Archives - Spine

Whiplash

Here’s a riddle: What do rough sports and car accidents have in common? Learn here: What is Whiplash? Whiplash is a term used to describe a painful neck injury that’s often associated with car accidents, but it can occur from contact sports, falls, or other trauma. Whiplash is also referred to Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration, or CAD,…

Vertebral Compression Fracture

Vertebral Compression Fracture: vertical collapse due to downward pressure exceeding bone’s ability to endure it. In a vertebral compression fracture, the vertebral bone collapses. This happens when the vertebral body is vertically compressed, and weight put on the vertebra exceeds what it can endure. More than one vertebra may be affected by this condition, which…

Trauma

What do dislocations, whiplash, herniated discs and fractures all have in common? Read this article: Condition and Causes Trauma to the spine can occur for many different reasons, whether it’s a car accident, rough sports, or even being shot. The injuries caused by these situations can vary from mild pain to paralysis. There are many…

The Degenerative Cascade

Your back pain may be the result of a cause-and-effect chain called The Degenerative Cascade We all expect physical changes to take place as we age. For instance, many people experience a decrease in height. Whether it’s in the arms, neck, back or legs, pain can occur as from everyday wear-and-tear. Not all of our…

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis: one vertebra slips forward; can cause back and leg pain, as well as other symptoms. Condition and Causes The spine is made of 33 bones called vertebrae. When one of these bones slips forward on the adjacent neighboring vertebra, this is called spondylolisthesis. This condition can cause back and leg pain, as well as…

Spinal Tumors

Spinal tumors can occur anywhere in spine and with varying symptoms. Condition and Causes Any type of tumor can happen in the spine, whether its leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Tumors can start in the spinal tissue, or they can spread from other areas like the lung, prostrate, breast, or other places. The exact cause of…

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis: part of spine narrows and pinches a nerve(s); results in numbness and/or pain in other parts of the body. Pain, tingling, weakness and instability – all these can result from stenosis, a narrowing of the canal in the vertebrae that can pinch and damage the spinal cord. Overview and Causes Spinal Stenosis is…

Scoliosis Overview

Scoliosis: the spine curving abnormally in 1 or more places. Various types of scoliosis can occur. What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder that adversely affects the shape of the spine (backbone). The term for this condition is derived from an ancient Greek word used to describe something obliquely bent or crooked – skoliosis.…

Sciatica

You may have heard of sciatica before, but do you know the symptoms? Read here: What is Sciatica? Sciatica is a condition that occurs when nerve roots are compressed or irritated in the area of the spine located in the lower back. This condition is also called lumbar radiculopathy. Lumbar refers to the area of…

Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is a condition where there is inflammation in the joint where the upper and lower body meet. What is Sacroiliitis? Sacroiliitis is a condition in which there is inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac, or SI, joints. The two SI joints are where the upper and lower body meet. Specifically, the SI…