Back and neck injuries (orthopaedics)

Anatomy

The anatomical regions below make up the spine:

• The cervical or cervical spine (between the head and thoracic vertebrae)
• The dorsal or thoracic spine (between the cervical and lumbar spines)
• The lumbar or lumbar spine (between the dorsal spine and the sacrum)

Segments

The spine is made up of segments or links. These interconnecting links are connected and move relative to each other. Two successive vertebrae, with the intervening disc and facet joints, are called a movement segment. This forms the anatomical base or unit of the spine.

Disc

A typical feature of the spine is that several functions are interconnected. For example, the vertebral body and the disc provide strength and load bearing capacity. The disc, together with the facet joints, provides movement, and the nerves, together with the spinal cord, carry a neurological function.

Diagnosis

The orthopaedic surgeon always first makes a diagnosis through a thorough examination with imaging (radiology, ultrasound, scintigraphy) if necessary. Based on the diagnosis made, the specialized doctor prescribes treatment that may include, for example, medication, infiltration or physical therapy. Surgery may be required at some point or for certain injuries.

Common problems of the neck or back

Disc degeneration
Cervical disc hernia (neck hernia)
Lumbago (low back pain)
Lumbar disc hernia (low back hernia)
Scoliosis
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
Vertebral fracture due to osteoporosis

Some common procedures

Decompression
Lumbar fusion
Microdiscectomy
PLIF (posterior lumbar interbody fusion)
PLIF My Spine MC
Vertebroplasty

Interventions along the front of the spine

This is the classic access for neck surgery, but procedures on the dorsal or lumbar spine are also sometimes performed from the front. Thus, a disc, as well as an entire vertebral body, can be removed and replaced with an artificial vertebra.

ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion)
Cervical fusion (neck surgery)

Want to know more about your rehabilitation?

In case of an orthopaedic injury or after surgery, you can follow an orthopaedic rehabilitation program. You can read more about it at the link below.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation