Tag Archives: Degenerative Disc Disease
Although, many professionals in spinal medicine were hopeful of Stryker’s PMA for the OP-1 Putty to use in uninstrumented posterolateral fusion as a treatment method for lumbar spondylolisthesis. However, when it came before the FDA in 2009 it was not approved. Stryker sought FDA approval based on the 2 years of clinical data and 36 months of CT scan and reoperation rates gathered through the company’s study.
When it came before the FDA advisory board they denied the approval base don the results made in the trial, which suggested that the documentation was not enough. This was the second denial of the PMA application which started back in 2006, and where again the data just didn’t offer enough support for the product approval. The FDA also suggested there were a number of other issues which also affected the approval process – these included: Continue reading
Traditional back surgery is risky and involves a long recovery period. Many people never get the full mobility back. In recent years, another, better option has become widely known. This is commonly known as endoscopic spine surgery.
Endoscopic back surgery uses specialized video feeds to access damaged areas of the back and perform repairs. Because of the use of an endoscope for visualization, the incisions are smaller. Due to the fact that surrounding tissue does not need damaged, recovery tends to be easier and take less time. Both the smaller incisions and the lack of damage to surrounding tissue mean that, typically, the patient is also in much less pain.
This operation does not require general anesthesia. A much safer process, known as conscious sedation, is often employed. Conscious sedation uses local anesthesia along with IV sedation to put the patient into a low level of sleep. The pre-operative procedures are the same and the patient is still constantly monitored. The IV sedation is given through a pump and medication can be adjusted to keep the patient calm but minimally conscious.
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Spine Functional anatomy includes the vertebrae that make up your spine which contains 33 bony vertebrae. The vertebrae are responsible for allowing you to bend, twist, stand upright and bend whilst protecting the spinal cord from injury.
The lumbar part of the spine which is at the lower portion of your back consists of five vertebrae named L1-L5. The lumbar vertebrae are larger than others because their main function is to carry your weight. Your natural spinal curves work together to absorb shock and maintain balance allowing a full range of motion.
The core stability of your body is controlled by several parts of your body. Often thought to just involve the stomach, abdomen and pelvis the most important part of your stability and posture is maintained by your lumbar spine. The strength of the muscles and bones in your core are imperative to your ability to stabilize body movement providing the strength needed for everything from daily activities to active sports. Continue reading
Millions of people suffer from back pain every day and seek out Houston back pain treatment. For some it is simply from straining themselves too hard at work or during a sporting event, others have been involved in accidents and some may have Spinal Stenosis, Disc Herniation or Degenerative Disc Disease.
Your first step towards relief should always to be to consult a physician for a thorough exam, but before you embark on any solution you should be aware of all of your Houston back pain treatment choices. Let’s take a look at a few of the common options.
Physical Therapy
For many, Houston back pain treatment can be as simple as physical therapy. Often this is the first course of action many take in their search for Houston back pain treatment. However, while physical therapy may be all some patients need, there are many others who need a more lasting solution. Continue reading
The spine is a complex and wonderful structural support system for the body. It is made up of the vertebra and lamina that provide protection for the spinal cord and support for the body, the vertebral discs that cushion the area between the bones, the ligaments 
which allow movement and provide flexibility, and the spinal cord which houses the nerves and lies in the spinal canal. As miraculous as this arrangement is, there are times when things go wrong, resulting in neck, low back pain, or leg pain, and loss of range of motion.
The cervical spine begins at the base of the skull and ends at the top of the thoracic spine. It contains seven vertebrae and eight pairs of cervical nerves. These vertebrae are smaller than other spinal vertebrae, but have a more complex system of ligaments, tendons, and muscles in order to both support the skull and allow for a much more diverse range of movement for the head. This complex anatomy and large range of motion makes the cervical spine particularly to degenerative problems and can lead to chronic pain. Continue reading
