A Spinal Surgery Overview

The human spine is literally the backbone of our anatomy. The complexities of the spine direct bodily movements and functions. The spinal column consists of 24 vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal discs, the sacrum and the coccyx. Inside the spinal canal is the spinal cord. Spinal surgery at a Watseka hospital, both invasive and non-invasive, helps to correct backbone damage or defects.

The spinal series of nerves, bones and discs also has natural curvatures. The four regions of the spine are defined by these curvatures. The medical terms for these regions are cervical, thoracic, lumbar and pelvic. Pelvic and thoracic curvatures are called primary curves because they are also present in a human fetus. After birth, the secondary lumbar and cervical curves are developed by the time the child is 18 months old.

Injuries, birth defects and other abnormalities can cause back pain and minimized range of motion. Those suffering with spinal pain and problems have a variety of treatment options. During the initial stages, non-surgical treatment is rendered to try to improve back pain symptoms. Often medication is administered to alleviate pain. If the symptoms are persistent for more than several months, spinal surgery at a Watseka Illinois hospital might be considered.

Spinal surgery can be non-invasive, minimally invasive or more extensive, depending on the extent of the problem. When you are unable to complete basic activities, the physician will present treatment options to help you decide the right course of action.

The purpose of spinal surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion if the patient has not shown significant improvement with more conservative treatments. A specific lesion must be detected as spinal surgery is never done for exploratory purposes. Modern preoperative imaging techniques make it simpler to identify anatomical lesions to develop a successful treatment plan.

Spinal surgery is performed by neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. Basically, spinal surgery is done for three main purposes. It can decompress the spinal cord or a root nerve. Fusion surgery can stabilize a painful or unstable segment of the spine. Finally, spinal surgery can reduce a deformity, such as scoliosis surgery.

In days gone by, spinal surgery was risky and invasive. The patient underwent a serious surgical procedure with weeks of recovery. The latest spinal surgery technology is non-invasive and only rendered after other treatments and therapies are fully explored.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery procedures at a Southern Will county hospital allow patients to return home within 24 hours. The incisions can be as small as 1 to 2 inches. Minimally invasive techniques are used to treat compression fractures, stenosis and herniated discs.

With so many spinal surgery options available at a Watseka hospital, back pain does not have to be a way of life. People suffering from immobility have the chance to regain an active lifestyle by treating at a top Watseka Illinois hospital such as Riverside Medical Center. Many patients are able to resume their normal activities thanks to non-invasive spinal treatments and techniques rendered at a Southern Will County hospital. Riverside is proud to be the recipient of the HealthGrades¬® Specialty Excellence Award™ in spine surgery for being among the top 10 percent in the nation.

What You Need to Know About Durable Medical Equipment

Many individuals look forward to when they turn 65 years old. For the majority of them, they finally get to retire after nearly 40 years of work and are now eligible for the government's health insurance program, Medicare, and Social Security. As a result, they know they will be taken care of so they can retire without worry. Medicare was signed into law on July 30, 1965 during the Lyndon B Johnson administration. As part of the ceremony, President Johnson handed out the very first Medicare card to former President Harry S. Truman. Not only will President Truman be remembered as the United State's thirty-third president, he will also be known as the first Medicare beneficiary!

Medicare does not only cover health insurance for those over 65 years of age; other special groups of individuals also fall under its umbrella of care. One such exception is those who have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. The term durable medical equipment is used specifically to mean the equipment for which Medicare is obligated to pay under Title XVII of the Social Security Act. This equipment ranges from wheelchairs and hospital beds to iron lungs and oxygen tents. For those with diabetes, regardless of what type, Medicare will cover the cost of blood-testing strips and blood glucose.

All of the equipment covered by Medicare is subject to necessity of course. Individuals need to prove their need with a note from a doctor. Several large and small companies carry durable medical equipment because a growing number of US citizens are falling under Medicare. If you have Medicare and need a certain item, there is a possibility that it is covered by Title XVII. Before you make any expensive purchases, check with your doctor or a medical equipment supply company to see if Medicare will cover the cost of that item. Saving money is always a good thing!

High quality medical equipment is extremely expensive and that is why so many people are thankful for Medicare in this country. It is a relief to know that you can get the medical treatment you need after you retire. Several articles online will tell you more about durable medical equipment. Make sure you know what you are eligible for before you pay the expenses out of your own wallet!

If you would like more information about durable medical equipment or medical products, please visit the Medical Machines Online website.

