What to know when a lumbar disc surgery is advised.

Lumbar disc prolapse causing significant symptoms of back and radiating leg pain is usually treated with medication and physiotherapy. Although more than 90% of them get relieved without surgery, those with persistent, severe symptoms or with nerve function deficits may need surgical treatment. An endoscopic discectomy or micro-discectomy is the most commonly advised spine surgery…

Work from home – is it good or bad for your spine?

Work related back pain is a common reason for sick leave all over the world. With a number of people working long hours in sitting posture on desks and in front of computers, there is a rise in prevalence of significant back or neck pain, even among the youngsters in the prime of their health….

5 Most important habits to keep your spine strong and healthy.

Back and neck pain is a very common symptom experienced by almost 80 percent of adult population at some point in their lifetime. In some, it can be severe and chronic or recurrent leading to frequent sick leaves from work and may be the reason behind change or loss of jobs. Follow these most important…

Osteoporosis: Early detection is the key to prevent fractures.

“Osteo” means bone and “porosis” means porous. Osteoporotic bone has less bone mass per unit volume. Post-menopausal women are most commonly affected although men beyond 70 years of age are also affected less commonly. People with severe liver or kidney function impairment or those with endocrine problems are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Smoking can…

Cervical disc prolapse in a surgeon, causing hand muscle weakness: A treatment dilemma!

A few months ago, a well accomplished busy surgeon walked into my clinic with severe radicular pain in her left arm associated with numbness in the thumb and index finger. The symptoms were troubling her for a couple of weeks and symptoms had made it difficult for her to operate. She is an ardent runner…

Coccygodynia: The tail bone pain and treatment options.

Coccyx is the bottom most part of the spine. It is a remnant of the tail that vanished during evolution of the humans from the apes. It consists of four or five small pieces of bone forming the lower most tip of the spine and it is attached to sacrum at the sacro-coccygeal joint. Pain…

Spinal cord injury can have a devastating effect on ones life and family.

Prevention is the best option.! There was a young engineer, 24 years, just passed out of his college, who had been brought to the emergency room after he was injured when the tractor he was driving  fell into a gorge on the fields. He has not able to move his legs and felt that his…

Cervical disc replacement: The idea and the present status.

Cervical disc degeneration and prolapse can cause nerve root compression and result in neck pain, pain radiating down the arms often associated with numbness and weakness in particular group of muscles supplied by that nerve root. Spinal cord compression also can happen in some, leading to more serious neurological problems. Though many of those with…

Degenerative scoliosis: The manifestations and treatment options.

Degenerative scoliosis is an abnormal sideward curve in the lower back that develops as an end result of age related degeneration of multiple segments in the lumbar spine. So, all those with a degenerative scoliosis are usually in the elderly age group. The degenerative curve develops due to asymmetrical/ unequal wear and tear changes in…

Cauda equina syndrome. Explained through the story of a young techie.!

It was at the end of a long day and I was seeing the last patient in my clinic. He was a young IT professional who came in dragging his feet, with support of two people. He complained of inability to walk independently since that morning, numbness in both the feet and legs and hadn’t…