Healthcare News
Staying awake during spine surgery is cutting recovery time in half
A traditional spinal fusion surgery with general anesthesia takes about four hours and requires a hospital stay of three to four days as well as IV painkillers. The awake spine surgery takes half the time and typically has patients out of the hospital within 24 hours.
Researchers aiming to cure spina bifida get a step closer to their goal
Researchers on the path to finding a cure for spina bifida have identified specific elements in stem cell secretions as key to protecting neurons and ultimately reducing the lower-limb paralysis associated with the birth defect.
Surgery for herniated discs in neck can be safely performed in outpatient setting
Surgery to remove multiple herniated or degenerated discs in the neck, a procedure known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), can be safely performed in an outpatient setting in select patients, according to a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.
From foam to bone: Plant cellulose can pave the way for healthy bone implants
Researchers have developed what could be the bone implant material of the future: an airy, foamlike substance from plant cellulose that can be injected into the body and provide scaffolding for the growth of new bone.
CT scan prior to spine fusion finds almost half of patients had undiagnosed osteoporosis
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City found that a CT scan of the lumbar spine prior to surgery indicated that a significant number of patients had low bone density that was previously undiagnosed.
People with osteoporosis should avoid spinal poses in yoga, study says
Yoga postures that flex the spine beyond its limits may raise the risk of compression fractures in people with thinning bones, according to new research from Mayo Clinic.
What are synovial cysts?
Synovial cysts are small, fluid-filled lumps that tend to form on the lower spine. These cysts are not cancerous and often do not cause any symptoms. However, they can sometimes lead to problems such as sciatica.