Social Security Disability - 5 Tips Before You Apply

Applying for Social Security Disability or SSI is not simply an event--it is a process and a commitment. There are loads of paperwork, phone calls, medical visits and medical records, and you'll probably be denied once or twice (or more!). Your disability application is the first step in the process, and not one to be taken lightly. Before you apply, there are 5 things you should understand first.

Tip #1: Don't take shortcuts.

You may be tempted to do whatever is quickest and easiest when it comes to providing information in your disability application and in your interview. This is a big mistake. Do the extra work to gather every detail you possibly can, and make sure your case worker at the SSA has everything BEFORE your interview. Don't give Social Security any reason to put your file on the shelf--a quick decision, even if it is a denial, is actually a good thing. Why? Because of tip #2.

Tip #2: Expect a denial.

Is this pessimistic? Not really. Most disabled applicants are denied at first, and many are quite obviously disabled. In fact, statistics show that many are denied at the next level as well. If you expect this and plan accordingly, you will be prepared to appeal as soon as the disability denial comes. If you are one of the lucky few who are approved immediately, congratulations. If not, appeal quickly and get your disability claim considered again as soon as possible. The point in the disability process where you have the best chance of being approved is at the hearing level.

Tip #3: Get your own medical records.

Social Security will tell you not to worry about getting your medical records, because the workers will do that for you. I suggest that you do not allow Social Security to request all of your medical information, for three reasons:

One, doctors are often intimidated by the formal requests Social Security sends, and they feel like their license may be in question if they give too strong a recommendation for you. Thus, only about 50% of doctors actually send records in to Social Security, leaving many disability claims without the necessary medical evidence.

Two, when Social Security requests records, it usually takes much longer to get them back and processed. This means you are waiting longer than you should.

And three, getting your own medical records allows you to speak with the doctor about your disability claim. Ask him or her about your ability to work, any restrictions he or she recommends, and ask if he or she would complete a medical questionnaire with questions specific to Social Security's medical requirements. If the doctor is supportive, he or she will be happy to provide you with all the paperwork you need. If not, you'll know it is time to find another doctor.

Tip #4: Get financial backup.

Since the process of applying for disability or SSI takes so long, you may want to have a backup plan for awhile. Do not wait until you are homeless to apply for Social Security benefits. Check with family members and friends, and be prepared to sell assets or use your savings, if applicable.

If your electricity or heating is being turned off, you are being kicked out of your home, you can't afford direly necessary medications, or your life is threatened by your disability, let Social Security know immediately as they may be able to expedite your case. If your situation is extremely dire, you can always contact your state representative and ask them to contact Social Security regarding your disability claim.

Tip #5: If you are applying for SSI and are working, watch your paycheck.

If you are able to work a little, Social Security will be watching to see if you can meet SGA, or Substantial Gainful Activity. This is an income limit that is dependent on a few different variables. Ask your case worker what your current limits are, as they increase every year. If you meet or exceed SGA, your application will automatically be denied. If you have already been approved, caution is even more important--your benefits will be discontinued and you may have to pay Social Security back.

Wherever you are in the Social Security disability process, best of luck.

Becca has been involved in the Social Security world since 1995 and enjoys watching the program change peoples' lives.

Radiology Supplies - Making Medical Diagnostics Successful

The pictures taken of the inside of your body by an x-ray technician help doctors pinpoint injuries and illnesses. A break in a bone can be seen. A shadow in the chest are may indicate pneumonia or even cancer. A blocked artery can be diagnosed and treated before it ever leads to heart failure. Compensation filters help techs get the clearest picture of the affected area.

The x-ray process seems fairly straightforward - push a button, take a picture, view results - but there is so much that goes into it behind the scenes. Film and development, special lighting in the dark room and handling of the films using cassettes, cleaning the equipment to keep it in tip-top condition - all of this takes place without the patient knowing much about it.

One of the key areas that patients don't think much about is protection. Upon situating for an x-ray, a patient's sex organs are covered with a lead-lined blanket. This is to protect them from sterility and other sexual and reproductive complications. Technicians avoid taking x-rays of pregnant women whenever possible.

There's more to radiology than just x-rays, though. Any mother can tell you the joy she felt when she was given her first ultrasound to hear her baby's heart. She'll probably also be able to tell you just how cold the wand was! That problem can be eliminated by using a warmer for your gel bottles. And sanitizing cleansing solution to clean the wand will remove the risk of spreading germs from patient to patient. It is these radiology supplies that make diagnostic imaging successful.

Stephen is a writer for Universal Medical Inc.

Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of radiology supplies and health care industry products. For the complete radiology imaging line - please visit http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/diagnostic-imaging

Pediatric Office Equipment - Making a Pediatrician's Job Easier

No one wants to think about children having to spend time in the hospital, but for millions of children every year, this is the reality. It is something that outs a strain on families, scares children, stresses parents, and presents a different set of challenges to hospital staff.

