Suburban Orthopaedics

Understanding the Anatomy of the Spine

Many people don’t consider the anatomy of their spine until they start having back and neck issues. The spine is an incredibly complex part of the central nervous system that runs from the base of the brain to the conus medullaris in the lower back. An orthopaedic surgeon needs intimate knowledge of the spine in order to provide relief for patients who are experiencing back pain. Here is what you need to know about the anatomy of your spine:

Vertebrae

Your spine contains 33 small bones called vertebrae, which are divided into four sections based on where they are located in the spine. There are seven cervical vertebrae, which are located in your neck. The next set of vertebrae is called the thoracic vertebrae. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae, and these are located in your upper back and attached to your rib cage. Below the thoracic vertebrae are the five lumbar vertebrae in your lower back. You also have five sacral vertebrae, which are located in your pelvis.

Discs

Your vertebrae are cushioned with discs. These discs absorb shock when your spine moves so that the bones don’t rub against each other. Disc problems are at the root of many painful orthopaedic conditions. The discs tend to deteriorate with age and illness, which allows the vertebrae to bump together, causing pain.

Nerves

The spine contains 31 nerve and root pairs. These correspond with specific vertebrae in each section of the spine. Sometimes, discs bulge and press against these nerves, causing back pain. This problem can sometimes make orthopaedic surgery necessary.

Your spine is extremely complex, which is why you should always trust its care to a specialist like the orthopaedic experts at Suburban Orthopaedics. We offer complete orthopaedic care, including physical therapy, pain management, and surgical procedures. Call our Bartlett clinic today at (888) 876-0117 to schedule a consultation.

What to Expect from Total Disc Replacement

Total disc replacement is a type of orthopaedic surgery that is sometimes used as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery to relieve back pain. Spinal fusion surgery, while effective, is associated with complications, including decreased mobility and potential damage to neighboring discs. Disc replacement surgery reduces these complications while achieving similar levels of success. Here is what you need to know about this orthopaedic surgery option.

What Is Total Disc Replacement?

In disc replacement surgery, a damaged disc is removed from the spine and replaced with an artificial disc. The artificial disc is usually made up of two metal plates with a plastic spacer in between. After surgery, your spine naturally compresses the artificial disc as it would any of your spinal discs, and it is eventually fused to the bones in your spine.

What Is Recovery from the Surgery Like?

In most cases, recovery from total disc replacement is shorter than with spinal fusion surgery. Most patients are discharged from the hospital within a day of their surgery, after they’ve had a chance to meet with physical therapists and occupational therapists to learn how to move without injuring the surgical site.

In most cases, patients can return to work within weeks of the procedure, as long as their pain level is sufficiently managed. They must usually avoid light physical activity and moderate lifting for about three months after surgery and contact sports and heavy lifting until their orthopaedic surgeon says that they are fully recovered.

What Is The Success Rate?

Patients report a high level of satisfaction with total disc replacement surgery. The procedure’s success rate is comparable to spinal fusion surgery, but many patients prefer disc replacement because of the faster recovery.

Is total disc replacement the right orthopaedic treatment for your back pain? Only a doctor can say for sure. Contact Suburban Orthopaedics today at (888) 876-0117 to schedule an appointment, and let one of our orthopaedic surgeons help you beat your back pain for good. We offer a full range of orthopaedic care, including sports medicine and physical therapy.

How to Alleviate Neck Pain

Stress takes many physiological tolls, and one of the most common places people feel stress-related pain is in the neck. Neck pain is also frequently caused by typing on a computer all day and traumatic injuries. If your neck is feeling tired and sore, a simple stretch may help alleviate some of the pressure.

In this video, learn a quick and easy stretch you can do any time you’re feeling an ache in your neck. You’ll see a physical therapist perform the stretch, and find out how long to hold the stretch and how many repetitions to do for maximum relief.

If you have chronic or severe neck pain, contact the doctors of Suburban Orthopaedics. Our physical therapy, pain management techniques, and orthopaedic surgery can get you out of pain for good. Call us now at (888) 876-0117 to schedule an appointment.

Learn More About Back And Neck Pain Management With These Resources

If you enjoyed our recent blogs on common sports injuries, check out the resources below. You’ll find even more guidance on how to deal with your back and neck pain, as well as tips to prevent future injury. To schedule an appointment with a specialist in Bartlett, contact Suburban Orthopaedics at (888) 876-0117 today.

• The Scoliosis Research Society answers common scoliosis questions on their website.
• Would you like to learn more about scoliosis? If so, take a look at this guide from the Mayo Clinic.
• Head over to FDA.gov to read an official profile on what the X-Stop IPD system can do to relieve symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Despite the fact that millions of people are affected by back pain everyday, there are many myths surrounding the condition. Check out this page from CBSNews.com to get the facts.
• Physical therapy can be used to aid in the recovery of a herniated disc. Find out more about this condition and how physical therapy is used to promote healing on this page from the American Physical Therapy Association.

Download this iPhone App to Learn about Common Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can be difficult to avoid, regardless of how active or experienced you are as an athlete. The slightest change in your step could lead to a painful accident on the field, and the unpredictable actions of your opponents could result in unintended injury.

No matter what sport you play, it’s important that you’re able to recognize your injury so that you can promote proper recovery. Download the iPhone app SportsInjuryClinic for instant access to information about over 100 sports injuries. The easy-to-use interface provides information on symptoms and treatment options for a variety of sports injuries, with pictures included.

When you need help recovering from an injury, visit the specialists at Suburban Orthopaedics in Bartlett. You can visit us online or call (888) 876-0117 to schedule your consultation.