Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is not uncommon after anterior cervical spine fusion. In the process of cutting through skin and soft tissue around the throat, damage can be done to some of the nerves in that area. The nerves are tiny and not always visible.

Your surgeon may not have communicated his or her knowledge and understanding of dysphagia as a postoperative complication in a way that would have made a better connection with you as the patient.

Many people suffer from headaches triggered by various food substances. Sometimes the reaction is a delayed food intolerance with a variety of symptoms including headache, joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, acne, and so on. In other cases, a full-blown migraine can begin.

Migraine headaches can occur in children. Usually these migraines are inherited. Studies show that migraines tend to drop off for men and women after midlife. Pregnancy is a unique time of life for many women. Some who have never had migraines develop them as a result of the increased estrogen in the system.

Fractures of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) can be stabilized without surgery by using a special apparatus called a halo vest. The vest is made of durable plastic that fits over the chest with a supportive collar around the neck. Four long, vertical metal rods attach the vest to a crown around the entire head. Metal screws hold the halo portion to the skull.

Upper cervical spine fractures (C1-C2) are treated using a halo vest when surgery isn't an option or when the patient wants to avoid surgery. Many patients seem to do quite well with this treatment and have good results. There is some thought that older adults take longer to heal and have more complications. But a recent study from Germany reported no real difference between patients older than 65 and younger than 65.

Fractures of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) can be stabilized without surgery by using a special apparatus called a halo vest. The vest is made of durable plastic that fits over the chest with a supportive collar around the neck. Four long, vertical metal rods attach the vest to a crown around the entire head. Metal screws hold the halo portion to the skull.

Anyone who suffers from migraine headaches or knows someone who does will be interested in the information presented in this article. The authors (two physicians from The New York Headache Center) review the known or suspected pathology behind this painful condition. And they discuss the role of foods as triggers and supplements as treatment for migraines.

Artificial disc replacement (ADR) have been in use in Europe for many years. But they are relatively new in the United States. The first ADR were approved by the FDA in 2004 for the lumbar spine (low back).

Artificial disc replacement (ADR) is relatively new. In June 2004, the first ADR for the lumbar spine (low back) was approved by the FDA for use in the US. Replacing a damaged disc in the cervical spine (neck) is a bit trickier. The disc is part of a complex joint in the spine. Making a replacement disc that works and that will last is not an easy task.

Cervical myelopathy doesn't always present with obvious signs and symptoms. Sometimes people have this condition and don't even know it. Cervical myelopathy is a degenerative condition that occurs with aging. Adults affected most often are 50 years old and older. The term myelopathy refers to any problem that affects the spinal cord, but especially compression of the spinal cord. Cervical tells us the area affected is the cervical spine (neck region).