The spine, which runs vertically across the upper portion of the human body, has a vital role to play in supporting the structures and the organs and facilitating movements. Any deformation in the spine that disrupts the normal functions of the body, can be termed a spine condition. The structure, components, and physical and chemical mechanisms of the spine and their relation to the rest of the body and systems are extensively decoded in the Ganga Video Atlas of Spine Surgery.
Why is it important for medical students to understand common conditions of the spine?
Having an in-depth understanding of the spine is extremely essential for mastering the subject of surgery. With the necessary skills, a student is ready to receive comprehensive training to become a spine specialist or a spine surgeon.
Causes of different spine conditions:
- Accidents
or falls: If an individual meets an accident that is severe enough to hurt
the spine, it can result in a spine disorder. Slipping or tripping on the
floor can result in landing on the floor with an uneven distribution of
body weight, which can hurt the spine. The severity of the injury depends
on the case. The best surgery lectures for medical students have real-life case
scenarios and case demonstrations covering the possible injuries that
happen in accidents.
- Congenital
disorders: These are spine conditions that have been present in an
individual since birth. It may happen that the spinal cord is not formed
correctly at the time of birth or has nerves that are underdeveloped or
exposed. There can be abnormalities in the bones of the spine, which can
lead to pain, numbness, and a set of other challenges.
- Inflammation:
Inflammation and swelling are common causes and symptoms of spine
conditions.
- Infection:
Spinal infections are categorized by the anatomical location involved. Causes
of a spinal infection can be a bacterial or fungal infection that is
carried out from the infected area to the spine via bloodstream,
urological procedures, intravenous drugs, etc.
- Inherited
disorders: Some conditions of the spine can also come down through the
genes. The hereditary component can cause the following diseases:
scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative spinal disc disease, kyphosis,
ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
- Degenerative conditions that come with ageing: As we get older, our bones become brittle. Skeletal muscles undergo massive changes in quantity and quality, which quite often lead to weakness and disability. The discs, bones, and cartilage of the spine anatomy can slightly collapse, dry out, bend further to form an arch, get stiff, compressed, or rub against each other, thereby causing a spine condition.
Symptoms of different spine conditions
- Pain
- Stiffness
of the muscle or the bone in the lower back
- Facing
restriction in a range of motions
- Difficulty
in practising normal body posture due to stiffness or pain
- Muscles
spasm (both when in motion and at rest).
- Pain
that remains constant for more than 10 to 14 days
- Loss
of motor function and body abilities, like walking on heels or toes
Of course, numerous other causes lead to spine conditions. Find them discussed in the Ganga videos included in the spine surgery course.
Different treatment options for spine conditions
A spinal condition can be addressed medically in three ways. The
first is through conservative or non-surgical treatments. The second is through
surgical intervention, and the third is, through rehabilitation and supportive
care.
Common methodologies under non-surgical treatments
- Targeted
exercises, stretches, and manual therapy that make the spine and
associated muscles strong and flexible
- Muscle
relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain medications
- Heat
and cold therapy
- Planned
rest and activity periods
- Steroid injections or nerve blocks that reduce inflammation
Common methodologies for surgical interventions
- Discectomy
- Spinal
fusion
- Spinal
decompression
- Disc
replacement with artificial ones
- Vertebroplasty
Common methodologies under rehabilitation
- Comprehensive
rehabilitation programmes
- Use
of assistive devices
- Lifestyle modifications
An aspirant would get an effective boost in preparation by
subscribing to a good spines urgery online course. The surgery lectures for medical students are integral parts
of these online courses designed by leading medical learning platforms. The
video lectures conducted by gold-standard faculty who have years of experience
and expertise in surgery explain even the minutest piece of information about
the anatomy and function of the spine and thereby help a student master every
single aspect related to the spine in the easiest way possible. The spine surgery lectures, MCQs, and
notes covered the entire spine. Simultaneously with the online
course, a student can refer to a good general surgery book, for better learning outcomes.
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