A herniated disc, damaged disc, or bones spurs in the neck can lead to pressure being placed on the spinal nerves in the neck. These pinched nerves can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the neck and arms. Fortunately, there are treatment options available for this debilitating condition, such as ACDF surgery. When nonsurgical…
A lumbar herniated disc often means you are living with pain in the back, arms, or legs. Usually, a combination of physical therapy and pain medication can be an effective treatment. However, if noninvasive treatments have failed to provide significant relief after a few months, surgical procedures, such as microdiscectomy or discectomy may be considered.…
Pain in the right side of the neck is common among millions of Americans. Sometimes pain in the right side of your neck can be due to something as simple as falling asleep in an odd position, while other times it can be caused by a more serious condition in the cervical region of your…
Intervertebral discs provide the necessary cushion to facilitate movement and flexibility in the spine. They can be found between each pair of vertebrae — from way down in the lumbar region of the spine, all the way to the top of cervical spine. While most herniated discs affect the lumbar region, individuals suffering from a…
There’s nothing more rejuvenating than a good night’s sleep, so when back pain keeps you from getting the rest you need to be your best, it’s natural to start exploring options for treatment. Back pain that strikes in the middle of the night can be caused by many things, but one of the most common…
Occasionally an individual may experience neck pain as a result of physical exertion or sleeping in an uncomfortable position. However, if your pain persists, you may be suffering from something more serious. If you are experiencing pain in the left side of your neck on a regular basis, there can be a number of causes…
An intervertebral disc is a ligament that joins the vertebral bones, and it is a strong ligament. These discs are shock-absorbing cushions between the vertebra of the spine. An intervertebral disc has a strong outer ring of fibers that are called the annulus fibrosis and a soft center that is called the nucleus pulposus. The…
When one of the intervertebral discs in your spine is worn down, whether through natural causes or injury, it can become sunken and lose its ability to support its original height. As a result, the fibrous outer wall of the disc degenerates, causing the disc to collapse along the nerves of the spine. This is…
Everything changes if you’re trying to push through the pain caused by a herniated disc. Sleeping becomes a real challenge and the simplest of physical activities can leave you feeling broken. It’s enough to make anyone feel desperate for immediate relief, but should you consider surgery for your herniated disc? As you get older, it’s…
Ever since William Williams Keen became the first brain surgeon in the United States, neurosurgeons have been treating patients for injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders of the brain and spinal cord. Although much has changed since Keen performed one of the first brain tumor removals in 1888, the importance of neurosurgeons hasn’t diminished in the…
Function of Discs in Back The discs in your back serve three very important purposes. First, they help absorb shock on the spine. Second, they function in a manner comparable to ligaments, holding the vertebrae of the spine in place. And third, they are cartilaginous joints that improve flexibility and mobility. When you discover a…
Today, it seems like just about everyone succumbs to chronic back pain at some point in their life. Whether it’s tightness in your lower back, sharp pain that shoots down your spine, or something else entirely, the spine is a vulnerable component of the human anatomy that undergoes significant wear and tear as the years…