What Are the Conditions Treated by Spine Surgeons?

By Rohit Bhatia

Spine is an important part of the body's structure. There are 33 bones individual bones in the spine and they are stacked on top of each other. The primary function of spine is to provide support to the body and allowing us to do different physical movements such as standing, bending, sitting etc. Apart from this, strength and stability is also provided by them. There are some diseases and conditions which are suffered by the body and only treated with the help of best spine surgeons.

These may be due to injuries that are suffered by the body while playing contact sports or vehicular accidents. But there are some conditions too. Best spine doctors have mentioned the following conditions -

• Sciatica - It is a common condition which is felt by the leg. It originates from the lower back and travels down to one or both the legs. It is caused by a herniated disc or spur in the bone which is pressing on the nerve. It usually affects one side of the body.
• Scoliosis - It is a disorder in which the shape of the spine becomes slightly disfigured. There is occurrence of tilting in one side. It occurs during the growing age just before puberty. Most of the cases are not painful but people with severe scoliosis can feel pain and discomfort.
• Spinal Stenosis - in simple terms, it is the narrowing of the spinal canal. It can either be cervical or lumbar spinal stenosis. This condition adds pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves present within spine. Older people are commonly diagnosed with this as there is wear and tear of the spine.
• Degenerative Disk Disease - it is also known as osteoarthritis. It usually happens in the neck or lower back. It is the breakdown of the intervertebral disc leading to hernia. The most common symptom is pain which is caused as the spine loses flexibility and the bone spurs adds pressure on the nerve root.

Spine surgery hospitals are done with the help of the following surgeries -
• Spinal Fusion - spinal fusion is the common method which is provided by the surgeons. It is considered as a welding process in which in which two different painful vertebrae are joined together into a single solid bone. The main aim of this procedure is to remove any motion between the vertebrae. For additional leg pain, you can also be suggested laminectomy. After the procedure, there is some pain which is a natural part of the healing process. It may take several months before your spine is fully healed.
• Lumbar Discectomy - It is a minimally invasive surgery which is performed in spine surgery hospitals. It is done to fix a disc in the lower back. Instead of using a large incision, small incisions are made in the body. The outer wall of the disc which sits between the each vertebra dries out and weakens with age and injury. A small tube is inserted through the back. Tiny small tools are inserted through the tube to remove a part of the disc. You can go home the same or the next day.
• Spinal Disc Replacement - as the name suggests, it includes taking out the diseased spinal discs. It is a last resort for problems such as degenerative disc disease which is not responding to any other non invasive treatment. Artificial prosthesis is used in place of the diseased discs. It is preferred as a minimally invasive method as it is done with several small incisions instead of a long one.

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Conditions-Treated-by-Spine-Surgeons?&id=9959582

Does Sitting for Long Hours Cause Sciatica?

From zliving.com

An ache or tingling that runs down the back and possibly all the way through the legs may be an indication of sciatic nerve pain. The condition, also known as sciatica, is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body.
In recent times, there has been an increase in the cases of sciatic pain and this could be because many of us spend a fair share of the day sitting. To avoid or reduce the occurrence of sciatic nerve pain, it is advised to use an ergonomic chair, especially if your work involves long hours of sitting; getting up and stretching every hour or so is recommended too.

Causes and Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is caused by a compressed sciatic nerve; this compression can occur due to the herniation of the lumbar disc and other conditions like:

• Irritation of the nerve from adjacent bones
• Tumours
• Internal bleeding
• Degenerative arthritis
• Infections
• Piriformis syndrome
• Spondylolisthesis
• Pregnancy

Sciatic nerve pain is characterized by pain that radiates from the lower spine down the back of the legs causing discomfort, pain and tingling along the sciatic nerve and its branches.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sciatica

The diagnosis of sciatica involves a series of muscle tests and the following imaging tests to pinpoint the cause of sciatica:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Spinal X-ray to determine the presence of tumors
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan

Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition, which means that its treatment begins with identifying the root cause of the pain.

Here are some common treatment strategies that many people follow:

• Home remedies likes stretching, simple exercises, alternating hot and cold packs, over-the-counter pain medications and rest
• Physical therapy for sciatica pain that may last for more than a week
• More aggressive treatments like prescription pain medications or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Natural remedies, acupuncture and massage to relieve pain and inflammation

Maintaining a good posture is essential for preventing back pain and related conditions. It is also essential to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. Individuals with sciatica may also benefit from yoga, which offers numerous poses for maintaining good posture.

The content of this Website is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.

https://www.zliving.com/health/diseases-conditions/sciatic-nerve-pain-99948/