Aging and Seniors Spine Condition Center

Definition and Diagnosis

Aging Spine: Older Doesn't Mean More Painful

Time, old injuries, and bad habits take their toll on the spine as you age. But new treatments and better diagnostic tests can help keep back pain at bay throughout an entire lifetime. Learn what causes disc degeneration and spinal stenosis.

• Back Pain - A Universal Language
• Lumbar Back Sprains and Strains
• Arthritis and Your Spine: Introduction
• Osteoarthritis: Degenerative Spinal Joint Disease
• Spondylosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: What is it?
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: Description and Diagnosis
• Herniated Discs: Definition, Progression, and Diagnosis

Cervical Conditions

• Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorders
  Degenerative disease of the cervical spine may involve the discs or the facet joints. With aging and life’s demands, both structures may begin to breakdown affecting the normal flexible architecture of the neck.
• Guide to Degenerative Diseases of the Cervical Spine
• Spinal Stenosis: Lumbar and Cervical
• Cervical Pain: Description and Diagnosis

Thoracic Conditions

• Medical Miracles: Osteoporosis Can be Prevented
  An excellent video presentation from the Cleveland Clinic that tells you what you need to know today about preventing and treating osteoporosis.
• Osteoporosis and Compression Fractures
• What is Osteoporosis?
• Myths and Misconceptions about Osteoporosis
• High Thoracic Pathological Fractures
• Kyphosis: Description and Diagnosis
• In-Depth Review of Kyphosis

Lumbar Conditions

• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  Lumbar spinal stenosis is a result of aging and everyday wear and tear on the spine. Though these changes happen to all of us, not everyone will experience the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).
• Sciatica: Symptoms and Possible Causes
• Degenerative Disc Disease and Low Back Pain
• Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine
• Facet Joints and Low Back Pain

Diagnostic Steps

• Getting the Most from Your Visit to a Spine Specialist - Video
  Video interview featuring Mary Rodts, M.S., M.S.A., C.N.P., O.N.C., F.A.A.N. provides patients tips about getting the maximum benefit from a visit with a spine specialist.
• Neurology Basics: Neurological Exams
• Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Measurement
• Diagnostic Tools: X-Ray, Bone Scan, MRI, CT Scan
• Spinal Anatomy Index

Non-Surgical Treatment

Spine Centers: An Attractive Option for Patients

A Spine Center is a freestanding surgical center designed specifically for outpatient spine surgery. For people with certain spinal conditions, all of their medical needs can be met under one roof.

• Prescription Medications and You
• Medication and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
• Drugs Used to Treat Pain: Opioids - Narcotics
• Prescription Drugs for Back and Neck Pain
• Chiropractic Management of Cervical Bulging, "Slipped", Herniated and Ruptured Discs
• Chiropractic Index
• Spinal Bracing
• Can Physical Therapy Help Me?
• Physical Therapy: TENS, Ultrasound, Heat and Cryotherapy
• Physical Therapy - Evaluation and Treatment for Back Pain
• Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• I Still Have Back Pain! Now What?
• Nerve Blocks: Medication Injections
• Spinal Injection / Nerve Block Therapies for Back Pain

Surgical Solutions

Spine Surgery: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are scheduled to have spinal surgery, one way to relieve your anxiety about the procedure is to learn all you can about the procedure.

• Surgery: Should I or Shouldn't I?
• Anesthesia - Questions and Answers
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: The Benefits
• Cervical Spine Surgery: An Overview
• What Should I Know About Lumbar Spinal Fusion?

Surgical Procedures

• Spine Specialists On-Call: Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures -- Restoring Spinal Stability and Quality of Life
  Kyphoplasty is a newer technique having evolved from vertebroplasty used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the spine.
• Medical Management of Osteoporosis and Vertebral Compression Fracture
• Kyphoplasty: Reaching New Heights for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures
• Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty: Treatments for Spinal Compression Fractures
• Vertebral Fractures and Vertebroplasty
• Vertebroplasty: A Case Study
• Vertebroplasty: Effective Treatment for Painful Vertebral Compressive Fractures
• Treatment Options for Ruptured (Herniated) Discs in the Low Back
• Lumbar Cage Fusions
• Advancements in Biotechnology and Gene Therapy
• Decompressive Lumbar Laminectomy
• Nucleoplasty® Radio Wave Injection Offers Quick, Lasting Relief - Without Drugs
• Minimally Invasive TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)

Video Presentations

• Anterior Cervical Fusion Spine Chat Video
  This Spine Chat video discusses Anterior Cervical Fusion. Dr. Regis W. Haid is interviewed by Jeremy Longhurst.
• Artificial Discs: Spine Chat Video
• Lumbar Laminotomy and Microdiscectomy Video
• Spinal Stenosis Surgery Video
• Video Index - Complete list of on-site video

Post Operative Care

• What is Post-Operative Care?
  Post-operative recovery starts in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This unit is dedicated to meet the patient’s needs thereby minimizing post-operative complications.
• Pain Control after Surgery - Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)
• Discharge Instructions for Vertebroplasty
• Discharge Instructions After Spine Surgery

Recovery

Surgery Recovery: From Hospital to Home

After any surgical procedure, the body needs times to restore damaged tissues and return to normal. The first part of recovery begins in the hospital.

• Nutritional Supplements to Build Bone and Help Prevent Osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis: Vitamin D and Vitamin K
• Vitamins Supplements and Herbs
• Cervical Chondrosarcoma: Discussion of Treatment Options and Recommendations
• Aging and Exercise: What You Need to Know to Stay Fit
• Importance of Strength Training for Older Adults
• Exercise and Wellness Index
• Mattresses Matter: Ergonomic Guidelines
• Ergonomics - Take Steps Towards Prevention
• Maintain a Healthy Spine Using Good Body Mechanics
• Fall Prevention Benefits All Age Groups