Careers
Patient Portal
Pay My Bill
Make a Gift
LCMC Health
Physicians & Staff

504.347.5511

About
Find a Provider
Locations
Our Services
Patients & Visitors
Contact Us
Foundation

504.347.5511

Call Us
Locations
Physicians

Skip to main content

Health Library Conditions & Treatments Tests and Procedures

Tests & Procedures

Translate
- Spanish Content

Spanish Content

Health Library Explorer

Search Library: Go

Browse A-Z Listings: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

Conditions & Treatments
Health Centers
Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
Nutrition & General Wellness
Your Family
News Center
Healthy Living
Tools & Multimedia

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Click a letter to see a list of medical procedures beginning with that letter.

Click 'Back to Intro' to return to the beginning of this section.

Take the Spine Health Quiz

Back pain is one of the most common nerve-related illnesses in the U.S. Keeping your spine in good health is one way to avoid back pain. Learn more about your spine and back pain by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

1. How many healthcare provider visits each year are because of back problems?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Eight in 10 people will have back pain sometime in their life.

A. 5 millionB. 12 millionC. 20 millionD. 22 million

2. The spinal cord is an extension of what?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system (the brain is the other part). The spine or spinal column is made up of bones called vertebrae. They are separated and cushioned by disks of cartilage. The vertebrae also are covered by cartilage. And they are held in place by ligaments and muscles, which keep the spine stable. The spinal cord runs within the spine. Spinal nerves branch off from the cord and emerge through the spaces between the vertebrae. These nerves connect with nerves all over the body. The spinal cord is also protected by the meninges. This is a 3-layer membrane that also encases the brain. Spinal fluid flows around the spinal cord inside the meninges.

A. The pelvisB. The legsC. The brainD. The arms

3. One of the most common back injuries is a slipped (herniated) disk. What does this mean?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Disks are made of tough, elastic tissue. They are found between each of the vertebrae of the spine. The elastic tissue acts as a shock absorber for the vertebrae.

A. A spinal disk has moved down the spineB. A spinal disk has twistedC. Disk material has bulged into the spinal canalD. None of the above

4. What causes a slipped disk?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The most common cause of a slipped disk is aging. The elastic tissue of the disk breaks down and weakens with age. The ligaments holding the disk in place also weaken as you grow older. Some people are more prone to having a slipped disk, so a sudden twisting or sudden strain on the back may result in one.

A. A strain on the backB. AgeC. Sudden twisting movementD. All of the above

5. A sprain or strain of the ligaments and muscles in the back is one of the most common causes of back pain. How can a sprain or strain occur?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Back strains and sprains that occur when exercising may be caused by weightlifting, turning quickly when dribbling a basketball, or swinging a bat or golf club. Back injuries occur more often when a person isn't in good physical shape and their back muscles are weak. Other causes of back sprain or strain include poor posture, obesity, and severe tiredness (fatigue).

A. Lifting a heavy objectB. Incorrect form in exercisingC. In a fall or vehicular accidentD. All of the above

6. Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal. This is linked to aging, as the disks become drier and start to shrink. Where does pain from spinal stenosis usually occur?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Spinal stenosis also can cause sciatic pain, running from the lower back down the back of 1 leg. An older person with degenerative osteoarthritis often has spinal stenosis. It also can be caused by infection or birth defects.

A. Upper backB. LegsC. Lower backD. B and C

7. What happens when osteoarthritis occurs in the spine?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

When osteoarthritis occurs in the spine, the cartilage deteriorates and the space between the vertebrae decreases. The spinal nerves can become pinched, causing pain. As the condition gets worse, the person may feel numbness, weakness in the back, muscle spasms, and stiffness.

A. It damages the cartilageB. It damages the joints in the spineC. A and BD. None of the above

8. What can be done to prevent back pain?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Also important, according to the NINDS:

Don't slouch while sitting or standing
Don't stand or work in any 1 position for a long time
Don't smoke
Sleep on your side with your knees drawn up
Try to reduce stress in your life that causes muscle tension

A. Maintain a healthy weightB. Exercise regularlyC. Lift objects while bending at the knees, not the waistD. All of the above

9. Spondylolysis can cause back pain in young athletes. What is it?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Spondylolysis is a unilateral or bilateral defect in the vertebra that either be a sudden (acute) fracture or a long-term (chronic) bone disruption with sclerotic borders. It's a common condition in young athletes. It often occurs as low back pain due to a certain activity.

A. A virus that attacks the back musclesB. A stress fracture in a vertebraC. Curvature of the spineD. None of the above

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Campellone, Joseph, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN, RN

Date Last Reviewed: 1/1/2023

© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Contact Our Health Professionals

Find A Doctor Pay My Bill Events

Follow Us

Related Services

Physicians

Anesthesiology - Pain Medicine
Spinal Surgery

Related Items

Patient Education

After Back Surgery: Going Home

After Back Surgery: More Tips for Daily Living
View All 81

Diseases and Conditions

Back and Neck Pain

Back Pain in Pregnancy
View All 13

Tests and Procedures

Cervical Disk Replacement Surgery

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Spine
View All 7

Articles

A Rotation That Starts at the Waist

A Safer Way to Get Out of Bed
View All 19

Interactive Tools

Back Care Quiz

Back Pain Quiz
View All 3

Videos

How to Get Out of Bed with Back Pain

Keeping Your Back Healthy
View All 3

The health content and information on this site is made possible through the generous support of the Haspel Education Fund.

Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

StayWell Disclaimer

504.347.5511

1101 Medical Center Boulevard
Marrero, LA 70072
Get Directions Site Map

Copyright © Disclaimer

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn

Patient Portal
Pay My Bill
Primary Care
Find a Provider
Fitness & Wellness Centers
Careers
Services
Patients & Visitors
Living Well Blog
Foundation
Contact Us
WJNet
Notice of Privacy Practices

x

⚠

Your browser is out of date. To get the full experience of this website, please update to most recent version.

Update My Browser

If you are unable to access this site, please contact us at 504.347.5511 or complete this form.