Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or pressure against the nerve roots of the sciatic nerve. People with sciatica usually have a shooting pain down the back of the leg. But they also may have leg weakness, tingling, or numbness. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the...

What is acute flaccid myelitis? Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare condition that affects the spinal cord. It causes certain muscles and reflexes in the body to stop working normally. What causes it? Experts are still doing research to find the exact cause of AFM. It may be linked to certain viruses. This includes...

Discusses how to live with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device that helps control heart rhythm. Gives safety guidelines and tips for travel, exercise, and making an ICD shock plan.

What is bladder pain syndrome (BPS)? Bladder pain syndrome (BPS), also called interstitial cystitis, is a condition that causes pain in the bladder or pelvis. The pain can be severe. It also causes an urgent, frequent need to urinate. What causes BPS? Some doctors think BPS may be caused by abnormal changes in the...

Discusses ankylosing spondylitis, a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the spine. Covers causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

For arthroscopic jaw surgery, the surgeon inserts a pencil-thin, lighted tube (arthroscope) into the jaw joint through a small incision in the skin. The arthroscope is connected to a small camera outside the body that transmits a close-up image of the joint to a TV screen. The surgeon can insert surgical tools through...

Open-joint arthroplasty is surgery to repair, reposition, replace, or remove parts in a joint. When used to treat temporomandibular disorder (TMD), this usually involves the articular disc that cushions the jaw joint. During open-joint arthroplasty of the jaw, an incision is made in the skin to expose the jaw joint. The...

Covers surgery to replace the ends of bones in a damaged joint. Includes slideshow on knee replacement. Looks at why surgery is done, risks, and how well it works. Discusses what to expect after surgery and living with a knee replacement.

Flat head syndrome means that a baby's head is flat in the back or on one side. Most often, it's from lying on the back or lying with the head to one side for long periods of time. Sometimes a baby's forehead, cheek, or ear may get pushed forward a...

Cervical spinal fusion is surgery that joins two or more of the vertebrae in your neck. When these bones are joined together, it's called fusion. After the joints are fused, they can no longer move. During the surgery, the doctor uses bone to make a "bridge" between your vertebrae. This bridge may be strengthened with...

What is cervical spondylosis? Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the neck, it's called cervical spondylosis. These changes don't always cause symptoms. But they are a...

Spondylolysis is a defect or fracture of one or both of the wing-shaped parts of a vertebra. It most often happens in the vertebrae of the lower spine. The wing-shaped parts help keep the vertebrae in place. When they are missing or damaged, a vertebra can slide forward or backward over the bone below it, sometimes...

Learn what effects COVID-19 may have on the body long after recovery.

Exercise is an important part of cardiac rehab. You may do some new exercises and may be asked to monitor yourself when you exercise. Your rehab team will design a specific exercise program for you. It might range from a supervised program monitored by an exercise professional to an independent, self-managed program...

Covers causes of sciatica such as a bulging or ruptured disc, spinal stenosis, and bone spurs. Looks at symptoms such as pain in your back or buttocks. Includes treatment with a cold pack, medicines, and exercises to relieve pain.

What is spondylolisthesis? In spondylolisthesis, one bone in your back ( vertebra) slides forward over the bone below it. It most often occurs in the lower spine ( lumbosacral area). In some cases, this may lead to your spinal cord or nerve roots being squeezed. This can cause back pain and numbness or weakness in one...

What is lumbar spondylosis? Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the lower back, it's called lumbar spondylosis. These changes don't always cause symptoms. But they are a...

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) may start while you are in the hospital. The hospital (inpatient) program is one part, or phase, of your cardiac rehab. This phase emphasizes exercise and education. A hospital program may include: A customized exercise program, based on your medical history, clinical condition, and...

Your cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) might include an exercise program that you do at home. You might start this program after you go home from the hospital. The home program can be one part, or phase, of your cardiac rehab. The goals of a home program include: Making a smooth transition from hospital to home. Taking...

You can use paraffin wax (which may be called either paraffin or wax) to apply moist heat to your hands or feet to ease the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. Paraffin wax especially helps to reduce pain and loosen up your hand and finger joints before exercise. You will need: 4 lb (1.8 kg) of paraffin wax. Paraffin...

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a disorder of the upper part of the thighbone (head of the femur) that causes breakdown of the head of the femur. This is followed by new bone formation. LCPD develops because of loss of blood flow to the head of the femur. This causes breakdown (avascular necrosis) and deformity of...