Questions and Answers

Some experts believe that genetics play an important part in causing Scoliosis. It’s a result of the expression of multiple genes, but it has something that’s called variable penetrance, meaning that in each generation variability in how strongly the genes are expressed — specifically how severe the curve appears. A valid question to ask is: […] Read More

This question occurs very often. Scoliosis is a disorder of the spine where the vertebrae rotate, creating a spinal curve either in the upper or the lower back. Read More

Current treatments available for spinal cord patients with lumbar injuries include: Drugs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs are used in treating spinal cord injuries. The quicker these drugs are initiated after injury, the better the result for the patient by reducing inflammation around the spinal cord is. Surgery: Surgical decompression of the nerves and fusion of […] Read More

There are several types of spinal cord injuries that can affect the lumbar spine: Sacralization Where lumbarization is the presence of an extra bone in the lumbar spinal column due to the failure of the first and second sacral spine to fuse, sacralization is the fusing of the L5 vertebra with the sacral spine. This […] Read More

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries at the lumbar level are: Motor vehicle accidents; Trauma; Falls; Birth defect; Degeneration; Osteoporosis. Read More

Patients with lumbar spinal cord injuries may experience: Paraplegia with functional independence; The need for a manual wheelchair for part-time or full-time use; Ability to ambulate using braces or other walking devices; Lack of bowel or bladder control.  Read More

Injuries to the lumbar spine are severe but not life-threatening. Early treatment is important to the prognosis of lumbar spinal cord damage. Patients with a lumbar spinal cord injury can be independent and care for their own mobility and hygienic needs. Many patients are able to maneuver around in their manual wheelchair and may even […] Read More

While most people have only five lumbar vertebrae, there are cases where someone could have an extra lumbar vertebra. This is called lumbarization. It is usually the result of the first and second parts of the sacrum failing to fuse, creating an extra bone in the spinal column. In the majority of cases, this condition […] Read More

The L5 vertebra is the final section of the lumbar spine (at least, it is for most people). Injury to the L5 spinal nerve bundle can cause numbness and weakness in the legs, but the extent of these symptoms can vary from case to case. Read More

L4 vertebra is the second to last section of the lumbar spinal column. While injuries to the L4 vertebra tend to be less severe than injuries to the spinal cord proper, symptoms include an inability to bend the feet in a particular direction. Read More