Navigating Healthcare: A Guide to Modern Medicine and Wellness

Monthly Archives: February 2014

Causes of Back Pain in Men

Back pain is a very common problem for many individuals, especially among adults. However, it is much less likely that a man will seek the help of a spine surgeon than a woman will. Even though men are much more prone to developing back pain since their work commonly requires some form of manual labor, they seek medical attention less often. There are many different causes of back pain in men; some are as natural as aging while other causes can need surgery to correct. It is very important for men to seek medical attention of a spine surgeon to rule out anything serious. Here are some of the most common causes of back pain in men.

What is Corpectomy?

A spinal specialist may recommend that a patient undergo a corpectomy in some instances. A corpectomy is a surgical procedure on the spine. Corpectomy in its simplest sense means “remove the body.” In this case there is a removal of vertebrae. A spinal surgeon will remove bones or discs to relieve the pressure on a patient’s nerves and spinal cord. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove portions of the bony sections which comprise the spinal column as well as discs that may be adjacent to the section being removed. Once the NJ spinal surgeon removes the discs and bones, there will be an empty space which will need to be reconstructed. The bones will be replaced through a bone graft or bone substitutes. In some cases there is missing tissue that is causing bone to rub against bone. The tissue must be reconstructed in order to prevent further damage. There are two basic reasons that a spine specialist might suggest a corpectomy for a patient: to remove pressure that is being put on the spinal cord or to stop any abnormal movement or motion between the vertebrae.

What is Disc Arthroplasty?

Disc ArthroplastyOne of the most common complaints of patients is back pain. In most cases it is temporary and healing is quick. However, there are times when it interferes with an individual’s daily life to the point that it disrupts routine activities including those which are work related or recreational. In some cases, spine surgery is the only option for relieving the pain. In many cases severe and consistent pain in the back is caused by degenerated discs. Traditionally, lumbar fusion or cervical fusion were the only options. These surgical methods helped to a degree but also had some negative end results. Disc Arthroplasty can now be used to relieve a patient’s pain while also restoring their movement to a near-normal state.

scoliosis spinal deformity

What is Sacroiliitis?

When one or both of the sacroiliac joints become inflamed it is called Sacroiliitis. The sacroiliac joints are where the lower spine connects with the pelvis. Since Sacroiliitis can cause pain in the lower back, it is often very difficult to diagnose as it can be mistaken as one of many other conditions. The pain that one experiences with Sacroiliitis can be aggravated by standing for long periods of time or by climbing stairs. There can be several components which work together to develop a treatment plan. For those who suspect they may have developed Sacroiliitis, it is important to discuss their condition with a NJ spine specialist.

About Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain
Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain can be more than just physically taxing; it can also wear on a person’s emotions. When one can gain a clear understanding of how chronic pain is affecting them, it is more likely that they can talk to a doctor or a spinal surgeon who can help alleviate some of the pain, or at least make it more manageable. Patients who grasp some level of understanding their chronic back pain are more likely to benefit in terms of finding emotional support, are more effective at finding a sustainable pain management plan and of being able to cope with the pain. Aside from the most obvious problems associated with chronic back pain, there are some areas that are worth knowing about. For those who recognize that they are dealing with chronic back pain, it is important to talk to a NJ spinal surgeon to see what types of treatment options or pain management techniques are likely to be most effective in their particular situation.

How to Pick a Spine Surgeon

Patients who are faced with selecting a qualified spine surgeon may have many questions. This is perfectly normal and choosing the right surgeon is a very important step in the treatment process. There are plenty of spine surgeons in the NJ area, but how does one go about narrowing down the search and finding the one that is right for their particular situation and circumstances? There are several areas that should be considered and the answers to these questions will help individuals locate the best spine surgeon for them.

Recovering from Back Surgery

Recovering from back surgery is certainly not a pleasant experience. Like other surgeries, it will simply take time to reap the full benefits of the surgical procedure. In many cases, patients think that the recovery period is the most challenging part of having the surgical procedure done. There are several things that patients can obtain prior to having the procedure done by a spine surgeon in NJ. Accumulating these items can help speed the recovery rate and help almost immediately upon returning home from the procedure.

What is Seasonal Joint Pain?

There are a lot of people who claim that they can accurately predict changes in seasons and weather by the nature of their joint pain.  Many of those individuals who have had joint replacement surgery or have a form of arthritis state that they experience substantially more joint pain on days that are cold or rainy while they have less joint pain during the warmer seasons and dry days. Most doctors and orthopedic surgeons Livingston NJ agree that their patients tend to experience worse joint symptoms which are seasonal or change with the weather.

How to Treat Seasonal Back Pain

Many times individuals complain about experiencing back pain that is associated with drastic changes in the weather. In some cases individuals claim that they can predict cold weather is coming long before the announcement by their local weather man. There is no doubt that many people experience back pain that seems to worsen when winter sets in and especially when the temperature falls to below freezing. The question is not so much what causes seasonal back pain, as what options do we have when it strikes?

What Are The Symptoms of a Herniated Disc?

A disc in your body is the cushioning pads that are between the bones that make up your spinal cord. The purpose of these discs is to support the movement in the spinal column and to support the impact your body experiences. The discs are constructed in a way that they resemble a jelly donut because they are soft in the middle and tougher on the outsides. When the middle portion of the disc ruptures it is called herniation.

The symptoms of a herniated disc can vary depending on where the disc is and how big it is. If you are lucky, and the herniated disc is not pressed up against a nerve, you may not have any symptoms whatsoever. However, it if it pressing up against a nerve, you will experience pain, numbness, or weakness in the part of the body that the nerve is connected to. Here are different symptoms that may be signs that you have a herniated disc.