Understanding Human Spine• It is the column stretching down the midline of the

trunk from the base of the skull to the pelvis

Medical name– Vertebral column or Spinal column

Function in human body– Movement– Support– Protection– Coordination– Control

• Human spine comprises of vertebrae, discs, and the spinal cord

• The spine is made up of a series of bones that are stacked like blocks on top of each other with cushions called discs in between to help absorb shock/load

• The spine is literally the supporting structure of the body

Human spine structure

Human spine segments

Vertebrae• Human spine is made up of 33 irregularly

shaped bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has a hole in the middle through which the spinal cord runs

Shock absorbers/ discs• Sandwiched between your vertebrae are

pads of tough, fibrous cartilage called intervertebral discs

• It cushions your vertebrae and absorb shock

Flexibility• The joints between individual vertebrae

by working together give the spine a wide range of movement

• Helps humans to arch backwards, bend forwards and twist from side to side.

Importance of SpineMind – body co-ordination• The spinal cord is the main pathway for information connecting the

brain and peripheral nervous system• Without the spine, the brain would not be able to receive sensory

data or communicate commands to the body.Movement• It is the major factor in all movements of the body. It provides

balance to the skeletal frame, absorbs jolts and shocks, allows is to move, bend and twist, all the while protecting the spinal cord and spinal nerves

Protection• Protection of the central nervous system allows it to function

optimally via the spinal cord, housed within the spine, which controls the function of every single cell, tissue and organ in the body

Support• Support for the head is paramount because the neck is involved in

quick coordinating movements for survival and protection and in general daily activities. The shoulder and pelvic girdles are also attached and supported. All these structures are related to the spine.

Quick facts• S-shaped spine prevents shock to human head while walking

or running

• As babies, humans have 33 vertebrae but as adults they end up with 26. This is because seven of them fuse to make the tailbone and back of the pelvis

• Spine an intricate network of blood vessels

• The spine is extremely strong – it can bear the pressure of hundreds of kilograms

• Those suffering from back pain who do not undertake special exercises and training to strengthen and rehabilitate their deep back muscles are 22 times more likely to have a recurrence of back pain

Spine Disease

Some of these are •Infections•Injuries•Tumors•Spinal Conditions and age related changes

The intensity of these differ depending on the trauma, injury etc.

A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue

Spine disorders

Spinal infection

• The vertebral column (bones), the intervertebral discs or the space around the spinal cord may become infected in a number of circumstances

• The infection may be caused by bacteria or fungal organisms

Spinal cord injury• The spinal cord contains the nerves

that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back

• A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis)

• It can be cause by a trauma, accident, extreme movements, fall etc.

Contd.Spinal tumor

• A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within or near your spinal cord or within the bones of your spine

• A spinal tumor or a growth of any kind can affect nerves in the area of the tumor, leading to pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis

• Extreme back pain is one of the most common symptom of it

Lower back pain

• Lower back pain could be ‘Acute’ and ‘Chronic’

• Acute pain is type of pain which is present for up to six weeks. The intensity may range from mild to severe and may fluctuate. The pain may radiate into one or both buttocks or even into the thigh/hip area

• Lower back pain is considered to be chronic if it has been present for greater than three months. It may originate from an injury, disease or stresses on different structures of the body

Contd. Scoliosis• Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an

abnormal curve of the spine

• It is about two times more common in girls than boys. It can be seen at any age, but it is most common in those over 10 years of age

Spinal Stenosis• Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the

open spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine

• This disease occurs most often in the neck and lower back

Spine care tips

• Get the standing posture right while standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the other, with your knees slightly bent

• Always try to sit straight with knees slightly higher than hips

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Keep you core muscles strong

• Reduce stress

• Exercise regularly

• Use Proper Body Mechanics When lifting, bending Or stretching

Must Avoid for a healthy spine

• Heavy lifting• Slouching• Poor work postures• Intense twisting while carrying/lifting

objects• No movements lifestlye• Avoid Sleeping flat on your back for a long

time as it puts heavy pressure on your spine causing strain

• Smoking• Do not take prolonged back problems

lightly

Spine Care Specialty at Wockhardt Hospital

• Spine care program at Wockhardt Hospitals makes it a centre for excellence in neurology care with highly skilled clinical expertise

• Our Hospitals provide cutting-edge diagnostic and operating facilities such as computerized navigation, imaging and treatment in orthopedics

• A comprehensive support of neurological Services makes it a complete program. Application of Minimal Access Surgery minimizes the extensive drawbacks of surgery, reducing hospital stay, blood transfusion and results in faster recovery

Wockhardt Hospitals is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)

Services at Wockhardt Hospital for Spine Care

• Non Surgical Neurological Services

• Management of Lumbar and Cervical Spondylosis

• Minimal access (Microscopic/ Endoscopic Surgeries) for cervical and lumbar disc prolapsed, including disc replacement.

Instrumented Anterior and Posterior fusion for• Spondylosis• Spine trauma• Spine and spinal cord tumor• Spinal deformity correction

Bibliography

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebral_column• http://www.spine-health.com/blog/understanding-your-spine• http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/humananatomy/a/howyourspinewor.htm• http://www.innerbody.com/image/skel05.html• http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/spinal.html• http://www.apex-spine.com/explanation-of-the-spine.html• http://my.clevelandclinic.org/anatomy/spine/hic_the_structure_and_function_of_a_healthy_spine

.aspx• http://www.ask.com/question/structure-of-the-human-spine• http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/spine/lumbar_vertebrae.shtml• http://www.allscan.ca/ergo/spine.htm• http://chiropracticassociates.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/how-important-is-your-spine/• http://www.foreignlanguagefriends.com/dr3sqf.cfm• http://www.trucomfort.com/blog/articles/20-amazing-facts-about-your-back• http://www.gentlecarechironorwest.com.au/back-pain-facts/• http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/spine_shoulder_pelvic_disorders/

facts_about_spine_shoulder_pelvis/Pages/index.aspx

Disclaimer: The information provided in this presentation is for education purpose only. It shouldn’t be considered as expert or medical advice from Wockhardt Hospitals

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