Discs may be thought of as "shock absorbers" that nature placed between adjoining bones of the spine (vertebrae). They largely consist of gelatinous material encased in a tough outer fiber. As proficient as discs are at performing their task of cushioning the vertebrae from one another, age and/or trauma may conspire to rupture them. This condition commonly goes under the misnomer of "slipped disc," a term which is as misleading as it is incorrect. More accurately descriptive terms are "herniated" or "prolapsed" discs, which imply displacement or a bulging effect. Whatever name it goes by, a ruptured disc can be painful, as pressure is exerted on nearby nerves. In some cases, a prolapsed disc will repair itself. Otherwise, surgical intervention may be necessary to remedy the condition.

Small-boned women are at particular risk for osteoporosis, especially after menopause. However, this is a treatable condition that responds well to therapy if caught in time. Check with your doctor to see how you can be helped. If you would like more information on this topic, please call THE J.A.D. ORTHOPEDIC CENTER at 629-3874 today. Education and preventative medicine are a major part of our practice. We offer our patients a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Our office hours are Mon.-Fri. 7am-6pm, Sat. 8-12. We are conveniently located at 912 Montgomery Street. Our staff will be happy to help you with your insurance forms.

Don't forget to sign up for the Aug 12th 10K Road Race to benefit Special Olympics!