A spinal fracture is considered one of the worse injuries one can suffer and is often referred to as a “broken back”. The most common incidence of spinal fractures result from accidents or sudden traumatic injuries. Elderly patients are also more likely to experience this condition as a result of osteoarthritis of the spine.

Symptoms may include:

• Unable to move without pain
• Inability to move the upper or lower extremities
• Weakness and/or tingling sensation
• Numbness
• Loss of consciousness

Sciatica, often referred to as a “pinched nerve”, typically refers to symptoms of leg pain, stiffness, and numbness, originating in the lower back. Usually, the root of the problem is a ruptured or degenerative disc in the lumbar spine. This disc causes pressure on the sciatic nerve which results in leg pain. It should be known that Sciatica is not an acceptable diagnosis for a patient, it is just a tell-tale sign of a different condition, such as a herniated disc or Degenerative Disc Disease.

Sciatica Symptoms can include:

• Persistent pain in the leg
• Pain radiating through the lumbar spine, buttocks, hips, and legs
• Jarring pain while seated
• Difficulty standing and/or walking
• Numbness thigh area

Scoliosis is classified as an unnatural curvature of the spine. With scoliosis, the spine can round off to one side and curve back towards the middle of the back near the lower back (often resembling a “s” shape. This condition is often discovered once a child hits their “growth spurt” during their adolescent years. Scoliosis may or may not require surgery and is typically surgically corrected if the curvature continues to progress or if the condition causes persistent pain, neurologic deficits or respiratory conditions. Those with this condition should be monitored by a physician to determine if the condition is progressing. An adult patient with a curve in the spine that is under 40 degrees should be able to avoid surgery.

Physical Signs of Scoliosis May Include:

• Visible curvature of the spine
• Shoulders at different height
• Head leaning toward one side
• One shoulder blade protruding further than the other
• Ribs higher than normal

Spinal Stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal and the subsequent pain caused by the canal exerting pressure on the nerve roots of the spine.

There are two types of Spinal Stenosis that can occur:

• Cervical Stenosis takes place in the neck area. Cervical Stenosis is the more serious diagnosis, because of the possible consequences of the compression of the spinal cord. This compression can cause the space between the vertebras to shrink and has the potential to result in weakness of the body and over time cause paralysis.
• Lumbar Stenosis takes place in the lower back area. Lumbar Stenosis is the more common diagnosis and occurs when the spinal nerves in the lower back are compressed and unable to send clear signals to the lower extremities. This can result in pain and numbness in the leg area, otherwise known as Sciatica.

Degenerative Disc Disease is not a specific condition but rather a term used to describe the degenerative process the spinal discs may undergo as a result of injury or the aging process. Degenerative Disc Disease occurs when the intervertebral disc loses the fluid within the disc that allows for flexibility of the disc. It is possible for Degenerative Disc Disease to impact any part of the spine but it would be most commonly found in the neck or lower back area.

The conditions that encompass Degenerative Disc Disease include:

• Herniated cervical or lumbar discs
• Spondylosis
• Spinal Stenosis

Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms can include:

• Pain in neck, thighs or lower back area
• Feeling the need to switch positions constantly
• Pain coming “in and out” for different lengths of time
• Pain while: bending down, sitting down and/or twisting body
• Anxious to lie down to subside the pain
• A tingling sensation in all extremities

Spondylitis is a condition in which the joints in the spine become inflamed. In some cases, this will lead to two or more vertebrae in the spine to begin to fuse together. The process of the bone growth is called Ankylosis and can occur anywhere along the spinal cord, but is most common in the lower back and pelvic area. This bone growth causes pressure on the nerve roots of the spine and can result in pain and numbness in the extremities. There are many different forms of this condition, but the symptoms are very similar.

Spondylitis symptoms would include:

• Dull pain in the back
• Sharp Pains “in and out”
• Back stiffness
• Trouble walking/bending over
• Tingling Sensation

Spondylolisthesis describes a spinal defect that causes a vertebra to protrude forward or backward from the disc above or below. When this occurs the vertebrae exerts pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve root causing pain and discomfort. It is most common in the lumbar spine. This condition often results from repetitive concussive vertical force on the spine and is common among athletes, specifically gymnasts.

Spondylolistheis symptoms would include:

• Lower back pain
• Tight and sore hamstrings
• Back spasms
• Walking with a gait or waddle
• Pain or numbness in foot Causes:
• Repetitive force or injury to the spine
• Sudden trauma or impact
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Spinal Fracture
• Genetic Predisposition

Kyphosis refers to an abnormal rounding, or “hump”, of the upper back. Kyphosis is most often noticeable during adolescence and can progress over time causing pain, neurologic deficits and respiratory conditions. Kyphosis can also occur as a result of spinal fractures or osteoarthritis of the spine.

Kyphosis symptoms would include:

• Visible rounding of the back
• Pain or numbness
• Muscle fatigue or stiffness in the back
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Chest pain or shortness of breath

Facet Joint Disease is a term used to describe a variety of conditions that affect the joints of the spine that provide flexibility and stability, known as facet joints. Many of these associated conditions stem from arthritis of the facet joints. The conditions can affect both the cervical and lumbar spine. However, 55% of facet-related conditions occur in the cervical spine.

Facet Syndrome: This condition occurs when the facet joints of the spine become inflamed and begin to exert pressure on the nerve roots of the spine. This pressure causes both localized and radiating pain.

Facet Cysts: Also known as Synovial Cysts, this condition arises when the fluid filled sacs of the spine create pressure on the spinal nerves. This is most likely the result of poor circulation around the spinal nerves which causes an inability for the blood around the nerves to properly drain. This lack of drainage causes irritation and inflammation of the nerve.

Facet Arthritis: Similar to most arthritic conditions, the cartilage of the facet joints becomes thickened and hardened which can lead to swelling and tenderness. This condition is often worse in the morning and persists throughout the day.

Facet Hypertrophy: This condition most often arises as a result of an injury or as part of the body’s natural response to joint degeneration. Over time, in an attempt for the body to heal the degeneration, new cartilage will form causing the joint to become enlarged.