Posts Tagged review
Spinal Cord Injuries review KBNI Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Spring, Memorial City
Posted by admin in baytown, beaumont, car accident, houston, injury, low back pain, physical therapy, review, spinal injury, spinal injury rehabilitation, sugarland, woodlands on November 18, 2014
stem cell, spinal nerves, spinal cord injuries, physical therapy,
Houston
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord runs from the occipital bone at the base of the skull all the way down between the first and second lumbar vertebrae (lower back). Along with the brain, the spinal cord composes our central nervous system, responsible for communications between the brain and many parts of the body. These signals transmit signals for sensation as well as motor commands for movement. In patients with spinal cord injuries, these communications are impaired, generally through physical trauma or congenital birth defects.
Trauma in spinal cord injuries (motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents) varies widely: pressure, severing, lacerations, bruising, or excessive stretching can all be serious enough to break down communications between the brain and the affected area. If the trauma is serious enough (or if our spinal discs have degenerated to this point) the vertebrae and spinal discs may shatter and impinge on the nearby spinal cord, where sharp shards of disc or bone can penetrate the membrane of the spinal canal and do serious damage to spinal nerves.
stem cell, spinal nerves, spinal cord injuries, physical therapy,
Houston
In serious cases, spinal cord injuries may leave the patient paralyzed, unable to move parts of his or her body. Generally speaking, the higher the trauma is on the spinal cord (closer to the occipital bone at the base of the skull) the more risk there is to a patient’s long-term mobility. This of course also depends on the severity of the injury. A serious laceration or severing high on the spinal cord may lead to quadriplegia, or paralysis of all extremities. While extensive physical therapy may improve a patient’s mobility and allow the brain to generate new ways of executing movement, some spinal cord injuries are too severe for physical therapy in its present state to have much of an effect. This is because damaged nerve cells in the spinal cord do not regenerate, whereas wounds in other parts of the body are gradually repaired.
The medical community is hard at work engineering new potential solutions to the problem of nerve cell regeneration. Stem cell research and the field of nanotechnology hold promising developments if public and private funding continues. Stem cell research focuses on learning about the various kinds of cells our bodies are able to produce, as well as how general stem cells are specialized into the incredible number of different cell types. Nanotechnology, on the other hand, is a field that incorporates a number of different sciences to manipulate and change matter on an extraordinarily small scale. Medical scientists hope to use both disciplines in repairing previously irreparable spinal cord injuries.
Physician experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston, TX, have significant experience in diagnosing and treating spinal cord injuries. The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
stem cell, spinal nerves, spinal cord injuries, physical therapy,
Houston
Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE
……. KBNI VIDEO on Back and Neck Pain Treatment : Don’t Live in Fear and Pain
Keywords: stem cell, spinal nerves, spinal cord injuries, physical therapy,
Houston, Baytown, Conroe, Galleria, Beaumont, Galleria, Galveston, Humble, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial City, Woodlands, Sugarland
Spine Injury Fracture review by KBNI serving Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood
Posted by admin in fracture, injury, review, spinal injury on June 4, 2014
spine, injury, fracture, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood
A spine injury fracture is typically a serious injury that occurs when the integrity of the vertebrae (bones of the spine) is compromised, either by physical trauma or by a medical condition like osteoporosis (low bone density). Physicians use three main classifications for spine injury fractures in order to document the pattern of injury: 1) flexion fracture pattern (when one side of the vertebra loses height, usually from a fall from height), 2) extension fracture pattern (when the vertebra is pulled apart, such as in a car accident), and 3) rotation fracture pattern (severe rotation of the vertebra and surrounding soft tissues). A spinal injury fracture may also be further classified based on whether it ishas affected the integrity of the spinal cord.
If a spine injury fracture is suspected, immediate medical attention is advised. The spine serves as the seat of almost all everyday movement, and if its structure is compromised, the injury can have long-term effects on a patient’s mobility. The situation is particularly dangerous if the displacement of vertebral bone shards have compressed or otherwise injured the spinal cord, which is a structure that houses the central spinal nerves that run the length of the spinal column. These spinal nerves control sensation and voluntary muscle control for much of the body. If the spinal cord suffers sufficient physical trauma from a fracture pattern, the patient may be paralyzed in all the regions of the body that received information from the spinal nerves below the injury site.
spine, injury, fracture, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood
Spine injury fracture may involve several types of fracture, described as compression fracture, osteoporotic compression fracture, burst fracture, vertebral compression fracture, pathologic fracture, spinous process fracture, or facet fracture. Some fractures may be stable, and will heal on their own, while other spine injury fractures will require surgery to stabilize them. Some fractures will create a kyphosis deformity of the spine, in which the patient leans forward.
Unfortunately, physical trauma need not be serious in order for a spine injury fracture to occur. Such an injury often occurs in the course of everyday movement, such as when a patient bends to pick something up or lifts a bag of groceries. Sudden sharp pain may even be accompanied by a loss in height, which can indicate the simultaneous collapse of multiple vertebrae. Compression and distortion of the spinal column can compress the stomach, causing stomach pain and digestive problems. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture pattern, patients may also need surgery. Most efforts to surgically repair spinal fractures also result in lengthy periods of post-operative care, supplemented by physical therapy, rest, and subsequent medical examinations to maximize the chances of a positive recovery.
At the Kraus Back and Neck Instiute (KBNI) in Houston TX, patients are treated for spine injury fractures, whether they are acute or chronic. Doctors at the KBNI will order the appropriate imaging studies, and guide patients to a path of fracture healing and pain improvement.
The KBNI serves patients throughout the Houston and surrounding areas, including Katy, Sugarland, the Woodlands, Memorial City and Kingwood.
To schedule a visit, patients can
…. Schedule an office visit online at www.SpineHealth.com
…. Call 281-713-6296 to arrange an appointment
Keywords: spine, injury, fracture, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood
Sports Injury, Back Injury, Spinal Injury Review KBNI Houston, Chiropractor, Chiropractic, Katy, Memorial City, Woodlands, Sugarland, Kingwood, TMC (Texas Medical Center), College Station, Bryan, Texas
Posted by admin in back injury, chiropractic, review, spinal injury, sports injury on June 4, 2014
Sports Injury, Back Injury, Spinal Injury Review KBNI Houston, Chiropractor, Chiropractic, Katy, Memorial City, Woodlands, Sugarland, Kingwood, TMC (Texas Medical Center), College Station, Bryan, Texas
Sports injury can result in back injury or other spinal injury to patients. Prevention and proper treatment are important. Experts in physical therapy or experts in chiropractic (chiropractor) can help with guidance. Our spines are the seat of motion for our entire lives. Spinal nerves running through and along the spinal column provide sensation to many parts of the body, in addition to serving as avenues for sending signals to our voluntary muscle groups. While it is essential to our mobility, the spinal cord lacks durability to direct physical trauma, as well as regenerative capacity if sufficiently injured. The soft tissue of the spinal cord is what can have serious repercussions for mobility when it comes to sports injuries. Collisions, blows, dislocations, and other types of physical trauma sustained in impact sports injury can push fragments of bone into the spinal cord or otherwise compromise its normal function or normal anatomy. Once the spinal cord has been damaged, patients can lose sensation or motor function in all parts of the body that were previously governed by parts of the spinal cord below the site of injury. Back injury and spinal injury are a great concern, especially in an active society in which contact sports are popular. When injury is major, a surgery on the spine may be needed. When there is no significant structural damage to the spine, but injury involving muscle and ligament sprain or strain, therapy with a physical therapist, or chiropractic treatment with a chiropractor may be of benefit.
