Blog Archive
Your spine is cushioned by rubbery discs that sit between your vertebral bones. Spinal discs are durable, but injury and age-related degeneration can make them break open. When a disc breaks (herniates), the jelly-like interior leaks out and presses against your spinal cord. It’s called a herniated disc and is one of...
A meniscus tear happens when the cartilage that cushions your knee gets damaged. It’s one of the most common types of knee injuries — especially in sports — and unfortunately, it can be intensely painful. If you suffer a meniscus tear, you might feel a popping sensation and pain at the time of your...
Acne is the most common skin condition among teens and adults alike. In fact, around 50 million Americans suffer from acne every year. Acne breakouts can be painful and embarrassing—and unfortunately, acne’s effects don’t stop once those breakouts clear up. Severe acne often leaves scars that mark your skin for years after...
The human body has about 300 joints, from small joints in fingers and toes to large joints like shoulders and hips. Your joints allow you to move your body, but injury and degeneration can take that ability away. In fact, about one in four American adults is living with joint pain. And nearly...
Have you noticed a crackling sensation when you use your shoulder? Do you hear an audible pop when you lift your arm? These symptoms can be worrisome, and it’s time to find out what could be causing them. Crepitus is the medical term for that popping or crackling sensation. It...
Are you bothered by shoulder pain? Do you have trouble when you’re lying down or sleeping on one of your shoulders? Have you noticed weakness in your shoulder or arm? It could be a rotator cuff injury, one of the most common types of shoulder injuries among adults of all...
Cartilage is a type of soft tissue that cushions your joints. It’s naturally durable, but it’s susceptible to injury and degeneration, leading to joint pain and stiffness. Cartilage in nearly any joint can suffer an injury, but it’s particularly common in the knee. Torn or damaged cartilage in your knee...
Your spine stretches the full length of your back, from your neck to your pelvis. It contains a total of 24 vertebral bones, plus two fused bones called the sacrum and coccyx, and all of these bones work together to support your body and protect your spinal cord. Your spine...
Spinal discs cushion the bones and nerves in your spine. Your spine has 23 discs in total, with 6 in the cervical area (neck), 12 in the mid-back, and 5 in the lumbar area (lower back). Healthy spinal discs are slick, rubbery pads that absorb shock and give motion to...
Herniated discs are common, with about 2% of Americans suffering one each year. Also known as bulging discs, the condition develops due to injury or overuse. A herniated disc breaks open, allowing the inner material to leak out and press against your spinal cord. A disc herniation can develop in...
Do you play sports? Millions of Americans do. But did you know that participating in sports is a major cause of injury in the United States? In fact, an estimated 8.6 million Americans between the ages of 5 and 24 suffer sports-related injuries each year. Sports injuries range from mild...
It’s no secret that your skin changes over the years. Older skin is thinner and more delicate than youthful skin. Add to that repetitive facial expressions and loss of volume, and you get lines and wrinkles. These changes are a natural part of getting older. But seeing those lines, wrinkles,...
Have you tried Botox®? If your answer is yes, you know how it can transform your look and your confidence. But even if your answer is no, chances are high that you have a friend, family member, or coworker who has. More than 7 million Botox procedures are done every...
The shoulders is the most mobile joint in the human body, and your rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that hold it together. The rotator cuff keeps your arm bone securely in place in your shoulder socket. It plays a very important role when you lift, reach,...
Your spine has a stack of vertebral bones. The moveable bones are separated and cushioned by vertebral discs, but these discs are susceptible to damage. In fact, herniated discs are a leading cause of back pain among adults of all ages. They can happen in a sudden injury, but just...
Are you living with neck pain? You’re not alone. An estimated 80% of people suffer neck pain and stiffness at some point in their lives. Most of the time, acute neck pain dissipates on its own. But if your pain lingers for days, weeks, or months, a chronic condition or...
Your knee joints are cushioned by two pads of cartilage called menisci. Each meniscus is C-shaped and cups either side of your knee, protecting the bones from grinding as you bend your leg. Meniscus tears are some of the most common causes of knee pain. Sudden impact or injury can...
