The Spine
It's not surprising that back pain is second only to headaches as the most common cause of pain or that 8 out of 10 people will have a problem with back pain at some time. The causes of back pain can be simple or complex. While the causes of spinal problems have not changed much over the years, the methods for diagnosing and treating the conditions are constantly evolving.
What are the causes of spine problems?
Causes include herniated discs; conditions such as spondylolisthesis, stenosis, osteoporosis, adolescent scoliosis, spinal infection, and spinal tumor; and trauma such as sports injury, and whiplash.
What are the symptoms of spine conditions?
A serious condition may be present if any one of these signs exists:
- Pain persists, is severe, and radiates to your torso or limbs
- Arm or leg pain increases with bending
- The severe pain started after a fall
- Pain becomes worse with rest
- The pain is accompanied by a fever
- There are bowel or bladder problems
- There is numbness or weakness in your legs
Diagnosing Spine Conditions
To make the most accurate diagnosis, we use a complete spectrum of resources including advanced diagnostic equipment like high-speed MRIs, CT scans, bone density scans, myelograms, electromyography (EMG) and discography.
Treating Spine Conditions
Most case of back and neck pain can be treated with non-surgical interventions, but cases that are more serious may require surgery. Spinal treatments are chosen with an eye toward reducing the hospital stay and recovery time, minimizing pain and lowering costs.
Your initial evaluation will include:
- Obtaining a detailed medical history;
- Reviewing previous records, MRIs, and X-rays; and
- Performing a multi-disciplinary physical exam.
Following the evaluation, your orthopedic specialist will discuss treatment options with you so that you can make a decision together.
Conditions we treat include: degenerative disc disease; spinal fractures and trauma; herniated cervical, thoracic, and lumbar discs; spondylolisthesis; spinal stenosis; instability; osteoarthritis; failed back and neck surgery; bone cancer and related tumors; and spinal deformities that include:
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Congenital disorders
- Neuromuscular dysfunction
Treatment options include individualized spine rehabilitation programs; instruction; exercise physiology; aquatic therapy; posture correction; functional capacity evaluations; spinal manipulation; epidural steroid injections; trigger point injections; nerve root blocks; and facet joint injections.
In addition, we embrace non-traditional treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, meditation/relaxation, and Qui-Gong. Our goal is to return you to good health without pain.
We recommend surgery only after all non-surgical options have been exhausted. Surgical interventions are individualized to your condition and situation and are available for cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine pain and associated conditions.
Our certified and spine-fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon is qualified to perform a full spectrum of spinal procedures, using advanced surgical techniques, such as laser spine surgery, that have been developed to reduce surgical trauma and pain - shortening recovery time.