spinal injury back injury chiropractic chiropractor houston katy sugarland woodlands
Due to spinal cord’s lack of regenerative capacity, spinal injury that is high on the spinal cord—in the cervical (neck) region—can be particularly serious, potentially causing paralysis in all of the limbs. The upper back (thoracic region) has extra support due to the structure of the ribcage and supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments, so it is less vulnerable to serious sports injury than the neck. As a result of these vulnerabilities, physicians typically exercise extreme caution when a spinal injury is suspected. During a sporting event, this means immobilizing the patient on a stretcher accompanied by very careful movement to minimize the chance of further damaging the spinal cord. Recovery from sports injury can often be unique to each patient depending on where the spinal cord was injured and in what manner. Intense physical therapy regimens are typically required to minimize further loss of mobility and, in some cases, to partially re-develop a patient’s ability to control their extremities. To reduce the chances of injuring the spine during sports, always complete a thorough regimen of light calisthenics and stretching prior to any intense activity. This will help prepare muscles, tendons, and ligaments for the increased stress that sports require. Experts to help with guidance in this area may be physical therapists, who can use physical therapy techniques, or chiropractic treatment in the hands of a chiropractor, who can educate in proper stretches and warmup activities. Back injury and other spinal injury can have long lasting and devastating consequences. Prevention can be accomplished by using good equipment, following proper rules of engagement, especially in contact sports, and by strengthening the surrounding musculature to support and protect the spine. Experts in strengthening and conditioning the spine may be physical therapists who perform strengthening, or chiropractic treatment with a chiropractor who performs strengthening techniques. In summary, sports injury may result in back injury and other spinal injury, and can often be prevented or avoided, with the proper caution. If it does occur, proper and prompt treatment are important. Proper prevention is important, utilizing proper rules, equipment and strengthening. Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment with a chiropractor may have excellent benefit. Experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Instiute (KBNI) in Houston, serve patients who have suffered sports injury, back injury, and other spinal injury, throughout the Houston and surrounding areas, including Katy, Woodlands, Memorial City, the TMC (Texas Medical Center), Woodlands, Sugarland, Kingwood, College Station, Bryan, and other cities in Texas. Patients with pain from an injury can be seen. No imaging studies are needed. KBNI expert physicians will obtain the appropriate imaging studies and other tests to help diagnose the cause of the pain. Patients can schedule a visit online at www.SpineHealth.com or call 281-713-6296 Keywords: Sports Injury, Back Injury, Spinal Injury Review KBNI Houston, Chiropractor, Chiropractic, Katy, Memorial City, Woodlands, Sugarland, Kingwood, TMC (Texas Medical Center), College Station, Bryan, Texas
back injury chiropractor chiropractic houston katy woodlands sugarland kingwood
Whiplash Treatment with Therapy and Chiropractic in Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland, Baytown, Beaumont, Port Arthur Review by KBNI
Posted by admin in chiropractic, physical therapy, review, whiplash on May 29, 2014
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whiplash, physical therapy, therapy, chiropractor, chiropractic, Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland
WATCH VIDEO ABOUT NECK AND BACK INJURY TREATMENT
Whiplash is the informal term for a medical condition in which the neck muscles, ligaments, or vertebrae have been extended beyond their everyday range of motion, typically as the result of physical trauma from an accident or injury. For example, during a rear-end automobile motor vehicle accident in which a driver does not have time to brace for impact, the cervical (neck) region of the spinal column can be snapped forward and back in a motion similar to the crack of a whip. Hyperextension then occurs in the neck muscles and can also be accompanied by displacement of cervical vertebrae.
For minor strains, neurological injury may not be present, but the patient may experience straining of the muscles and ligaments. Initial rest followed by strengthening may be beneficial. Experts at strengthening include those who provide therapy (physical therapy) as well as chiropractic treatment with a chiropractor.
Normally, whiplash occurs as the result of automobile accidents, but may be caused by contact sports or deliberate physical abuse (such as being shaken or punched). Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, headaches that radiate from the base of the skull, and neck pain or stiffness. Mild whiplash is typically treated with pain relievers and anti-inflammatories with no long-term complications. More severe whiplash may cause pain to radiate down to the shoulders and arms, or produce tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in the arms. These injuries signal compression of the spinal nerves or spinal cord, which run the length of the spinal column while providing sensation to most of the body. Long-term loss of sensation may occur if these spinal nerves suffer substantial physical trauma.
chiropractic treatment with chiropractor
If a patient’s whiplash induced neck pain levels are not addressed by over-the-counter pain medications, or if the neck pain has not subsided after a few days, immediate medical consultation is advised. Physicians will conduct a physical exam to test the patient’s mobility. Should the cervical region’s mobility be sufficiently compromised, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging) may be necessary to gauge the extent of the damage as well as to evaluate possible courses of treatment.
