A Guide to Spinal Conditions and Potential Treatment

Mother Nature is amazing and humans are the result of many generations that enabled us to evolve into what we are today. The spine is a critical part of the human skeleton and it comprises of 3 main sections, which are as follows:

1. The cervical spine – This section contains a total of 7 vertebrae that run from the base of the skull and down through the neck. This part of the spine has a natural curve inward and due to the flexibility of the cervical section of the spine, it can easily be damaged.
2. The thoracic spine – This section comprises of 12 vertebral bones, with the top 10 connected to the rib cage and the bottom 2 are attached to floating ribs. The thoracic section is quite rigid in order to offer protection to internal organs and it naturally curves toward the back.
3. The lumbar spine – The lumbar spine consists of 5 vertebrae that run through the lower back. This section has to support more weight, which means it is more prone to injury than the other 2 sections.

Carrying out an accurate spinal diagnosis

If you are suffering from back or neck pain, the best solution is to make an initial appointment with a spinal care hospital, where they have the knowledge and the equipment to carry out diagnostic testing to pinpoint the cause of the issue. In many cases, spinal intervention is the best solution and there are specialist hospitals that carry out this procedure.

Non-Invasive Treatment

The orthopedic doctor prefers to perform non-invasive treatment as opposed to surgery whenever possible, which might involve spinal manipulation.

Here are some of the procedures that a spinal care hospital would offer:

• Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
• Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF)
• Anterior cervical discectomy & fusion
• Endoscopic spine surgery
• Cervical disc replacement surgery

State of the Art Operating Theater

As you would expect, a spinal surgical theater is essential for any form of spinal surgery and the hospital you choose should be one that specialises in spinal care and treatment. Many patients are referred to such a hospital by their physician when they diagnose a spinal condition, and if you would like a professional diagnosis of a skeletal issue, search online for a leading spinal care provider.

MRI Scanning

This is often the best method to diagnose a spinal or skeletal issue and if you have tried to find the cause of chronic back pain but failed, then an MRI scan is recommended.