Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the space within your spine narrows, which can pinch the nerves that travel through that space, causing nerve pain. Because of this, patients often experience a pinching sensation, leading to pain, muscle weakness, and numbness or tingling. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and neck in adults 50 and older. Considered a wear-and-tear type of degenerative condition, spinal stenosis may slowly develop over time as a person ages. It ... [Read More]
spinal discs
All About Artificial Discs
A person’s back consists of many different parts with different functions. One of these is the intervertebral discs, which are spongy cushions that both connect and separate the block-like bones of the spine. These discs also help protect the spinal cord. Discs serve as shock absorbers; they act as strong ligaments that hold each set of two adjacent vertebrae together in the spine. Also, discs are somewhat flexible to allow for a certain amount of mobility in the spinal column. Like any p ... [Read More]
Discectomy
When a spinal disc’s internal soft material has spilled out of the harder outer shell, it can cause a feeling of constant pressure and pain. This condition has many names: herniated disc, slipped disc, ruptured disc, bulging disc, and disc prolapse – and if the pain becomes chronic and unbearable, a discectomy may be in order. This type of spinal surgery involves removing the portion of the vertebral disc that is pressing against your nerve and causing the pain. It is most helpful if the pain ... [Read More]
Common Spinal Disorders
The spine, or backbone, runs from the pelvis to the skull. It serves as the central pillar of the body that bears and distributes the weight of the body. Comprised of many bones stacked on top of one another, the spine is divided into three distinct regions: lumbar, thoracic, and cervical. The spine is a remarkable work of engineering and design, but it's also susceptible to injury, deformity, or disease like any other part of the body. Let's take a look at some of the most common afflictions ... [Read More]
Degenerative Disc Disease
As we age, we face a host of challenging issues. Health problems may crop up, poor lifestyle choices can catch up with us, while exercise and healthy eating often fall by the wayside of our busy lives. For example, by the age of 40, nearly everyone has experienced some type of back pain. In many cases, this is caused by degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease progressively worsens over time, as the spinal discs, which act as cushions between the bones of the spine (vertebrae) ... [Read More]
