have scoliosis may have the appearance of uneven shoulders, waist, and hips because of the spinal curvature. This condition is usually discovered in children before they hit puberty. Depending on the severity of the curvature, scoliosis is either mild or severe. Severe scoliosis can become a disabling condition if left unaddressed by a…
Top Exercises for Scoliosis
People who have scoliosis have an abnormal curvature of the spine. This condition usually develops during a child’s growth spurt before puberty. Treatment for scoliosis depends on various factors, like the patient’s age and the severity and shape of the spinal curvature. For mild cases, your doctor may recommend physical therapy instead of surgery, and…
Emergency Signs and Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is a bundled collection of nerves connecting the brain to the rest of the nervous system, thereby controlling many functions of the body. It is protected by the spinal vertebrae and several layers of tissue. Trauma to this sensitive part of the central nervous system can lead to permanent disability. Prompt medical…
When to See a Doctor for Low Back Pain
Back pain is so common that it is one of the main reasons why people worldwide take sick time off from work. In a majority of cases, back pain will get better without the need for medical intervention – sometimes, however, symptoms are more serious and warrant further investigation and treatment. With back pain often…
Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc
The human back is designed with special padding that is situated between each set of two adjacent vertebrae in the spine. These soft, rubber-like pads absorb shock and pressure while we walk and run, so that the bones in the spine are protected and remain stable. These pads, called discs, also enable the spine to…