Drew Stein, MD- Orthopedic Surgeon Specializing in Sports Medicine

Understanding the Basic Anatomy of the Spine

Your spine is one of the most important structures in your body. In fact, your spin helps to support the weight of your body, provides stability and balance, and enables you to move and bend freely. Unfortunately, your spine may begin to break down over time and increase the risk of injury or painful conditions. While your New York orthopedic surgeon can help diagnose spinal complications, it is important to brush up on the basic anatomy of your spine before setting up a consultation.

Major Sections
Your spine is broken down into three major sections. These sections include the cervical spine located in the neck, the thoracic spine through the midsection, and the lumbar spine in the lower back. Each of these sections plays a critical role in the overall health of your spine.

Vertebrae
Each section of your spine contains a certain amount of bones known as vertebrae. The cervical spine, for example, contains seven vertebral bones while the thoracic spine contains twelve. The lumbar spine contains five vertebral bones located just above the sacrum, or upper portion of the pelvis. There are also several parts of each vertebral bone itself including the primary weight-bearing area, the lamina (which covers the spinal canal), and the hole in the center of the bone that allows the spinal nerves to exit.

Intervertebral Discs
The vertebrae in your spine are separated by soft, fluid-filled discs that work as shock absorbers and cushion your spine. The hard outer portion of these intervertebral discs is known as the annulus. The softer, inner portion is the nucleus.

Joints and Nerves
There are approximately eight cervical nerves, twelve thoracic nerves, five lumbar nerves, five sacral nerves, and one coccygeal nerve within your spine. Additionally, there are a number of fibrous bands of tissue called facet joints located in your spine which connect and maintain the alignment of your vertebrae.

Chronic back and neck pain may be caused by a problem affecting any one of the above spinal structures. Get the care you need by contacting Drew A. Stein, MD at (212) 398-2300. We also provide sports medicine services and treatment for ACL tears and knee injuries.

Learn More About Orthopedic Care For Your Sports Injuries Here

Sports injuries should always be taken very seriously, especially concussions and other head injuries. To learn more about some common sports injuries and how to care for them, check out these links from around the web:

• Concussion symptoms can be transient and varied, so it’s important to know what they are. Learn some of the most common signs of a concussion in this guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
• Read more about second impact syndrome, including a real-life story of a surviving athlete, on KnowConcussion.org.
   
• Get a more in-depth look at iliotibial band syndrome, a common hip issue that can be treated with physical therapy, in this article on RunnersWorld.com.
    
• Learn how arthroscopic surgery procedures can be used to relieve pain from a labral tear hip injury on the Mayo Clinic website.
    
• Concussions are serious head injuries that affect the brain. Read more about how concussions have been linked to suppressed brain functioning years after injury on the Illinois News Bureau website.

Drew Stein, MD is an arthroscopic and orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and the treatment of sports-related injuries in New York. He has extensive experience treating head, shoulder, neck, back, knee, elbow, hip, and foot and ankle injuries. Visit our website or call (212) 398-2300 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stein.

Understanding the Dangers of Concussions

Concussions are common sports injuries that can occur due to trauma to the head. Although head injuries are often ignored, they can lead to serious neurological damage or even death. Even if you feel fine or your son or daughter appears fine following a head injury, you should still seek professional medical care as soon as possible. Here is a look at some of the dangers of concussions.

• Concussions most often result from traumatic blows to the head. However, they can also result from blows to the neck or body in which the force is then translated to the head, resulting in injury. In many cases, a concussion results from a blow during a sports game that doesn’t directly involve the head, so it’s important to see a doctor for all sports-related injuries.
   
• All concussions result in some kind of neurological change, leading to symptoms developing over time such as headaches and nausea, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or even behavioral effects such as feelings of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. In most cases, these symptoms will abate within one to two weeks, but in some cases symptoms can linger, affecting a person’s lifestyle and functioning. In these cases, it is especially important to see a doctor regarding treatment for the injury.
   
• Though rare, the most dangerous complication of a concussion is called second impact syndrome. In these cases, an athlete experiences a second sports injury leading to concussion before the initial concussion has healed. The shock of the first concussion leaves the brain in a vulnerable state, and even a small second impact can result in death. This is why it’s so important to see a doctor after any sports injury, especially a head injury.

Visit Drew Stein, MD for proper diagnosis and treatment of concussions and other sport-related injuries in New York. Dr. Stein specializes in sports medicine, including injuries to the head, shoulders, and back. For more information, visit our website or call (212) 398-2300.

Tips for Preventing Sports Injuries

Going to the gym is a great way to get fit, but if you’re not careful and prepared, you can end up injuring yourself. This video gives tips on how to prevent sports injuries, particularly when working out. You’ll learn the importance of having any previous health conditions or injuries assessed by a doctor before starting. You should also remember to always start slow. In other words, start with walking before moving on to running or more difficult activities. To learn more about staying safe at the gym, be sure to check out this video.

Sports injuries can be serious and you should see a doctor before beginning a routine or if you injure yourself while working out. Visit Drew Stein, MD of New York for diagnosis and care of all sports-related injuries. To learn more, visit us on the web or call (212) 398-2300 today.

The Patient's Guide to Common Hip Issues

Many sports and activities can cause injuries to your hips. Most of the time, these types of injuries require physical therapy treatment with a doctor specializing in sports injury, though in some cases treatment by an orthopedic surgeon is recommended. Here is closer look at some common hip issues and the treatment that you may need to undergo.

• ITB syndrome: Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is an overuse injury which affects the ligament running from your hip to your shin, resulting in inflammation around the knee area. ITB syndrome is caused by movements in which the leg turns inward, which may result from worn-down shoes or running on banked surfaces or a track in only one direction. This condition is typically addressed with rest and physical therapy.
   
• Athletic pubalgia: A sports hernia is a soft tissue injury in the groin area. Sports hernias are caused by activities that require twisting or rapid changing of direction, resulting in tears in the ligaments, tendons, or muscles of the groin. Initial pain after the sports injury may fade, but will return with twisting movements if physical therapy treatment is not pursued. In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the tear.
    
• Piriformis syndrome: Marked by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle near your hip, this condition causes symptoms such as pain, numbness, or tingling in your buttocks and leg, making sports or other activities difficult. Treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy to relieve the pain and return range of motion.
    
• Labral tear: These injuries affect the soft tissue lining the socket of your hip joint, the labrum, which holds your thighbone in place. Sports involving twisting or rigorous use of the hips, such as golf and soccer, can often result in injuries to the labrum. Physical therapy is often the first treatment applied, but in some cases arthroscopic surgery is used to repair the labrum to relieve pain.

Drew Stein, MD specializes in orthopedic and arthroscopic surgery in New York. Whether you have a sore hip or a painful hernia, Dr. Stein can help you get back in peak physical condition. Visit our website or call (212) 398-2300 to learn how Dr. Stein can help alleviate the pain and discomfort of your sports-related injury.