Each level of the spine has bony, hollow archways on either side of each vertebra, referred to as foramina. Two nerve roots run through these openings. If one of these passageways for spinal nerve roots narrows, it’s a condition called […]
One of the many remarkable things about the human spine is its resilience. However, it’s an entirely different ballgame if an infection like vertebral osteomyelitis gets into your backbone. Vertebral osteomyelitis a rare type of infection that often develops when […]
It’s only human nature to assume pain felt in one part of the body is related to something in the same area. However, this isn’t always the case. For instance, a disc pressing on a nerve in the lower back […]
Made of collagen, tendons are durable connective tissues that play a role in keeping bones and muscles together. In the spine, these strong, fibrous tissues are similar to springs in mattresses because they support weight. They also facilitate movements involving […]
About 3 million new cases of scoliosis are diagnosed each year in the United States, often just prior to puberty in children 10 to 12 years old. Affecting about 2-3 percent of the population, scoliosis is characterized by a sideways […]
Sciatica can start with something as minor as occasional dull or mild pain in one leg or on one side of the body. However, some of the three million or so Americans affected by this nerve-related condition may experience numbness, […]
One of the most common reasons for nerve pain that’s felt elsewhere is irritation of the sciatic nerve. The longest single nerve in the body, it runs from the lower back into the legs and branches off. However, not all […]
Spinal (intervertebral) discs make it possible for the backbone to support daily movements. These natural “shock absorbers” consist of a solid outer shell called an annulus and a softer inner portion referred to as a nucleus. If a disc’s outer […]
Each year, nearly 50 million Americans complain of headaches, but only about 8 million end up seeing a doctor because, most of the time, sudden pain in the head that radiates to the neck or other nearby areas is a […]