herniated disc

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

overview

People often assume that everyone who has back painback painNon-specific term used to describe pain below the cervical spine has a ruptured discdiscThe intervertebral disc - cartilaginous cushion found between the vertebrae of the spinal column. It may bulge.... However, a true herniated nucleus pulposusnucleus pulposusThe semi-gelatinous tissue in the center of an intervertebral disc. It is surrounded and contained by the annu... (the medical name for this problem) is not very common.

 

The spine is made up of vertebraevertebraeThe individual bones of the spine are the vertebrae. These are the building blocks of the spinal column. The v... separated by shock absorbing cushions called intervertebral discs. Each disc has a strong outer ring of fibers, called the annulusannulusEach disc has a strong outer ring of fibers called the annulus, and a soft, jelly-like center called the nucle..., and a soft, jelly-like center, called the nucleus pulposus.

A herniated discherniated discInjury to the disc may occur when neck motion puts too much pressure on the disc. One of the most painful inju... occurs when the intervertebral disc's outer fibers (the annulus) are damaged and the soft inner material of the nucleus pulposus ruptures out of its normal space. If the annulus tears near the spinal canalspinal canalThe bony channel that is formed by the intravertebral foramen of the vertebrae and in which contains the spina..., the nucleus pulposus material can push into the spinal canal. When this occurs, usually sudden, sharp pain is the first symptom. Although a herniated disc can happen anywhere in the back, it most often affects the lower back and pain can radiate into the buttocks and down the legs.

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