In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to repair whiplash damaged vertebrae, ensure cervical stability, or relieve pressure on the spinal cord. As the cervical region is more delicate than other parts of the spine, post-operative care will often include very specific physical therapy designed to strengthen the muscles that support the neck. Stronger neck muscles will lower the incidence of future whiplash, in addition to helping the body more efficiently distribute the weight of the skull without causing long-term complications.
Strengthening of the neck can involve physical therapy or chiropractic treatment with a chiropractor. There are some differences and many similarities with the therapy provided by physical therapy and the chiropractic treatment provided by a chiropractor. Ultimately, strong muscles in the neck help to reduce the risk of whiplash and neck injury in the future. Health of the muscles in important for neck and back health.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute in Houston, TX, serves patients in the Houston and surrounding areas, including Katy, the Woodlands, Spring, Humble, Kingwood, Sugarland, Pearland, Atascocita, Friendswood, Memorial City, Galleria, Bryan, College Station, Baytown, Beaumont and Port Arthur. In addition, accommodations can be made for patients from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI)has significant experience with patients suffering injury or trauma to the neck and back. This may have been from a motor vehicle accident or other injury. The KBNI has found that, after treating thousands of patients, most can be treated and have their neck pain and symptoms improved without the need of an operation. When surgery on the spine is needed, they offer the most advanced techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery.
To arrange a consultation for review at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute in Houston
Call: 281-713-6296
or visit www.SpineHealth.com to schedule an online appointment
Keywords: whiplash, physical therapy, therapy, chiropractor, chiropractic, Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland
Herniated Disc Injury (Motor Vehicle Injury, Truck Injury) : Review of Treatment in Houston Katy Woodlands Spring Humble Baytown Beaumont Port Arthur
Posted by admin in herniated disc, review, sciatica on May 11, 2014
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Herniated Disc Injury (Motor Vehicle Injury, Truck Injury)
herniated disc, physical therapy, back pain, spinal nerve, Houston, Galleria, Katy, the Woodlands, Spring, Humble, Memorial City, motor vehicle injury, truck injury
Spinal discs are the pads between each vertebra of the spinal column. They act as shock absorbers for the body, compensating for the stresses of everyday movement: running, jumping, sitting, standing, walking, etc. Each disc has a tough, durable exterior but is filled with a soft, jelly-like material. Herniated discs occur when stress (usually from natural wear and tear as we age, but occasionally from improper lifting or other kinds of physical trauma) (motor vehicle injury, truck injury) pushes some of the softer material through a rupture in the exterior portion of the disc. This can aggravate or compress nearby spinal nerves, causing extreme pain. Depending on the seriousness of the spinal nerve compression, back pain may be accompanied by numbness, muscle weakness, tingling, and a shooting or radiating pain in any of the extremities. If any of these symptoms accompany a patient’s back pain, immediate medical consultation is advised. Continual compression of spinal nerves can lead to permanent damage, which may include a loss of sensation. Experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute in Houston, TX, have significant experience treating thousands of patients suffering from the low back pain, leg pain and sciatica of herniated discs in the lumbar spine. Dr. Gary Kraus and Dr. Masaki Oishi take a very conservative approach to treating patients suffering from these disorders, and in most cases find that patients can be effectively treated, with significant pain reduction, without the need of an operation. Dr Kraus and Dr Oishi have extensive experience taking care of patients who have been in automobile injuries, truck injuries, or suffered other types of motor vehicle injuries.
Physical therapy in combination with anti-inflammatories and rest may significantly reduce the back pain associated with a herniated disc. A licensed medical professional will, through a specialized regimen of physical therapy, show patients new techniques that minimize the possibility of re-injury. In particular, torsional or lateral movement while lifting should be minimized, as these methods can significantly raise pressure within the spinal column, leading to an increased likelihood of a herniated disc.
