The halo vest consists of a halo ring and vest. The halo ring is the part that encircles the head and is fixed to it by means of pins that are inserted in the head. It is also known as “halo ring” or “halo crown,”. It is a device that immobilizes the neck by restraining […]
Spine
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome – Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Failed back surgery syndrome refers to persistent or recurrent back pain after one or more surgical procedures on the spine, such as a discectomy, laminectomy, and lumbosacral fusion. A spine surgery in the lumbar region is mainly done for To decompress a nerve root To stabilize a painful joint. Back pain, radicular pain and functional […]
Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome
Thoracolumbar Junction Syndrome is characterized by pain that may originate at the thoracolumbar junction. Thoracolumbar junction syndrome is also called Maigne Syndrome or Dorsal Ramus Syndrome or posterior ramus syndrome. It is caused by the activation of the spinal nerve of the thoracolumbar region. In the absence of any radiological signs, the diagnosis is made […]
Spinal Fusion – Indications, Types and Complications
Spinal fusion is a surgery done to fuse two or more vertebrae. Fusing means two bones are permanently placed together so there is no longer movement between them. The term is technically similar to arthrodesis. Spinal fusion is usually done along with other surgical procedures of the spine. Other terms for spinal fusion are spondylodesis […]
Cervical Spine Instability Causes, Presentation and Treatment
Cervical spine instability is defined as the loss of the ability of the cervical spine under physiological loads to maintain relationships between vertebrae in such a way, that the spinal cord or nerve roots are not damaged or irritated and deformity or pain does not develop. Thus, cervical spine instability means one or more vertebrae […]
Flexion-Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine
What are Flexion-Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine Flexion-extension xrays of cervical spine are dynamic x-ray studies of the neck. The cervical spine flexion-extension x-rays are taken in the lateral position and show seven cervical vertebrae and their relations. These x-rays of the cervical spine are helpful in finding instability of the cervical spine that is […]
Blood Supply of Spinal Cord
The blood supply of spinal cord and the vertebral canal is very important from surgical and clinical point of view in addition to its vital importance. The spinal cord is located within the vertebral canal. The blood supply of spinal cord is a complex arrangement of arteries and veins and is responsible for adequate circulation […]
Scheuermann Kyphosis or Scheuermann’s Disease or Juvenile Kyphosis
Scheuermann disease or Scheuermann kyphosis is a disorder of childhood that results in rounding of the upper back due to wedge wedge-shaped vertebrae, resulting in kyphosis. Patients have an increased kyphosis in the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine with associated backache and localized changes in the vertebral bodies. The wedging should be more than 5 degrees […]
Spondylosis – Definition, Causes and Treatment
Spondylosis as a medical term denotes degenerative changes that occur in the spine as a natural aging process for some other reason. The term degeneration means the wear and tear that accumulates. The bone spurs and degeneration of intervertebral discs are examples of degeneration. The term comes from the Ancient Greek word ‘spondylos’ which [plural […]
Piriformis Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment
Piriformis syndrome is radicular pain [commonly called sciatica] that occurs due to sciatic nerve entrapment caused by the piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated by the piriformis muscle. The symptoms are pain, tingling, and numbness in the buttocks and along the path of the sciatic nerve descending down the lower thigh and […]