Healthcare News
Smoke break: New study strengthens link between smoking and increased fracture risk in men
It's no secret that puffing cigarettes is the culprit behind a whole host of ailments, including respiratory diseases and cancers of the lungs and throat. But a new University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) study has revealed that male smokers—who, demographically, are more likely than women to light up—are also placing themselves at a significantly increased risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures, and early death.
Early study suggests a new, injectable gel may greatly reduce chronic low back pain
An experimental formulation of a hydrogel, injected into spinal discs, proved safe and effective in substantially relieving chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD), according to new research to be presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting, in Boston.
Can COVID-19 cause neck pain?
Some people with COVID-19 experience neck pain, soreness, and stiffness. In some cases, neck pain can be a persistent symptom of long COVID.
Pool therapy beats physical therapy for chronic low back pain
Aquatic (pool) therapy and physical therapy are two treatments that can reduce pain. But which is better for chronic low back pain? A small randomized trial published online Jan. 3, 2022, by JAMA Network Open suggests that buoyancy has the edge.
Vertebral body tethering: Another option for treating scoliosis in children
Fusion surgery has been the long-standing treatment for people with scoliosis—a side-to-side curve of the spine. But other options have become available—including vertebral body tethering for children with scoliosis.