For seriously herniated discs, surgical procedures may be necessary. Spinal fusion, a procedure in which the vertebrae are fused together, can eliminate the pain caused by worn intervertebral discs. Artificial discs are also an option—these discs can now match a natural disc in durability. Surgery should be considered only as a last resort, however. The costliness and lengthy rehabilitation periods during post-operative care for most spinal surgeries mean that physicians typically recommend surgery only after physical therapy, healthy dieting, exercise, and weight management have failed to improve a patient’s quality of life or lower levels of back pain.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute in Houston, TX, treats and will review patients from Houston, Katy, Inner Loop, Memorial City, Galleria, the Woodlands, Sugar Land, Humble and Spring. Many patients may have been in automobile injuries or truck injuries. Patients are welcome to call the Kraus Back and Neck Institute. No films or other studies are needed. Appropriate imaging studies and other tests may be ordered if indicated and needed.
http://www.spinepain.com/surgical-procedures-kraus-back-neck-institute.html
http://www.neckpain.com/spinal-surgery-kraus-back-neck-institute.html
http://www.surgeryspine.com/lower-back-lumbar-surgery-kraus-neck-institute.html
Keywords: herniated disc, physical therapy, back pain, spinal nerve, Houston, Galleria, Katy, the Woodlands, Spring, Humble, Memorial City, motor vehicle injury, truck injury
Whiplash review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Spring, Woodlands, Baytown, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Tomball
Posted by admin in cervical spine, cervical spine injury, facet joint, imaging, injury, neck, neck pain, pain, physical therapy, review, spine, Uncategorized, whiplash on May 23, 2011
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Whiplash / Houston
Each year more than two million Americans experience a whiplash injury (a.k.a. whiplash-associated disorder) to their neck. Numerous studies have shown that the most common cause of whiplash is a 6 to 12 mph rear-end automobile collision where the individual has a sudden, hyper-extension (backward movement) and flexion (forward movement) of the neck. The violent, unexpected motion forces the neuromuscular structure of the cervical region to exceed its normal movement parameters. Collisions at higher speeds have a commensurately higher incidence of severe damage to the cervical spine region.
Whiplash-associated disorder can also be caused by a front-end or side-impact automobile collision, contact sport-related accident, e.g., being struck from behind, diving/swimming pool accident, amusement park ride, or physical abuse (e.g., shaken baby syndrome). The pain the individual feels can be mild to severe and acute (short term) or chronic (long term). It is generally agreed that as many as 40% of patients with acute, whiplash-associated neck pain will develop chronic neck pain.
Soft Tissue Injury
In the majority of cases, the whiplash injury damages the soft tissue of the neck resulting in a sprain or strain of the neck muscles or ligaments. In the past, damage to the soft tissues was nearly impossible to visualize. Even with the aid of various advanced imaging technologies (MRI, CT-scan, standard x-ray with contrast, etc.) visualization remains difficult. There are times when patients will experience soft tissue injury, with pain, yet the imaging studies are completely normal. This means that the key factor in soft tissue diagnosis is the knowledge and experience of the spine specialist.
The symptoms of a soft tissue neck injury include neck pain, arm and hand pain, stiffness, back pain, shoulder pain, ringing in the ears, dizziness, neck-related (cervicogenic) headache, paresthesia (burning, tingling or prickling sensation), or injury to the discs, facet joints of the low back or sacroiliac joints. Some people may also experience cognitive deficits such as memory loss and impaired concentration as well as sleep disorders or psychological conditions, e.g., nervousness, depression or irritability. It is important to keep in mind that while the symptoms of a whiplash-associated disorder usually appear within 24 hours, in some cases the symptoms may not manifest themselves until days or even weeks after the accident.
If a soft-tissue injury is confirmed, there are a number of passive treatment alternatives that may be recommended including bed rest, hot and cold compresses, pain relieving medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. The decision as to which medication(s) is prescribed will depend on the type and severity of pain being experienced, the individual’s pain tolerance, and their general medical condition. Spine specialists now prefer that the patient pursue their daily activities in as normal a manner as possible. In the past, whiplash patients were advised to wear a cervical collar to limit neck movement. This type of immobilization is no longer considered an effective therapy as prolonged collar wear can cause weakness in the neck muscles.
