- Broken Surgical Screw in the Spine
What happens if one of your surgical rods or screws breaks after your spinal
fusion surgery? Another surgery? A nurse practitioner explains what happens
when a screw breaks in your spine and how serious it is.
- Can I exercise after spine surgery?
"Maintain spine precautions" is a common phrase meaning to take great care with your back as your body recovers from spine surgery.
- Help—It Hurts to Walk!
With spinal stenosis, your spinal cord or nerve roots don't have enough room in the spinal channels, and they can become pinched or compressed. Sometimes, walking uphill makes the pain worse, but you do have options to help relieve the pain.
- Holiday Football Game is a Pain in the Neck!
Neck sprains and strains are common injuries whether resulting from a friendly game of touch football or car accident. The question is, when is it time to see the doctor?
- How Can I Relieve Neck Pain Caused by Whiplash?
The severity of whiplash depends on the force of the impact, the way you were seated in your car, and if you were properly restrained using a shoulder and seat belt.
- How Degenerative Disc Disease Progresses
The intervertebral disc is usually the first structure to change because of degenerative disc disease. Learn why it changes, and what happens to other vertebral structures as DDD progresses. Can it spread from one vertebral level to another?
- I Had Surgery: Is It Too Soon for Sex?
Sexual activity is a vital component to the health of any romantic relationship. And back pain certainly has the ability to make it a less than satisfying experience. This article describes special considerations concerning sex after spine surgery.
- Kyphosis: Is It Possible to Get Rid of the Curve?
A patient with kyphosis wonders what treatments will reduce the curve in her upper back: is surgery the best answer? A nurse practitioner explains all the options, including how physical therapy can help.
- Osteoporosis Screening: Who, How, When, and Why
Women over 65 should definitely be screened for osteoporosis, a condition that weakens your bones and can lead to dangerous fractures, especially in your spine. But everyone should watch their bone health: find out how to do that.
- Pregnancy: How to Find Low Back Pain Relief
When you're pregnant, you don't have as many options for low back pain relief,
but that doesn't mean you have to suffer. A nurse practitioner suggests several
great options for taking care of tired back muscles.
- Pseudoathrosis (Failed Fusion)
After spine surgery, how do you know if your bones have fused well? What if you have pseudoarthrosis (failed fusion) and don't know it? Read a spine expert's opinion on successful surgery.
- Quit Smoking to Improve the Outcome of Your Spinal Fusion Surgery
Smokers who face spine surgery are strongly encouraged to quit before their surgery date. It can be hard to quit smoking, but the healthy rewards, including surgical success, are worth it.
- Scheuermann's Kyphosis: When Surgery Is Needed
Scheuermann's kyphosis can be treated with surgery, but surgery isn't appropriate for every case. When is surgery necessary? Who is a good candidate? How will surgery help? A nurse practitioner answers all those questions.
- Spondylolisthesis and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is hard on your back, especially if you have a pre-existing spinal disorder, such as spondylolisthesis. Article includes ways to improve your health before getting pregnant. Exercising abdominal muscles reduces back pain during pregnancy.
- Testing for Herniated Discs: Straight Leg Raise
If you have low back and/or leg pain, you may have a herniated disc. To determine if you do, a doctor may perform a straight leg raise test during a physical exam. If you feel pain when your leg is raised, you likely have a disc herniation.
- What Can I Do to Manage Low Back Pain and Sciatica?
What can I do to manage low back pain and sciatica? I'm a mother with 2 young children underfoot and need some advice.
- What to Ask Before Spine Surgery
Surgery is a major decision, so you should fully understand what you're getting
into. Ask your surgeon all the questions you want, and don't think that any
of them are stupid questions. A nurse practitioner gives an extensive list of
good
- When is Childhood Scoliosis Treated with Bracing?
Although scoliosis mostly affects girls, boys can develop it too. Since scoliosis tends to run in families, it is advisable to tell your child's doctor if another family member has or had scoliosis.
