An abdominal aortic aneurysm is defined as any enlargement of the abdominal aorta - the main artery running through the abdomen. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are small and do not pose a health prob [..]

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Video This acronym stands for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. Anterior = in the front, meaning that the surgery is done through the front Cervic [..]

Acupuncture is an alternative medical technique that involves the insertion of hair-thin metallic needles at specific points on the body in an attempt to relieve tension and pain. According to the anc [..]

There are different types of pain. Acute pain is a type of pain that typically lasts less than 3 to 6 months, or pain that is directly related to soft tissue damage such as a sprained ankle or a paper [..]

The type of bone called allograft bone is obtained from a donor for use in grafting procedures, such as a spine fusion surgery. The donor bone graft acts as a temporary calcium deposit on which a pati [..]

The phrase Alternative Medicine refers to a range of treatments that are not typically classified as part of traditional "Western medicine". For treatment of back pain, chiropractic treatmen [..]

The term Analgesics encompasses a class of drugs that are designed to relieve pain without causing the loss of consciousness. The different classes of analgesic drugs include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflam [..]

The field of Anesthesiology refers to the branch of medicine that studies how to suppress the perception of pain and sensation in the brain. An anesthesiologist administers anesthesia for patients who [..]

The condition known as ankylosing spondylitis is a relatively rare form of arthritis that causes inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. The condition is characterized as a progressive stiffe [..]

Spine Anatomy Video The annulus fibrosus is the tough circular exterior of the intervertebral disc that surrounds the soft inner core, the nucleus pulposus. This outer portion is composed of a ring of [..]