Most patients with mild to moderate whiplash will have pain relief within a few days to two weeks, with a prognosis of full recovery in 10 to 12 weeks. For those individual’s whose neck pain becomes chronic (more than 12 weeks) or worsens the spine specialist may recommend, in addition to pain medication, some form active intervention including physical medicine, e.g., physical therapy, traction, range of motion exercises, etc. In the rare case of prolonged, debilitating soft-tissue pain the patient may be prescribed anti-inflammatory cortisone injections, opioid analgesics and/or anti-depressants. Surgery is not considered to be a treatment option for a soft-tissue whiplash-associated disorder.
Cervical Spine Injury
The pain symptoms of a cervical spine injury due to whiplash-associated disorder are similar to that of a soft tissue injury. If the spine specialist’s examination and imaging studies reveals damage to the facet joints, intervertebral discs, nerve roots and/or vertebrae of the cervical spine a more aggressive treatment regimen is usually undertaken. This approach may include physical medicine, anti-inflammatory pain medications, injections of cortisone into facet joints, facet joint radiofrequency neurotomy, facet joint laser ablation, therapeutic nerve blocks (steroid plus analgesic), and/or anterior cervical discectomy or laminectomy with fusion.
End Note: Although whiplash injuries occur with ever-greater frequency, the diagnosis of a whiplash-associated disorder is a challenging undertaking. The success of whiplash treatment will be a function of the thoroughness and accuracy of the spine specialist’s diagnosis.
~ New Patients Welcome ~
Call Today: 281-446-3876 (281-44 NEURO)
Back Injuries and Sports review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Baytown, Sugarland, Beaumont, Wooodlands, Spring, Memorial City
Posted by admin in back injury, baytown, beaumont, houston, katy, Kingwood, lumbar, lumbar spine, review, spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, sports injury, Spring, sugarland, Tomball, Uncategorized, woodlands on April 18, 2011
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Back Injuries and Sports: Houston
Which sport has the highest incidence of back injuries? If you answered football, hockey or basketball you guessed wrong. Spinal pathology occurs among male and female gymnasts, from children at the earliest competitive level to experienced adolescent and young adult gymnasts at the highest competitive level. Each year more than 80,000 gymnasts at all levels require medical attention. A great number of these injuries are to the back including sprains, strains, and spinal trauma such as herniated discs and fractures. In addition, gymnasts commonly experience injuries to the upper extremities (wrist, hand, elbow, clavicle, etc.) and lower extremities (knees, ankles, hips, tailbone, etc.).
The term gymnastics encompasses seven competitive categories: men’s artistic, women’s artistic, rhythmic, acrobatic, group, trampoline and tumbling. The incidence of injury is highest in the men’s and women’s artistic categories. Both of these groups use various apparatus as part of their competitive routines. The women compete on the balance beam, uneven bars, vault and floor exercise. The men’s competition includes the horizontal (high) bar, parallel bars, still rings, vault, pommel horse, and floor exercise. The etiology of gymnastic spinal injury can include: exaggerated bending, arching and twisting of the spine; the jolt of tumbling routines in the floor exercise; rigorous, repetitive apparatus training; and, falls from the apparatus. In addition, it should be noted that the uneven bars, parallel bars, horizontal bar and rings place an exaggerated traction force on the gymnast.
The two predominant types of spinal injury are strains of the spinal muscles and spondylolysis. Also occurring to a lesser extent is spondylolisthesis. Both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are usually manifested at the 5th lumbar vertebra (L5), and to a lesser extent at the 4th lumbar vertebra (L4). Spondylolysis is a medical term for a lateral fracture of is a thin segment of vertebral bone (the pars interarticularis). Spondylolisthesis is the term used to describe the forward slippage of all or part of one vertebra onto an adjacent vertebra. The slippage is thought to be the result of the gymnast’s performance of repetitive hyperextension movement, such as an apparatus dismount. Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can occur at the same time, however, spondylolysis is not necessarily a precursor of spondylolisthesis. Another back injury gymnasts experience is Scheuermann’s disease (adolescent kyphosis) which involves two vertebra segments being forced into aberrant wedge-like shape. This causes a distended outward curve of the upper back.
