The spine is the most vital part of the body. It protects us throughout our entire lives and gives us mobility and functionality. However, not all people are lucky to have a spine that is healthy with strong ligaments and muscles. In fact, many people suffer from back problems which can be one of the leading causes of death in America each year. With the help of spine.md, you can understand how to have a strong and healthy spine for life.
Structure of the Spine
Before we talk about spinal health, it’s necessary to understand what the spine is. The spine is the individual vertebrae that form a protective network of bone. There is 7 cervical (neck) vertebrae, 12 thoracic (upper back) vertebrae, 5 lumbar (lower back) vertebrae, and 5 sacral or sacrum vertebrae. You may think that since you can see them, your spinal column would be strong. However, this is not the case. The spine is a highly flexible structure that is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs. The Intervertebral disc is a soft cushion between the vertebrae and helps to absorb shock and weight from the upper body. This may not be what you think it does, but it literally gives life to your body.
How Artificial Disc Replacement Can Help
Artificial disc replacement surgery is a medical procedure that can be performed on the spine to help with painful and debilitating back pain. It is an effective way to relieve pain caused by degenerative disc disease and other spinal problems. The disc replacement surgery is a highly invasive procedure that involves removing damaged, worn-out or herniated intervertebral discs from the spine and replacing them with artificial devices (i.e., plastic or metal implants) that are typically made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Once the surgery has been performed, the artificial discs will act like normal discs but with improved performance. With the help of a healthy spine, your body functions are enhanced.
Since there are many different kinds of spine problems, it is important to find out what kind of spine problem you may have. Some of these problems include degenerative disc disease and scoliosis (curvature of the spine). These are some common issues that can be addressed by artificial disc replacement surgery. These procedures are highly invasive and should only be performed by a qualified surgeon who specializes in the spine. These procedures can be extremely painful and expensive, but the end result will help you to live a pain-free life.