Why Spine Surgery? Many conditions or dysfunctions of the spine may ultimately require spinal surgery. In these cases, bed rest, medications, physical therapy, bracing or other medical options may not have been successful or perhaps the condition is too severe to respond to conservative treatment. The point is that you may have a student in [...]
Many terms are used to describe disc disorders of the spine which leads to confusion even among professionals.1 Let's begin by describing normal disc anatomy and proceed to various common pathologies. You may find use of Integrative Learning Center of Mid-America's online animation library particularly helpful as you read this article. See the Spine Condition [...]
What is Spinal Stenosis? Stenosis indicates a narrowing of the space in which the spinal cord resides. This narrowing of the spine can compress the spinal cord (SC) or the nerves exiting the spinal canal1. Narrowing can occur throughout the spine but is most commonly found in the vulnerable joints of the neck or lower [...]
What is Spondylolithesis? Spondylolithesis results when a vertebral dysfunction occurs, usually at the articulating processes or joints between two vertebral levels, and one vertebrae slips forward over the vertebra beneath it. This most often occurs in the lumbar spine resulting in a narrowing of the vertebral foramen through which the spinal cord passes.1 You may [...]
What is Scoliosis? To understand scoliosis it may be helpful to first consider what normal spinal curvature entails. The spinal column is a stack of individual vertebrae ranging from 2" to 6" in diameter.1 There are 7-cervical, 12-thoracic, 5-lumbar separate vertebral bones plus fused bones which make up the sacrum and coccyx region.2 When viewed [...]
What is Spondylosis? Spondylosis is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis of the spine. As we age there is normal wear and tear on the bony joint surfaces between the individual vertebrae which make up the spinal column.1 However, if the normal aging process is coupled with other factors such as faulty [...]
Understanding Bone Health Bone is living tissue that is constantly changing and is influenced throughout the life span by the balance between bone formation and reabsorption. The functions of bone are: 1) storing minerals, 2) making red blood cells, 3) providing the skeletal foundation for movement & posture. Age Related Changes in Bone Cortical (80% [...]