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Study comparing the spines of Neanderthals and modern humans

A new study from researchers at New York University looking at how the shape of the human lumbar spine has evolved over time, has suggested that modern day humans spines are more similar to Neanderthal spines than previously thought. The side on view of the human spine is not straight, it has four natural [...]

2024-01-13T19:08:12+00:00 January 13th, 2024|

XXIX Brussels International Spine Symposium

An excellent meeting with a lot of international speakers talking about topics ranging from the normal degenerative changes expected in the spine to issues that predominantly affect patients as they get older. Age-related degenerative changes in the spine are expected but can look quite worrying on MRI scans - it is important that patients understand these changes [...]

2024-01-01T16:14:56+00:00 January 1st, 2024|

New Interactive Cauda Equina Syndrome Pathway

In October, NHS England launched a new, interactive web-based Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) pathway designed for use by clinicians, nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) at every stage of the CES patient pathway. Its function is to guide users through the important decisions they should work through in order that CES patients are diagnosed and treated [...]

2024-01-01T15:58:07+00:00 January 1st, 2024|

Cape Town International Spine Symposium

I was invited to present two talks in Cape Town at the South African Spine Society’s 2023 meeting.  I last talked at the SASS meeting in 2020 however due to Covid this was virtually so it was really good to actually attend in person and meet colleagues for lots of talks, discussions and debates about [...]

2024-01-01T15:59:24+00:00 May 1st, 2023|

The 12 big benefits of walking

Following on from the report in the European Heart Journal last week about how a little as 15-20 minutes of walking is linked to living longer, another article by a panel of experts discussing the 12 major benefits of walking to your health has been published. Although walking is a simple exercise that most [...]

2022-11-05T19:18:07+00:00 November 5th, 2022|

Report: ‘15 – 20 minutes of exercise a week is linked to a longer life’

A study published in the European Heart Journal this week looked at how much exercise a week was needed to reduce the dying. Researchers looked at 72.00 people in the UK who all wore activity trackers on their wrists. The results were as follows: No vigorous exercise during an average week - 4% chance [...]

2022-10-30T13:05:03+00:00 October 30th, 2022|

Brain games speed up post-operative recovery

It is well appreciated that ‘prehabilitation’ before surgery, especially before major surgeries, is very important. Prehabilitation includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, stopping smoking before an operation to optimise the surgery and improve the recovery/rehabilitation times. However this does not address the post-operative delirium or altered cognitive states which include confusion, loss of memory, [...]

2020-11-23T22:36:34+00:00 November 23rd, 2020|

Covid-19 and Ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs)

Many people are still concerned about taking Ibuprofen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after news reports linking them to a possible increased risk of Covid-19 infection. NSAIDs are a family of medicines that are not only used as pain killers but also for lowering high temperatures and fevers. In March the media reported a potential link [...]

2020-05-10T23:50:51+00:00 May 10th, 2020|

Coronavirus – Telephone and Video Appointments

In just few short days all our lives have changed, not just in the UK but across the world. We have entered totally uncharted territory and need to adjust our lives accordingly. Social isolation is absolutely paramount to stop or slow the spread and therefore, in accordance with government guidelines, all NHS outpatient appointments, will [...]

2020-04-09T09:40:28+00:00 March 22nd, 2020|