Fractures, strains, and falls: How to prevent winter back injuries
Winter weather can be treacherous for your back. Whether it's a lumbar strain from shoveling wet, heavy snow or taking a spill on a slick sidewalk, winter conditions can seriously affect your back health.
Ankylosing spondylitis and neck pain
Usually, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) starts in the lower spine, but it can also affect the upper spine and neck. For some, the neck is where AS symptoms begin, which may cause stiffness and pain.
Surgery for spinal stenosis linked to lower mortality and costs, compared to nonoperative treatment
For patients with spinal stenosis, operative treatment is associated with a lower risk of death and lower costs over two years, compared with nonoperative treatment, suggests a study in the February issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
What to know about sacral fractures
Younger people can break their sacrum during motor vehicle accidents or serious falls. However, older people, especially those with osteoporosis, may experience fractures after minor falls.
What is a clay shoveler’s fracture?
A clay shoveler’s fracture is a rare type of fracture that occurs in the back. Because it is a relatively stable fracture, most people will not need surgery to repair the break.