The term stenosis is medically used to describe an abnormal narrowing of an anatomic structure. Thus Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and nerves travel. The lower part of the back is called the lumbar spine. Spinal stenosis in the lower back is specified as lumbar stenosis. …
Degenerative changes in the spine can result in a variety of medical conditions and yield many symptoms, such as limited motion, spinal deformity, pain, and nerve issues. Treatment for degenerative spinal conditions varies depending on the type, location, and severity. In New Jersey, Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics specializes in treating patients who are …
In a normal spine, vertebral bodies are positioned perfectly on top of one another. Healthy discs, facet joints, and ligaments are responsible for maintaining this proper alignment of the bones with movement. However, in certain individuals, the bones do not properly align. When this happens, and a vertebra slides forwards or backward in relation to …
The brain communicates with various body parts using a complex network of nerves. These nerves send instructions from the brain to the muscles, and they bring sensory information from the various body parts back to the brain. For these nerves to function properly, they must pass unobstructed from their origins in the brain and spinal …
Over time, a patient’s spinal discs may deteriorate. In many cases, this is a natural part of the aging process. When these progressive changes cause pain and other issues, this condition is known as degenerative disc disease. This medical condition occurs when a patient’s spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae wear down, resulting in various …
What is a Tumor? All the cells in the body are strictly regulated in terms of their growth size, whether they can reproduce, and when they can divide into new cells. Through new cell production, the body can adapt to changing needs, repair tissue damage, and replace tissue loss. When this system is altered, it …
From the base of the skull to the tailbone, the bones and joints of the spinal column create a well-protected canal through which the spinal cord and nerves travel. In normal health, this spinal canal is wide enough to allow plenty of space for the neural elements within. When this canal becomes too narrow, and …
Spinal tumors are abnormal growths that could develop in the spinal cord, the surrounding tissue, or within the spine bones called vertebrae. Tumor growth occurs when normal cells produce abnormal or cancerous cells that begin to rapidly reproduce other abnormal cells Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics can detect tumor growth, explain the medical condition, …
Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are overgrowths of bone. Spurs can develop along bone edges, at ligament or tendon attachments, and within joint spaces, such as knees and hips. When bone spurs develop, they can cause pain through nerve impingement, friction against surrounding soft tissue, and changes in the joint’s normal patterns of motion. …
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 …
Understanding the Benefits of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Read More »
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, …
Bulging Discs Versus Herniated Discs: Understanding the Difference Read More »
