anatomy of the back and neck

moving me forward™

Your movement may be limited, but your options don't have to be. See how other patients conquered their pain and get started on your own journey to recovery.

Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski
Inspirational college coach and DePuy joint recipient.

watch a spine pep-talk from Coach Kread Coach K's story

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"It's not worth living with pain."

http://prod.neverst.depuy.edgesuite.net/patients/media/depuy-spine.mp4
http://prod.neverst.depuy.edgesuite.net/patients/media/depuy-spine.mp4
"It's not worth living with pain."

patient journeys: Back and Neck

Isabelle’s Journey

Isabelle’s Journey

How bracing myself for a test, lead to my brace being removed.

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read Coach K's story

"Hi, I'm Mike Krzyzewski, coach of Duke University's Men's Basketball team. If you could take a journey to move better, live better, why wouldn't you? I did when I had joint replacement surgery.

"I'm here to tell you that you have two opponents. Pain and lack of mobility. Pain can get you down every day. Lack of mobility can lead to decreased speed and loss of endurance. With speed and endurance loss, you don't stay competitive and you spend energy just trying to catch up. But you've got to fight your opponents to stay in the game.

"I know it isn't always easy. There was a part of me that thought of stopping, giving up coaching altogether. I would never have won two Olympic team medals and four NCAA Championships if I hadn't had my surgeries.

"Now, I don't have to overcompensate for injury and pain. I'm more active than before, I have relief from pain and I'm even quicker on my feet. People say I look better now. Do you want your life back the way it should be? You have two choices, a continued downward spiral or take action.

"So don't let the injury win. You don't need to live in pain. That's why I want to encourage you to empower yourself. Get educated, develop a personal treatment plan with your doctor, build a team of support and commit to reclaiming your life. Remember, this is a major event in your life—treat it as such. What you put into it will multiply for you at the end of the journey."
 

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Back and Neck

Post Surgery

This document will help you learn more about care and rehabilitation immediately after surgery:

Click Here

Surgical After Care

Learn about after care for spinal surgery including

  • what to expect the first few days following surgery
  • what the various medical staff will be looking for in your progress
  • what considerations will be made with your diet, medication, and activities
  • what special instructions should be considered

Click Here

Rehabilitation

Learn about spinal rehabilitation including

  • what happens on your first visit to a physical therapist
  • what treatments are used to control pain and symptoms
  • how exercise helps you recover
  • how therapy can train you to do your activities safely

Click Here

anatomy of the back and neck

The spine gives the body structure and support. Without it, people could not stand up or keep themselves upright. It allows free movement and flexibility. The spine is also designed to protect the spinal cordspinal cordThe spinal cord is a column of millions of nerve fibers that run through your spinal canal. It extends from th..., a column of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body. Without the spinal cord, people wouldn‘t be able to move any parts of their bodies, or control their organs.

 

The spine is made up of 24 bones, called vertebraevertebraeThe individual bones of the spine are the vertebrae. These are the building blocks of the spinal column. The v.... There are three main sections: the seven vertebrae that make up the cervical spine, often referred to as the neck; the 12 vertebrae making up the thoracic spinethoracic spineThe thoracic spine is made up of the middle 12 vertebra of the spine. These vertebrae connect to your ribs and... or the mid-back; and the five vertebrae (some people have six) making up the lumbar spinelumbar spineThe lowest part of the spine is called the lumbar spine. This area has five vertebrae. The lumbar spine's shap..., which is commonly called the lower back.

The normal spine has an "S"-like curve when viewed from the side. Even though the lower portion of the spine holds most of the body's weight, each segment relies upon the strength of the others to function properly.

understanding back and neck anatomy

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lumbar (lower back) fusion

To view the animation click here

cervical spine (neck) fusion

To view the animation click here

minimally invasive tlif

To view the animation click here

mis lateral fusion

To view the animation click here
May 15 2012 - 19:17:49