Introduction Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may begin affecting individuals as young as 10 years old, although the disease usually peaks around the age of 28. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that usually involves the joints between your spin...

Introduction Osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease can be used interchangeably as terms for a disorder that causes cartilage degeneration within joints, which cause joint pain and damage. It is a common rheumatologic disorder ...

Introduction Bony projections that develop on the edges of your bones are called osteophytes, or bone spurs. Bone spurs can form on the bones of your spine in your neck and back, as well as any other bones in your body. Normal wear-and-tear during ag...

Introduction The rate of failed lumbar spinal surgeries is variable, from 10 to 40 percent. Spinal fusion failure rates lie between 19 and 24 percent. Failed back surgery syndrome is a term used to describe a variety of conditions that cause persiste...

Introduction Many different types of diseases and injuries can cause knee pain. Tendons, ligaments, bones and other connective tissues work together to form your knee joint, the largest joint in the human body. Your knee absorbs about twice your body...

Introduction Terminology related to spinal disc disease and injury can be confusing. Shock-absorbing discs between each spinal vertebra may slide, tear, bulge or degenerate to cause back pain. During diagnosis and consultation with your physician, sp...

Introduction   Nearly 45 miles of nerves run through your body, and they all begin in the brain. The spinal cord extends from brain and smaller nerves branch from the spinal cord to innervate your entire body. The spinal cord is protected by 24 ...

Introduction Your hip is one of the largest joints in your body. It lets you walk, sit, turn and bend. Arthritis, injury, infection, bone tumors and trauma are the most common reasons for hip pain, but many other diseases and ailments can cause hip p...

Introduction When you are trying to find medical help, you may want to know about important differences that exist between medical professions. Physical therapists, chiropractors and physicians can be helpful for a variety of medical conditions, but ...