Metal rods, screws and bone grafts have long been the backbone of spinal fusion surgeries — a fix for fractured spines, worn-out discs or bones that refuse to heal on their own. The hardware works. But it’s also rigid and invasive, and often leaves patients with lingering pain, stiffness and the need for follow-up surgeries down the road.
Back pain is common, but several myths about it persist. Dr., a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, describes eight of them and provides the facts.
Exercise is often recommended as a first-line treatment for a herniated disc. A herniated disc can cause many symptoms including pain, numbness, burning, and arm or leg weakness, depending on the location of the spinal disc involved.
The vertebrae are connected by multiple joints, including disks which allow the spine to move in multiple directions. Though we might think the spine should appear straight, it naturally curves forward and backward so it can perform all of its important functions. But many conditions can cause the spine to curve more than it should. This can not only lead to pain, but potentially a whole host of other health troubles too.
Lower back pain can be a symptom of obesity. This is because excess weight can increase stress on the spine. This increased stress may cause lower back pain to occur.
