Medical Archives

Spinal Cord Injury

Every year, an estimated 11,000 SCIs occur in the U.S. Most of these are caused by trauma to the vertebral column, thereby affecting the spinal cord's ability to send and receive messages from the brain to the body's systems that control…

Scoliosis

Scoliosis Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. The spine's normal curves occur at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions in the so-called “sagittal” plane. These natural curves position the…

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis, in general, is the most common type of arthritis and affects middle-aged or older people most frequently. It can cause a breakdown of cartilage in joints and occur in almost any joint in the body. It most commonly affects the…

Neck pain

Neck pain The neck is part of a long flexible column, known as the spinal column or backbone, which extends through most of the body. The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae), which are separated from one another by…

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosi The lumbar spine (lower back) consists of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine, between the ribs and the pelvis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing the nerves traveling through the lower back into the legs.…

Low Back Strain and Sprain

Low Back Strain and Sprain Lumbar (lower back) muscle strains and sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. The back is prone to this strain because of its weight-bearing function and involvement in moving, twisting and bending. Lumbar…

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain If you are experiencing low back pain, you are not alone. An estimated 75 to 85 percent of all Americans will experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. Although low back pain can be quite debilitating…

Herniated disc

Herniated disc The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in the back are cushioned by small discs. These discs are round and flat, with a tough, outer layer (annulus) that surrounds a jellylike material called the nucleus. Located between each of…

Cervical Disc Disease

Cervical Disc Disease Patients may be referred to a neurosurgeon because of problems in their neck, shoulders, arms and/or hands. They may have experienced pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness in any or all of these locations. Neck pain may be caused…

Central cord syndrome (CCS)

Central cord syndrome (CCS) Central cord syndrome (CCS) is an incomplete traumatic injury to the cervical spine resulting in more extensive motor weakness in the upper extremities than the lower extremities. The mechanism of injury occurs from a forceful hyperextension neck injury with prior existence…