Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain. Because the back helps stabilize and move the entire body, back pain can be a serious problem.
Early diagnosis ensures effective treatment and pain reduction. Please make an appointment with an OrthoNeuro spine specialist as soon as you experience back pain.
Neck Pain
Most cases of neck pain are caused by a sprain or strain to one of the muscles in the cervical spine and the good news is that most cases of neck pain will subside on their own after rest and temporary activity modification.
What are some of the common causes of spine pain?
Our team of spine specialists uses comprehensive exams and diagnostic imaging to diagnose spine conditions, such as:
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc (also known as a bulging disc or slipped disc) is a common problem that occurs in the lower back or neck. The intervertebral discs lie between the vertebrae (spinal bones) and act as shock absorbers to take the pressure off the spine during weight-bearing activities.
Sciatica
Sciatica is one of the most commonly mentioned spinal conditions and describes pain that originates in the lower back and radiates into the buttocks, the back of the legs and into the feet.
The sciatic nerve is the longest continuous nerve in the body and begins in the lower back and extends into the legs. Sciatica is a term used to describe pain but is not an actual diagnosis and is instead a symptom of an underlying condition that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that causes either an S-shaped or C-shaped curvature of the spine. The condition is commonly seen in adolescents but can also develop progressively as an adult.
In some cases, scoliosis causes no other symptoms other than those that can be seen as physical imbalances, including curvature of the spine, misalignment of hips and shoulders.
Osteoporosis Spine Fractures
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that decreases bone density. Bone loss weakens your bones and increases your risk of fractures throughout your body. Osteoporosis develops gradually, and you could have the disease for years without noticing any symptoms.
In most cases, osteoporosis leads to vertebral compression fractures. The lost bone density makes your vertebrae weak, narrow, and flat.
This causes a rounded or humped back as well as increasing your risk of a compression fracture. Too much pressure on a weakened vertebra can cause it to crack and collapse.
Arthritis In The Spine
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It’s a degenerative condition that develops as the cartilage that lines, lubricates, and protects your joints wears away. Without cartilage, the bones in your joints grind together, leading to irritation, inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis of the spine develops in the facet joints that connect your vertebrae. Your risk increases as you age and if you’re overweight. These joints can also deteriorate following an injury or as the result of torn spinal discs.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is a term used to describe the pain that originates in the neck but radiates into the shoulders, arms, or fingers.
This condition is not a diagnosis but a symptom of an underlying condition that compresses a nerve in the cervical spine. When the nerve is compressed, pain signals travel from the nerve root in the spine into the extremities.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a common term used for several conditions of the spine that occur to the intervertebral discs of the spine with age. As we age, the intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers in the spine lose some of their fluid content and decrease in size and height.
The combination of these factors may cause the discs to dry, weaken or herniate. Osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis may develop as a result of degenerative disc disease.
Facet Joint Syndrome
The facet joints are the two bony attachments at the back of the spine that allow for mobility and flexibility of the spine. Like many joints within the body, the facet joints are susceptible to degenerative changes due to arthritis.
When arthritis affects the facet joints, the joints lose fluid and cartilage. This causes inflammation, thickening of the joints, pain, and bone spur formation. This inflammation can cause pressure on the nerves that exit the spine, which is known as facet joint syndrome.
