CONDITIONS

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Do you have a spinal condition that’s causing you chronic pain intense enough to interfere with your life or day-to-day activities? Are you afraid you’ll never be able to get your pain under control or that it might continue to worsen as you age? 

WELL, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. 

Many people with spinal disorders feel frustrated, confused, and helpless about their conditions. As many as 500,000 people suffer from some form of spinal injury each year. The good news is that you can ease your concerns and fears by gaining a better understanding of your condition. 

 

At NJ Spine and Orthopedic, we work to help you understand your symptoms, diagnose your condition and inform you of the various treatments. Below is an overview of the most common types of spine conditions, as well as other orthopedic conditions.

woman receiving evaluation for shoulder pain

5 Basic Types of Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder problems can limit you from participating in the activities you love the most. In addition, shoulder pain can affect your job performance, making simple tasks—like lifting a bag of groceries—painful. While some people who deal with shoulder pain benefit from conservative treatments, like resting the area or physical therapy, others may require more extensive forms of treatment. In particular, arthroscopic shoulder surgery has helped many people who suffer from shoulder problems find relief. This minimally invasive procedure is a lot less damaging than open surgery, and as such, usually results in a quicker recovery time. So what is arthroscopy? And, what are some of the shoulder conditions that this procedure helps? Use this guide to understand the shoulder joint, its typical injuries, and how shoulder arthroscopy can help you! Understanding the Shoulder Joint We often don’t understand how much our shoulders do for us until we injure one. After all, our shoulder joints allow for more motion than any other joints in our body. To fully understand shoulder problems, first, you need to know what makes the shoulder such a complex joint. A joint is an area where two bones are attached by connective tissue and cartilage. These soft tissues, which hold the bones together, also allow for functional movements—like lifting that bag of groceries. The shoulder joint is where the top of your upper arm bone (humerus) fits into the rounded socket of your shoulder blade (scapula). This type of joint is known as a ball-and-socket joint. Specifically, the ball of the humerus slides around the smooth socket of the scapula. These bones are bound together by a complex system of soft tissues, including the following structures: Labrum: Fibrous cartilage that forms a gasket around the socket to cushion the shoulder joint and add stability. Shoulder Capsule: Ligaments that hold the joint together. This includes a thin membrane known as the synovium, which makes fluid to help lubricate the joint. Rotator Cuff: A group of four tendons that surround the shoulder capsule and keep your humerus centered and stable. This cuff covers the top of the humerus and attaches it to the shoulder blade. Bursa: A small sac between the rotator cuff and a small bone on top of your shoulder known as the acromion. This sac produces fluid to lubricate the rotator cuff tendons during arm movements. When any of these areas become injured, pain and inflammation can occur. In some more severe cases, an arthroscopy may be suggested by your doctor or orthopedic surgeon to diagnose and repair the problem. What is a Shoulder Arthroscopy? An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that helps a doctor view, diagnose, and treat various problems that affect a joint. During an arthroscopy, a tiny camera, known as an arthroscope, displays images on a nearby television screen. These images help guide the orthopedic surgeon as he or she uses tiny surgical instruments to repair the damage. Shoulder Arthroscopy vs. Open Shoulder Surgery An arthroscopy is much less invasive than open

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woman receiving chiropractic care for sciatica

What Does Sciatica Feel Like?