Keeping an infant or toddler still is something that every parent knows the difficulty of. For x-ray technicians and surgeons it is imperative that kids remain immobile. Equipment suppliers and technical consultants have worked to develop special equipment that helps keep young patients still for a procedure, be it an x-ray or stitches, facilitating the speed and ease with which a procedure can be completed. Keeping things moving at a faster pace helps eliminate stress on the young patient.

Of course, the obvious must be dealt with, too: Children are much smaller than other patients! This requires smaller stretchers, smaller back boards, smaller blood pressure cuffs - the list goes on. As with bariatric patients, equipment must be made to size for the littlest patients, too.

Then there is patient comfort to consider. Children appreciate things they can relate to: color, shapes, images of animals. Putting a little girl at ease for an exam is as simple as replacing the plain white exam gown with a colorful printed one. It makes them feel more involved in what is being done to them, and makes them more cooperative. Pediatricians can make the effort to have printed roll paper for their exam tables that can help distract toddlers during checkups. Pediatricians have a vast array of pediatric supplies at their disposal to make their daily routine easier.

It's the little things that matter for the little patient - in every way.

Stephen is a writer for Universal Medical Inc.

Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of pediatric equipment and health care industry products. For the complete pediatric equipment line - please visit http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/pediatric-equipment

Hospital Lighting - A Bright Idea

In medieval times, rudimentary surgery was performed by candle light. Cuts were messy, sutures sloppy, mistakes were made, and patients died. Then Thomas Edison made things a lot safer for all of us! No more dentists poking around blindly, no more messy stitches.

Like any other piece of medical or surgical equipment, having the right lighting is integral. To see into a mouth or an ear, to deliver a healthy baby, to remove a tumor - these are all areas where top-notch lighting makes a difference. Second best is not an option - you need to know that a light isn't going to stop working in the middle of a procedure.

Dermatologists and dentists both use lighted magnifiers. A rash on your skin may look like one thing in natural light, but can be diagnosed as something completely different when viewed under a professional lamp. A dental surgeon can see deep into the opening of a root canal to be certain that all decay is removed.

Lighting is incredibly important in an operating room. Halogen lighting provides clean, crisp lighting inside exam rooms and operating theaters, whether ceiling mounted or on adjustable arms. Lights cannot give off glare or shadow surgeons may make mistakes. In addition to the overhead lights, surgeons use head mounted halogen spotlights to better see inside their patients.

Hospitals, clinics and dental offices of all types need adequate - above adequate - hospital lighting to ensure that patients receive accurate diagnoses and the best possible care.

Stephen is a writer for Universal Medical Inc.

Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of hospital lighting and health care industry products. For the complete hospital lighting line - please visit http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/medical-lighting

Arm Surgery Tables Making a Difficult Procedure Less Stressful

Whether repairing the effects of a spinal cord injury (via tendon transfer) for patients exhibiting tetraplegia, or opening a carpal tunnel to relieve pressure and numbness, arm surgery tables are an invaluable surgical aid, allowing surgeons immediate and unhampered access to the area in question.

Lightweight yet stable, with optional removable legs, these arm surgery tables slot into an operating room table easily and guarantee 'wiggle-free' surfaces during delicate, exacting surgeries like an AV (arteriovenous) fistula, an abnormal connection or passageway between an artery and a vein.

Arm surgery tables are also invaluable during C-arm procedures, or fluoroscopy (a continuous X-ray scan) prior to surgery to correct injuries or anomalies in the limb, and fasten or mount easily in scanning suites for pre-operative evaluation by surgeons.

Arm surgery tables, available in both rectangular and hourglass models, allow surgical room personnel to adjust the table height via support legs, or provide extra room for the surgeon's elbows and essential equipment, and many come equipped with built-in handles for portability and easier storage when not in use. Pads are available for all models for added patient comfort, and many arm surgery tables come equipped with integral mounting clips for easy installation and removal.

The star of this panoply is undeniably the Carbon Light table, with or without leg. The Carbon Light provides the paradigm of table stability, is compatible with any standard operating room table, and comes in a standard and ultra-lightweight model as well as the surgeon-preferred hourglass shape.

Whether stitching up a wound, or performing the most delicate tendon transfer, arm surgery tables put the affected area front and center, which is precisely where skilled surgeons want it.

Stephen is a writer for Universal Medical Inc.

Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of arm surgery tables and health care industry products. For the complete arm surgery table line - please visit http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/operating-room/arm-tables