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Spine

Your spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae that stack on top of each other to form a column, also known as your spinal column or backbone. Your spine extends from the base of your skull to your tailbone.

Each vertebra has a hole in the center so the spinal column is hollow, forming a protective tube for your spinal cord and its nerve roots.

Your spine is one of the most important parts of your body, providing you structure, support, and movement, and protecting the communication process between the brain and body that takes place through your spinal cord.

Your vertebrae are separated by disks. These disks are made of strong, gel-filled tissue that helps cushion the spine. Disks act as shock absorbers for your spine, absorbing pressure and preventing the bones from rubbing against each other.

Each vertebra is held to the others by groups of ligaments.

Spine and Neck Resources

Broken Bones and Other Injuries

• Cervical Fracture
• Fracture of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine
• Herniated Disk
• Neck Sprain
• Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

Diseases and Syndromes

• Chordoma
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

Deformity

• Congenital Muscular Torticollis (Wryneck)
• Kyphosis (Roundback) of the Spine
• Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents

Pain Syndromes

• Back Pain in Children
• Cauda Equina Syndrome
• Cervical Radiculopathy
• Cervical Spondylosis
• Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• Sciatica

Treatment and Rehabilitation

• Electrodiagnostic testing

Nonsurgical Treatment

• Low Back Pain Exercise Guide

Surgical Treatments

• Disk Replacement
• Kyphoplasty
• Spinal Fusion

Prevention and Safety

• Backpack Safety
• Preventing Back Pain at Work and at Home
• Preventing Back Pain: Tips for New Moms

Additional Resources

• Additional Resources on the Spine
• Ask an Orthopaedic Surgeon about Spinal Stenosis

Baylor Orthopedic Spine Institute

The Orthopedic Spine Institute of Baylor College of Medicine offers a wide variety of programs for the care and treatment of spinal disorders, both non-operative and surgical. Our physicians are specially trained and experienced in the treatment of traumatic injuries, degenerative disease, deformity and tumors, making the Orthopedic Spine Institute of Baylor College of Medicine one of the premier centers in North America.

As Baylor College of Medicine faculty members, our spine specialists not only provide expert clinical and surgical care, they also serve as researchers and educators for one of the nation's leading medical schools. As a result, they offer firsthand knowledge of the latest advancements in orthopedic surgery, and the ability to translate those advancements into better treatment for your spine injury or disorder.

Our Spine Specialists

Rubin S. Bashir, MD

Orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in spinal disorders

Darrell S. Hanson, MD

Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in scoliosis and other spinal disorders

Michael H. Heggeness, MD, PhD

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal disorders and surgery of the spine

Charles A. Reitman, MD

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery; extensive experience in spine trauma and spinal disorders

Make an
Appointment

Call 713.986.6016 or 800.545.ORTH (6784)

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Locations

Main Location

Baylor Clinic - Map

Other Location

Sugar Land - Map