Pinched spinal nerves can develop suddenly or gradually. Sudden compression usually occurs in the setting of an acute joint problem called a “herniated disc,” also discussed in more detail elsewhere.

Physical therapy is effective in improving balance, reducing falls, controlling osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and neck and low back pain.

Poor strength might be a contributing factor to the development of a spine-related disorder if the demands placed on the spine exceed a patient’s strength capacities.

Augmentation means to add to, vertebral indicates a vertebra, and percutaneous means through the skin.

Spinal tumors, also called neoplasms, are abnormal growths of tissue found inside the spinal column.

A pain medicine specialist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who treats pain caused by disease, disorder, or trauma.

Paget’s disease, also known as osteitis deformans, is the second most common bone disorder in the United States (behind osteoporosis).

Improvements in technology and surgical techniques over the past decade have allowed for more spine surgeries to be performed outside of the traditional hospital setting and in outpatient spine surgery centers.

More than 12 million Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis and over 50 million more have low bone density (osteopenia), putting them at risk for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease of progressive bone loss associated with an increased risk of fractures. The term osteoporosis literally means porous bone.