If a patient experiences back pain with signs of a neurological disturbance in the extremities or thoracic region they should have an MRI of the affected area. Only if their symptoms correlate with severe pathology seen on the imaging study, should a doctor recommend spine surgery. A neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon should make the
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) is a physician’s specialty that treats patients challenged with musculoskeletal disorders. Physicians trained in PM&R, called physiatrists, can provide sophisticated care for musculoskeletal disorders that are caused by trauma, a sports injury, disease, congenital disorders or aging. Sometimes a musculoskeletal disorder arises from a brain disorder, a spine disorder, a
The spinal column is made up of vertebral bones, joints, and 26 discs which help support painless movement of the spine. Each disc functions as protective cartilage (called spinal discs) between each vertebra. These discs help cushion the vertebral bones and allow movement in all directions. As individuals age, however, discs can deteriorate, change shape,
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back region through which the spinal cord passes. Wherever this opening is narrowed, the surrounding bony structures place pressure on the nervous tissue which travels throughout the lower body and causes sensory changes and muscular strength changes. A variety of discomforting symptoms
The term “radiculopathy” is used to describe unpleasant symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, or pain, that result from a pinched nerve in the spine. Pinching can occur anywhere in the spine but is most common in the Cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions. These symptoms, and others, may be further diagnosed and treated by
Originating in the lower back or hip, sciatica is a sharp, shooting, radiating pain that runs down the back of the thigh, buttocks, and possibly into the calf. This can make it extremely difficult to complete simple, everyday tasks. Some cases can be very debilitating making it impossible to get comfortable. In Northern New Jersey,
Scoliosis describes a spine that is abnormally curved or twisted. Most commonly it occurs in either the thoracic or lumbar region of the spine. In the United States, scoliosis tends to first be identified in children around the age of puberty during a physical exam for school. Milder versions of scoliosis are detected in patients
Survival rates can be reported based on different types of treatment as well as if no treatment is received. The quoted survival rate of any disease should be based on the most recent long-term study of that particular disease. Ultimately, the survival rate for any disease is just a statistic to gauge the need and
Cervical disc replacements were first implanted in 1966. Throughout the years, technology has improved and refined implant materials and mechanics. By 2016, not only were cervical disc replacements for severe cervical disc disease preferred for the short term and the long term, the implants were made of titanium so an MRI follow-up image could be
The brain is a complex organ that is responsible for initiating and coordinating muscle movement, receiving and interpreting sensory input, regulating emotions, and performing cognitive functions. A tumor that presents in the brain can either originate in the brain (primary tumor) or can originate in other parts of the body and then migrate to the
The spinal cord lies within a tunnel called the spinal canal. Cervical spinal stenosis is the medical condition in which the spinal canal within the neck region becomes too narrow. Any stricture within the spinal canal places pressure on the branching nerves of the spine cord. If the stenosis is severe it can cause paralysis,
The term “spinal fusion” covers a variety of surgical techniques used to treat diseases of the spine. This category of spine surgery termed “fusion” can be the only solution and extremely effective when used to correct certain pathology. These procedures are more likely to be successful performed by experienced and skilled surgeons who are board-certified
