Before delving into vertebral compression fracture, it helps to understand the spine’s structure. The spine consists of bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The bones are called vertebrae. They make up the building blocks of the spine. The lower back contains five lumbar vertebrae, the upper back has 12 thoracic vertebrae, and the neck has…
Considering the spinal column provides the main support structure for the body, it is under a lot of pressure to do its job well. Moreover, the spine protects the nerves inside its spinal canal. These nerves travel through the spine and branch off on the sides. And when any one part of the spine runs…
Before digging into spinal stenosis, here’s a quick overview of the back’s anatomy. The back is filled with many moving parts. The spine itself contains a variety of components to support a person’s standing, bending, and twisting. It also protects the spinal cord. Inside the spine are nerves that branch off the spinal cord. What…
The back and neck have so many components. And when either hurts, it takes a medical detective to figure out the source. One possibility of back pain or discomfort is osteoarthritis of the spine. It’s a quite common form of arthritis that affects the back. What Is Spinal Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative…
It looks like George Clooney has had a number of interesting neurosurgical problems recently. It is helpful when stars have these issues because we all seem to relate better to the illnesses associated with a familiar face (not that anyone wishes these illnesses on stars or anyone else). Interestingly, Clooney points out that he had…
A neurosurgeon specializes in surgery on the nervous system that includes the brain and spine. This surgeon has been trained in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spinal column, spinal cord, nerves, and intervertebral discs. Neurosurgeons complete medical school followed by a neurosurgery residency where they learn the skills required for surgery on the…
Everyone’s body undergoes wear and tear as they age. The most common occurrence is in the joints including the joints in the spine. This wear and tear of the spinal discs is often the cause of lower back and neck pain as well as a host of other symptoms. This is called degenerative disc disease.…
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back and descends to the back of both legs. The nerve’s job is to control the muscles in the lower leg and the back of the knee. It also provides the feeling at the sole of your foot, part of…
It’s easy to confuse a herniated disc and a bulging disc. Sometimes people use them interchangeably. But they don’t mean the same thing. A bulging disc can become a herniated disc. However, a disc herniation isn’t always the result of a bulging disc. Clear as mud, right? The place to start is with an overview…
Neck and back pain can interfere with many everyday activities. It can affect a patient’s ability to work, play sports, and do their favorite activities. When neck or back pain strikes, it can be scary because you want to avoid surgery at all costs. The good news is that not all neck and back pain…