Back/Spine
Latest articles on Back/Spine
How to transition young adults with pediatric-onset disabilities to the world of adult health care is an important topic that is being more widely recognized, says William P. Waring III, MS, MD.
One of the goals of those who treat spina bifida patients is to improve their functionality and independence, says Bruce A. Kaufman, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin Professor of Neurosurgery and Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, and Medical Director of Neurosurgery at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
In many cases, scoliosis does not require treatment, but the curve is watched and measured carefully over the years to make sure it doesn't become any worse.
Researchers have learned that when lesions form in the brain, the brain compensates by finding other pathways to perform functions that once originated in the diseased parts, says Julie A. Bobholz, PhD.
The back is susceptible to pain because its mechanics include many pieces imprecisely put together, and it's loaded with nerves.
"The practical aspect of this study is that you want to set your head restraint so that it's very close to the back of your head," suggests Dr. Brian Stemper.
At two Froedtert & Medical College SpineCare clinics, "We treat the patient as intelligent and concerned, and help them feel more in control of their condition," says Dr. Diane Braza.
Surgery is not the only option for people with chronic neck or back pain. Dr. Raj Rao, a neck and back surgery specialist, says most patients can gain relief through education, medical treatment, and therapy.
Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ.
While most doctors would recommend medication for women with osteoporosis to prevent breaking a hip or spine, doctors argue about whether medications are necessary for women with osteopenia.
While many of the concerns regarding injury prevention appear to be directed at the elderly, it is young children under the age of 14 that are at the highest risk for injury and for whom the greatest caution should be shown.
Low-back surgery should only be performed in a relatively few, well-chosen cases, emphasizes Raj D. Rao, MD, Associate Professor and Director of Spine Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States - only headache is more common.
Although he is an orthopaedic surgeon, Raj D. Rao, MD, is a fervent advocate of conservative treatment, with surgery performed only as a last resort when non-invasive methods fail to provide relief.
Vertebroplasty, in which a "bone cement" called methylmethacrylate is injected into the fractured vertebrae, can stabilize the bone and help alleviate pain. Dr. Raj Rao explains the procedure.
Numbness or tingling is not always serious, but can result from a number of possible underlying conditions. In these two cases, Dr. Julie Mitchell recommends further assessment.
Half of all Caucasian and Asian women over 50 years of age will suffer a fracture caused by osteoporosis.
Inflammation of the brain is called encephalitis. This inflammation can produce a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, or confusion and, in extreme cases, can cause brain damage, stroke, seizures, or even death.
Meningococcal disease refers to two conditions caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitides: meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord, and meningococcemia, an infection of the blood.
The main purpose of bone mineral density testing is to measure bone strength and to diagnose osteoporosis, says Dr. Julie Mitchell. Here, she discusses the results of two tests.
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