What is a Delusional Disorder? Delusional disorder, previously called paranoid disorder, is a type of serious mental illness — called a “psychosis”— in which a person cannot tell what is real from what is imagined. The main feature of this disorder is the presence of delusions, which are unshakable beliefs in something untrue. People with…
What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis (pronounced ank-kih-low-sing spon-dill-eye-tiss), or AS, is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints. this inflammation can lead to ankylosis — new bone formation in the spine — causing sections of the spine to fuse…
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. In scoliosis, the spine curves to the side when viewed from the front, and each involved vertebra also twists on the next one in a corkscrew fashion. This twisting is known as rotoscoliosis. This may cause one shoulder to be higher than…
What is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction? Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a condition where the sacroiliac joint, which connects the sacrum to the ilium, becomes tender and swollen. This can cause pain in the lower back and buttocks that may radiate down into the legs. Treatment for this condition typically involves resting, over-the-counter painkillers, muscle relaxants, and…
What is Sciatica Pain? Sciatica is a condition that can lead to pain in the low back and legs. It occurs when pain travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in your lower spine, and travels through your hip and buttock and down the back of your leg to your foot….
What is Lumbar Spondylolisthesis? Lumbar Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the lumbar vertebrae in the spine moves forward relative to the vertebrae below it, causing pain or weakness. The most common area for spondylolisthesis to occur is within the bottom level of the lumbar spine between L5-S1. This slippage can lead to pressure on the…
What is a Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease? Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition that affects the spine. It is most commonly found in older individuals and is characterized by changes in the intervertebral discs, which are the shock absorbers of the spine. The discs become less elastic with age, and are subject to…
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? Lumbar Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves at the level of the lumbar vertebrae….
What is Synovial Chondromatosis? Synovial chondromatosis (also called synovial osteochondromatosis) is a rare, benign (noncancerous) condition that involves the synovium, which is the thin layer of tissue that lines the joints. Synovial chondromatosis can arise in any joint in the body, but most commonly occurs in the knee. Although the condition is not cancerous, it…
What is a Osteochondritis dissecans? Osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kon-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz) is a joint condition in which bone underneath the cartilage of a joint dies due to lack of blood flow. This bone and cartilage can then break loose, causing pain and possibly hindering joint motion. Osteochondritis dissecans occurs most often in children and adolescents. It can…
