Articles
Surgery for low back pain Closing the gap in spinal surgery Dr Paul Licina trials new device to prevent disc herniation Spinal injury hopes New device prevents disc reherniation Brisbane Private Hospital sets the benchmark in surgical imaging 2012 Brisbane Private Hospital sets the benchmark in surgical imaging 2013
Lumbar back pain
Most cases of back pain improve with time, rehabilitation, and pain management but in some cases, surgery is required, Dr Licina uses advanced techniques to deal with these types of degenerative conditions.
Understanding Rehabilitation for Chronic Back Pain
In chronic low back pain, spinal surgery may not be possible, or may only be considered after all other forms of treatment have been undertaken e.g. spinal injections and/or a spinal rehabilitation program. After a thorough medical assessment to rule out serious or operable pathology, spinal rehabilitation may be recommended. Spinal rehabilitation consists of: Core […]
Scheuermann’s Disease
What is it? This is a frightening name for a common condition. There is much variation and some confusion with how this word is used. The following is a brief outline: Scheuermann’s Kyphosis A Danish radiologist (specialist who interprets x-rays) in the 1920s wrote an article describing the x-ray changes in a condition described as […]
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The Spine in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Severe scoliosis eventually affects most boys with DMD. Spinal fusion is an effective treatment. The spine is almost always affected in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the majority, the child develops a scoliosis. This means that looking from the back, there is a sideways curve to the […]
Understanding Lumbar Stenosis and Lumbar Laminectomy
Lumbar Stenosis What is it? The word ‘stenosis’ means narrowing. Spinal stenosis means narrowing of the spinal canal causing compression or squashing of the spinal cord and nerves. When it occurs in the lumbar spine or low back region, the nerves to the legs are affected. Why does it happen? The most common cause is […]
Understanding Lumbar Disc Prolapse and Lumbar Discectomy
Lumbar Disc Prolapse How does it happen? Unfortunately, our discs deteriorate with age. When we are children, the inner nucleus in our disc is like a soft gel and it is held in by the outer annulus which is tough and strong. With age, the nucleus dries out and becomes less spongy, and annulus becomes […]
Pathology
Disc Degeneration and Aging Overview This is a complex issue. Normal ageing processes lead to changes in the motion segment. These occur to different degrees in different people and the rate is related to: Intrinsic factors (e.g. genetic makeup) Extrinsic factors (e.g. injury, smoking, occupation) It is difficult to distinguish between what is normal and […]
Anatomy of the lumbar spine
Overview The spine is made up of the neck (cervical spine), midback (thoracic spine), and low back (lumbosacral spine – lumbar spine and sacrum). Here we are discussing the low back. The spine is a very complex structure and is difficult to understand. I have tried to simplify it to help you understand it, but […]