Branching down the path that leads between your lower back and into each leg exists the sciatic nerve. If you experience pain that radiates along this area, then you may have a condition known as sciatica. In most cases, these symptoms are only felt on one side of the body (a symptom known as unilateral pain). Often, other conditions like herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis lead to sciatic nerve compression. These ailments are related to sciatica because each condition can result in the abnormal application of pressure to various points along the sciatic nerve. The common thread between cases of sciatica is that patients experience similar symptoms, like pain, inflammation, and numbness. Sometimes, this pain is quite severe. But, luckily, most cases of sciatica can be resolved with nonsurgical treatments. In more serious cases that involve significant weakness or loss of bladder/bowel control, the patient may need surgery.       Sciatica Resources The Sciatic Nerve Common Types of Sciatic Pain Common Causes of Sciatic Nerve Compression Risk Factors for Sciatica Treatments for Sciatica Contact an Experienced Specialist The Sciatic Nerve Throughout the entire body, there is not a single nerve larger than the sciatic nerve. This structure is the product of individual nerve roots that branch out from the lower spine. In cases of sciatica, this structure becomes irritated when pressure is applied to a point near the beginning of the nerve. More specifically, the sciatic nerve starts at segment L3, which extends from the lower back. In fact, at every level of the lumbar spine, nerve roots exit from the canal’s internal cavity. Outside of the spinal canal, these nerve roots weave together into the structure known as the sciatic nerve. The nerve then runs down through the buttocks and the anterior side of each leg. Additionally, the sciatic nerve branches out at different points along its path, innervating different parts of the leg. This includes the thigh, calf, foot, and toes. Because this is such a large nerve, there are many different locations from which sciatica may originate. These locations play a determining factor in the exact nature of the symptoms that will be experienced by patients. Common Types of Sciatic Pain When a patient is experiencing pain associated with sciatica, a doctor is usually able to trace the irritation point from the nature of the symptoms. The most sciatica pain symptoms include: Pain/numbness in the lower leg and foot: Sciatica of the L3-L4 level is usually the culprit of these discomforts. Additionally, it is not uncommon for patients to experience muscular weakness. Some patients may also find that they are not able to extend their foot upward. In other cases, patients with this form of sciatica will have a diminished knee-jerk reflex. Weakness in the extension of the big toe and ankle: This form of sciatica occurs in the L4-L5 segment. Sometimes, doctors refer to these symptoms as foot drop (weakening of muscles that flex the ankle and toes). Patients with this form of

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woman with spinal infection

October Sepsis Awareness: Spinal Infections

Infections occur when bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms invade the body. Some infections clear up on their own. Unfortunately, some can cause severe or even life-threatening conditions. Compared to the common cold and flu, spinal infections are relatively rare. When someone gets a spinal infection, however, some form of treatment is often necessary. Use this guide from NJ Spine and Ortho to understand the causes and risk factors of a spinal infection. You will also discover what treatment options are available to get your life back on track. Understanding the Spine and Spinal Infections To better understand spinal infections, it helps to familiarize yourself with the spine. The spine provides support and balance to the body during movements. It also helps protect the spinal cord, nerve roots, and vital organs. The spine consists of 33 bones called vertebrae. They interlock to form the spinal column. These bones are divided into 5 regions: the cervical (or neck) region, the thoracic (or upper back) region, the lumbar ( or lower back) region, the sacral region (located near the hips), and the coccygeal (or tailbone) region. An opening runs through the middle of these bones known as the spinal canal. The spinal canal houses the spinal cord—a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the brain with the rest of the body. In addition, the spinal cord allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the nervous system. In between these vertebrae are circular discs. These intervertebral discs help to protect the bones of the spine by absorbing the shock of movement. How the Spine Becomes Infected A spinal infection normally occurs when a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection from another area of the body reaches the spine. Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium known for causing several illnesses like pneumonia and strep throat, is the most common pathogen to cause spinal infections. In fact, the methicillin-resistant strain of this bacterium, known as MRSA can account for up to 60 percent of spinal infections. Another bacterium found in the body’s natural flora, Staphylococcus epidermidis, has found to be the cause of spinal infections for those who recently received implants or pacemakers. Types of Spinal Infections Infections are typically known by the area of the spine they affect. These include: Vertebral Osteomyelitis: The most common spinal infection, which usually affects the lower back region of the spine. This infection attacks the bones of the spine, known as vertebrae. Discitis: Inflammation in the intervertebral disc space. Swelling in this area may put pressure on the discs, which in turn leads to pain. This can also cause swelling in the surrounding joints and soft tissues. Meningitis: An inflammation of delicate membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord. Viral meningitis is usually resolved without treatment. Bacterial meningitis can be contagious and even life-threatening. Spinal Epidural Abscess: An infection that develops in the space around the soft tissues which surround the spinal cord and nerve roots. The body uses white blood cells to fight the infection which causes pus

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