Q and A: What is degenerative disk disease?
Degenerative disk disease is a common cause of back pain. Our spinal disks wear out with age and use. About 20% of all U.S. adults have some amount of degeneration by age 65.
Ankylosing spondylitis back pain treatment
Back pain is the main symptom of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a form of arthritis that affects the spine. The pain typically affects the lower back or hips, where the spine and pelvis join up. It may get worse after periods of inactivity, such as after sleeping.
Which medications are best for treating acute low back pain?
Acute low back pain is a common cause of disability. An analysis in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research examined which non-opioid drugs are best for treating this condition.
Fractures, strains, and falls: How to prevent winter back injuries
Winter weather can be treacherous for your back. Whether it's a lumbar strain from shoveling wet, heavy snow or taking a spill on a slick sidewalk, winter conditions can seriously affect your back health.
Ankylosing spondylitis and neck pain
Usually, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) starts in the lower spine, but it can also affect the upper spine and neck. For some, the neck is where AS symptoms begin, which may cause stiffness and pain.
What to know about sacral fractures
Younger people can break their sacrum during motor vehicle accidents or serious falls. However, older people, especially those with osteoporosis, may experience fractures after minor falls.
What is a clay shoveler’s fracture?
A clay shoveler’s fracture is a rare type of fracture that occurs in the back. Because it is a relatively stable fracture, most people will not need surgery to repair the break.
Surgery for spinal stenosis linked to lower mortality and costs, compared to nonoperative treatment
For patients with spinal stenosis, operative treatment is associated with a lower risk of death and lower costs over two years, compared with nonoperative treatment, suggests a study in the February issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Noninvasive Interventions Can Reduce Spine Pain Versus Usual Care
A multidisciplinary biopsychosocial intervention or an individualized postural therapy (IPT) intervention can reduce pain-related disability at three months compared with usual care among patients with acute or subacute spine pain, according to a study published in the Dec. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
What Is Facet Hypertrophy?
Facet hypertrophy is a common problem that causes the facet joints in your spine to enlarge. New bone growth and bone spurs can also develop as the joint tries to repair the damaged cartilage. The swelling and new growth can narrow the spinal canal and compress nearby nerves, causing pain.
