Christopher Shaffrey, MD, has seen spine care evolve through rapid innovation.  But as outcomes and complication rates face greater scrutiny, the chief of the spine division at Durham, N.C.-based Duke ...

When Michael Kelly, director of scoliosis and spinal deformities at Rady Children's Hospital, is asked to explain how this spine-twisting disease affects adolescents differently from adults, he offers ...

Surgery for spinal stenosis of the neck aims to relieve compression and improve symptoms. Spinal stenosis is a compression of nerves in the spine. The condition most commonly affects the lumbar spine, ...

Rheumatoid arthritis often involves your wrists, knees, and feet. But it can also affect your spine. Most of the time, this kind of back pain responds well to arthritis treatments such as biologics.

Radiculopathy is the pinching of a nerve root (where nerves join/leave the spinal column). Pinching of the nerve roots can cause pain and numbness in areas controlled by that nerve. Symptoms of nerve ...

Surgery for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is very rare. Your doctor may recommend it if your condition is severe and if other treatments haven’t helped enough. Laminectomy. This is the most common ...

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Steinhoff, MD Key Takeaways The lumbar spine includes five vertebrae that help with mobility ...