Spine care program at Wockhardt Hospitals makes it a centre for excellence in neurology care with highly skilled clinical expertise Our Hospitals provide cutting-edge diagnostic and operating facilities such as computerized navigation, imaging and treatment in orthopedics.

2. Understanding Human Spine
•
It is the column stretching down the midline of the
trunk from the base of the skull to the pelvis
Medical name
–
Vertebral column or Spinal column
Function in human body
–
–
–
–
–
Movement
Support
Protection
Coordination
Control
•
Human spine comprises of vertebrae, discs, and
the spinal cord
•
The spine is made up of a series of bones that are
stacked like blocks on top of each other with cushions
called discs in between to help absorb shock/load
•
The spine is literally the supporting structure of the
body

3. Human spine structure

4. Human spine segments
Vertebrae
•
Human spine is made up of 33 irregularly
shaped bones called vertebrae. Each
vertebra has a hole in the middle through
which the spinal cord runs
Shock absorbers/ discs
•
•
Sandwiched between your vertebrae are
pads of tough, fibrous cartilage called
intervertebral discs
It cushions your vertebrae and absorb
shock
Flexibility
•
•
The joints between individual vertebrae
by working together give the spine a wide
range of movement
Helps humans to arch backwards, bend
forwards and twist from side to side.

5. Importance of Spine
Mind – body co-ordination
• The spinal cord is the main pathway for information connecting the
brain and peripheral nervous system
• Without the spine, the brain would not be able to receive sensory
data or communicate commands to the body.
Movement
• It is the major factor in all movements of the body. It provides
balance to the skeletal frame, absorbs jolts and shocks, allows is to
move, bend and twist, all the while protecting the spinal cord and
spinal nerves
Protection
• Protection of the central nervous system allows it to function
optimally via the spinal cord, housed within the spine, which
controls the function of every single cell, tissue and organ in the
body
Support
• Support for the head is paramount because the neck is involved in
quick coordinating movements for survival and protection and in
general daily activities. The shoulder and pelvic girdles are also
attached and supported. All these structures are related to the
spine.

6. Quick facts
•
S-shaped spine prevents shock to human head while walking
or running
•
As babies, humans have 33 vertebrae but as adults they end
up with 26. This is because seven of them fuse to make the
tailbone and back of the pelvis
•
Spine an intricate network of blood vessels
•
The spine is extremely strong – it can bear the pressure of
hundreds of kilograms
•
Those suffering from back pain who do not undertake special
exercises and training to strengthen and rehabilitate their
deep back muscles are 22 times more likely to have a
recurrence of back pain

7. Spine Disease
A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae
and surrounding tissue
Some of these are
•Infections
•Injuries
•Tumors
•Spinal Conditions and age related changes
The intensity of these differ depending on the trauma,
injury etc.

8. Spine disorders
Spinal infection
Spinal cord injury
•
The vertebral column (bones), the
intervertebral discs or the space
around the spinal cord may become
infected in a number of
circumstances
•
The spinal cord contains the nerves
that carry messages between your
brain and body. The cord passes
through your neck and back
•
•
A spinal cord injury is very serious
because it can cause loss of
movement (paralysis)
•
It can be cause by a trauma, accident,
extreme movements, fall etc.
The infection may be caused by
bacteria or fungal organisms

9. Contd.
Lower back pain
Spinal tumor
•
•
•
A spinal tumor is a growth that
develops within or near your spinal
cord or within the bones of your
spine
A spinal tumor or a growth of any
kind can affect nerves in the area of
the tumor, leading to pain,
neurological problems and
sometimes paralysis
Extreme back pain is one of the most
common symptom of it
•
Lower back pain could be ‘Acute’ and
‘Chronic’
•
Acute pain is type of pain which is
present for up to six weeks. The
intensity may range from mild to
severe and may fluctuate. The pain
may radiate into one or both
buttocks or even into the thigh/hip
area
•
Lower back pain is considered to be
chronic if it has been present for
greater than three months. It may
originate from an injury, disease or
stresses on different structures of the
body

10. Contd.
Scoliosis
Spinal Stenosis
•
Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an
abnormal curve of the spine
•
•
It is about two times more common
in girls than boys. It can be seen at
any age, but it is most common in
those over 10 years of age
Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the
open spaces within your spine, which
can put pressure on your spinal cord
and the nerves that travel through
the spine
•
This disease occurs most often in the
neck and lower back

11. Spine care tips
•
Get the standing posture right while standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the
other, with your knees slightly bent
•
Always try to sit straight with knees slightly higher than hips
•
Maintain a healthy weight
•
Keep you core muscles strong
•
Reduce stress
•
Exercise regularly
•
Use Proper Body Mechanics When lifting, bending Or stretching

12. Must Avoid for a healthy spine
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Heavy lifting
Slouching
Poor work postures
Intense twisting while carrying/lifting
objects
No movements lifestlye
Avoid Sleeping flat on your back for a long
time as it puts heavy pressure on your
spine causing strain
Smoking
Do not take prolonged back problems
lightly

13. Spine Care Specialty at Wockhardt Hospital
•
Spine care program at Wockhardt Hospitals makes
it a centre for excellence in neurology care with
highly skilled clinical expertise
•
Our Hospitals provide cutting-edge diagnostic and
operating facilities such as computerized
navigation, imaging and treatment in orthopedics
•
A comprehensive support of neurological Services
makes it a complete program. Application of
Minimal Access Surgery minimizes the extensive
drawbacks of surgery, reducing hospital stay,
blood transfusion and results in faster recovery
Wockhardt Hospitals is accredited by the National
Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare
Providers (NABH)

14. Services at Wockhardt Hospital for Spine Care
•
Non Surgical Neurological Services
•
Management of Lumbar and Cervical Spondylosis
•
Minimal access (Microscopic/ Endoscopic
Surgeries) for cervical and lumbar disc prolapsed,
including disc replacement.
Instrumented Anterior and Posterior fusion for
• Spondylosis
• Spine trauma
• Spine and spinal cord tumor
• Spinal deformity correction

15. Bibliography
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebral_column
http://www.spine-health.com/blog/understanding-your-spine
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/humananatomy/a/howyourspinewor.htm
http://www.innerbody.com/image/skel05.html
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/spinal.html
http://www.apex-spine.com/explanation-of-the-spine.html
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/anatomy/spine/hic_the_structure_and_function_of_a_healthy_spine.aspx
http://www.ask.com/question/structure-of-the-human-spine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/spine/lumbar_vertebrae.shtml
http://www.allscan.ca/ergo/spine.htm
http://chiropracticassociates.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/how-important-is-your-spine/
http://www.foreignlanguagefriends.com/dr3sqf.cfm
http://www.trucomfort.com/blog/articles/20-amazing-facts-about-your-back
http://www.gentlecarechironorwest.com.au/back-pain-facts/
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/spine_shoulder_pelvic_disorders/f
acts_about_spine_shoulder_pelvis/Pages/index.aspx
Disclaimer: The information provided in this presentation is for education purpose only. It shouldn’t be considered as expert or medical
advice from Wockhardt Hospitals

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BeatOfHealth.com
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WockhrdtHospitals.com/contact-us/contactdetails.html
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