Information About Common Spine Disorders: Stephen A. Torrey, M.D., FACS... Waterbury, CT

WELCOME! This informative website will provide explanations and answers to frequently encountered questions about spine problems. Based on training and experience from a neurosurgical specialty practice managing spinal conditions, these are the descriptions most commonly needed by patients to gain better understanding. Non-specialists and non-medical personnel might also find this useful. Medical terms are defined and explanations are given in layman's terms with detail intended to be sufficient for most interested people. Visitors will have the opportunity to submit additional questions via e-mail which will inspire future information, if appropriate, on this website.
Do not attempt to diagnose a medical condition using this website! No recommendations concerning medical evaluation or care for any particular person are implied here. The given information cannot be sufficient for patients to make informed decisions about their medical care. Such decisions always require personal encounters with a doctor, history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic testing. Thank-you.
The spine is comprised of individual segments of bone with complex shape called vertebrae some of which have ribs attached. The parts of the vertebrae called the "bodies" stack on top of each other creating a column which forms the front surface of the spine. Between the vertebrae are pads of cartilage called intervertebral discs. Behind the main column, running the entire length of the spine is a tunnel for the spinal cord and nerves surrounded by bone structure which has gaps from one segment to the next. Each segment of this structure attaches to a single vertebral body. Each segment has a portion called the lamina which forms most of the back wall of this spinal canal and there is a ligament filling the gaps between the laminae from one segment to the next. Also, there are joints called facets formed by the contact of special surfaces on the upper and lower faces of each segment and on both sides of the canal. A single facet joint is made of the upper surface from one segment and the lower surface of another segment. Some sliding movement between the surfaces at each joint is expected to permit a limited degree of spinal mobility. The intervertebral discs are just supposed to flex or twist a little during movements.


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