Did you know that here on Earth, we may actually shrink over time due to our spines? It’s true: the jelly-like discs in our spine lose their water content over time and as a result, our spines get a little shorter. However, astronaut Scott Kelly actually faced the opposite effect while in space.
Scott Kelly traveled to the International Space Station where he gained the record of the longest stay in space for any American. Clocking in at 340 days, Kelly returned home last week. NASA has been monitoring his health since he arrived back to our home planet, and they noted that Kelly grew an inch and a half after being in space!
Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains that the phenomenon most likely happened because here on Earth, gravity pulls us down and keeps our spine compressed. But in zero gravity, the discs have plenty of room to expand. NASA officials monitoring Kelly say that fluid retention was also a leading cause of spinal expansion.
Even though NeuroMicroSpine is quite a long drive from the infamous Cape Canaveral, Dr. Giovanini is excited to learn about how the spine can change simply by taking away gravity. Kelly may have returned to normal height after returning to Earth, but Dr. Giovanini says that there are more permanent solutions available.
Patients with spinal compression can suffer from a lot of pain from pinched nerves. At NeuroMicroSpine, microdecompressions or discectomies are available to provide more long-term relief from a compressed spinal discs. During the procedure, our skilled spine expert relieves pressure off of the nerve by removing a portion of the disc or bone. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is done on an outpatient basis, which means it won’t take you 340 days to recover – you might be walking just a few hours after the procedure!
Dr. Giovanini reassures patients that when using minimally invasive techniques, there is nothing to be afraid of. He will work with patients to educate them about their condition and how spine surgery can positively impact their life. He is an expert in the fields of both neurosurgery and spine surgery and can answer any questions before the procedure.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.