Sports medicine is the specialty in health care that’s focused on physical fitness and overall wellness. Sports medicine doctors are trained in diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries in athletes of all levels, but the benefits of sports medicine care go far beyond the playing field. Could sports medicine improve...
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a fibrous band of tissue in your knee that connects your thigh bone and shin bone. It’s essential for joint stability and motion. Unfortunately, ACL tears are some of the most common sports injuries — affecting several hundred thousand athletes every year. Abrupt changes...
Your rotator cuff is a group of tendons that connect the muscles and bones in your arm to your torso. Whenever you use your shoulder — whether you’re reaching out or lifting up — you’re using your rotator cuff. As one of the most flexible joints in your body, your...
Your spine contains 31 pairs of spinal nerves that connect your brain to the rest of your body. These nerves branch out from your spinal cord, starting in your neck and ending in your lower back. Each pair exits your spine in two places, one on the right and one...
Five vertebral bones make up your lower back — also called your lumbar spine. These bones stack together and form the base of your spine. They support your body weight, but they’re susceptible to damage from repetitive activity and injury. Spondylolisthesis is a back condition that develops when vertebrae slip...
Back pain might be common among American adults, but it can be surprisingly difficult to treat. Common causes of chronic back pain range from herniated discs to spinal stenosis, and the pain affects each person in different ways. There are lots of nonsurgical options to help you manage back pain,...
Cartilage is the tough, slick substance that cushions your joints and helps bones glide smoothly. The cartilage inside your knee that protects your upper and lower leg bones is called the meniscus, and a meniscus tear is an injury that affects it. An acute injury can damage the meniscus, causing...
Pain is a sign that something isn’t right, but it’s also complicated to identify and treat. It ranges from temporary pangs of discomfort to chronic pain that has the power to lower your quality of life. Back pain is a top cause of disability worldwide, yet many people hesitate to...
Slipped disc. Ruptured disc. Bulging disc. Herniated disc. Whatever you call it, it’s one of the most common sources of neck and lower back pain. Herniated discs develop when the soft gel inside a vertebral disc leaks out. The damaged disc often creates pressure on nearby nerves or spinal ligaments,...
The cervical vertebrae are the most delicate part of your spine, located in your neck. When one of the discs cushioning your cervical vertebrae gets damaged or deteriorates, it may cause discomfort in your head and neck, or even radiate down your arms. When your quality of life is compromised...
Does your shoulder hurt? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone: Nearly two thirds of people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. Your shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in your body, and it’s made up of a complex network of tendons, muscles,...
A meniscus tear is an injury that affects the cartilage in your knee. Cartilage cushions the bones in your joints, and a tear can cause significant pain, swelling, and stiffness. When it first happens, you may be able to continue bearing weight and using your knee. But within a few...
Spinal discs are the roundish cushions of rubbery material between your vertebral bones. The natural aging process or acute injury can force these discs to shift or break, causing a disc to become a source of pain and limit your mobility. Bulging discs and herniated discs are two of the...
Few things are scarier for athletes than the thought of injury. But for those with active lifestyles, getting injured is something that many athletes face at one time or another, regardless of age, gender, or sport. An injury means you’ll have to stop playing your favorite sport or participating in...
Take a moment to consider the extraordinarily wide range of motion your shoulder joints provide your arms. You can reach around and scratch your back or lift your arms overhead to wave hello. Powering much of this range, while also providing stability, is your rotator cuff. So when a problem...
Your cervical spine and lower back have important jobs to do: one supports your head and neck, while the other provides stability for your spine and pelvis. When the discs between the bones of your spine are damaged, the bones can pinch nerves that run up and down on either...
When your ability to walk or move relies on a surgeon’s skills, finding the right one can be intimidating. To make matters more challenging, it’s not always easy to weed through all of the information and advice to find the one who’s best for your needs. At New York Spine...