The long term result of the various insults to the bones and muscles of a gymnast’s spine is pain running down the leg, limited mobility and chronic low back pain. “Herniated discs and disc degeneration also occur but to surprisingly lesser extent.” This is thought to be due to the gymnast’s intense conditioning, muscle strength and flexibility. Fortunately muscle sprain and ligament strain can be treated with rest and physical therapy. When pain persists, it is recommended that the gymnast be evaluated by a neurosurgeon or an orthopaedic surgeon. It is also fortunate that catastrophic injury to the athlete is a relatively rare occurrence.”
The prevention of injury is of paramount importance. Parents and coaches should insist that all safety precautions are taken, especially in non-competitive situations (practice) where the bulk of injuries occur. This includes ensuring that spotters are in attendance, the apparatus is in good working order, the athlete uses the appropriate safety gear (hand grips, braces, pads, etc.), and there is a de-emphasis on “working through the pain.”
~ New Patients Welcome ~ for consultation and review
Call Today: 281-446-3876 (281-44 NEURO)
Diving & Spinal Cord Injury review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland, Spring, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Kingwood
Posted by admin in review, Uncategorized on February 21, 2011
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Driving and Spinal Cord Injury
Houston
Recreational swimming and diving rank third among all physical activities (after walking and camping), and is the most common activity among children. The fun of diving into a pool or other body of water too often turns into trauma that ends up in the emergency room. Each year more than 7,000 young Americans experience a diving accident. Consider the following:
- The head and neck are the most common body area injured in a diving accident and account for more than half of all sports-related spinal cord injuries. The injuries are almost exclusively located in the cervical vertebrae
- A large number of water-related spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic. The loss of sensation and movement in the upper and lower body (quadriplegia) or the loss of sensation and movement from the waist down (paraplegia) happens far too often. These injuries require a lifetime of care and medical treatment
- 90% of diving-related accidents occur in water that is less than six feet deep. Even when the water is deep enough to prevent divers from hitting the bottom, the surface tension of the water can cause spinal injury if the diver hits the water improperly. In this regard, recreational and competitive divers alike are at risk
- 90% of diving accidents occur in private residential swimming pools (66% in below ground pools/33% in above ground pools)
- 70% of the injuries are the result of head first dives, 18 percent from jumps or cannonballs, and 12 percent from flips or handstands
Even an experienced diver can be seriously injured by diving improperly, diving into water less than 6 feet deep, falling off a diving board or sliding down a water slide head-first.
Diving Board/Platform Diving/Edge of Water Diving
Each year nearly 700 serious spinal cord injuries occur as a result of diving off a board or platform. Collision with a diving board or platform is the leading cause of these injuries. The odds of injury caused by contact with the diving board increases dramatically if a child or adolescent is attempting a flip, handstand or backward dive. Injuries such as broken bones, whiplash, spinal injury and lacerations can result from diving from the waters edge into a pool or other body of water.
Preventing Diving Accidents
The following measures can be taken to prevent diving accidents:
- Always dive into a pool with your hands in front of you, so if anything hits the bottom of the pool, it’s your hands and arms, not your head
- Always check the depth of the water and for any obstacles before diving. Diving should not be done in waters less than 6 feet deep
- If in doubt about water depth, enter slowly, feet first
- Never dive into murky water
- Remember that in non-pool waters there may be submerged obstacles such as sandbanks, rocks and tree branches that are not visible from above the surface
- For adolescents, young adults and older adults – Don’t Drink and Dive
Prevention strategies also include educating young children about water safety to prevent them from jumping into shallow or turbid water, requiring that adult supervision or a certified lifeguard is present, employing visible depth indicators around the pool, learning proper diving technique when attempting new and unusual dives, and installing soft pool bottoms.
Finally, remember that diving injuries to the cervical spine aren’t always visible or immediate. Neurological effects (such as nausea) might occur after the diver is out of the water and the correlation to the incident might not be obvious Other evidence of nerve damage may be observed immediately or after a delay. These include tingling in the extremities, vision problems, concussion and impaired motor function. All diving-related neck injuries should be evaluated by a head and neck specialist – delayed treatment can cause further complications.
~ New Patients Welcome ~
Call Today: 281-446-3876 (281-44 NEURO)
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