The vertebral column’s most important physiologic function is protecting the spinal cord, which is the main avenue for communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is ...

What is the anatomy of the spinal cord? The human spinal cord is a cylindrical structure of nerve tissue that is protected by the spinal column and composed of uniformly organized white and grey ...

Radiculopathy is the pinching of a nerve root (where nerves join/leave the spinal column). Pinching of the nerve roots can cause pain and numbness in areas controlled by that nerve. Symptoms of nerve ...

Injury to the spinal cord triggers a cascade of biological events that unfold within seconds and that proceed for months or even years. The events affect three major bodily systems: the nervous system ...

Some sciatica pain is linked to a tight piriformis muscle, explains Dr. Desai, which is a pear-shaped muscle near the hips ...

Chronic pain caused by arthritis, sciatica, cancer and diabetes has higher visibility due to sharp increase in soldiers' amputations in the Iraq War. Called "phantom limb pain," neuropathic pain is ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... “Will I walk again?” It’s a question that both patients and doctors ask, and the answer is never a simple one. But the latest treatments are upending ...

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Steinhoff, MD Key Takeaways The thoracic spine is made up of 12 bones that attach to your ribs and support your rib cage.Excessive curvature in the thoracic spine, ...

Surgery for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is very rare. Your doctor may recommend it if your condition is severe and if other treatments haven’t helped enough. Laminectomy. This is the most common ...