Treated Conditions

Disc Herniations are a condition in which one or more of the discs that lie between two spinal vertebrae has become damaged. The disc being damaged results in a loss of fluid which limits the capability of the disc to act as a cushion and absorb shock as it is intended to do. It can occur suddenly if the patient has suffered an injury, or gradually over time as part of the degenerative process. A bulging or damaged disc can often put immense pressure on the nerve roots of the spine causing pain or numbness in the neck, lower back upper or lower extremities or the hips.

Cervical Disc Herniation symptoms would include: 

• Neck pain
• Weakness in the upper arm or shoulder area
• Numbness and/tingling sensation in fingers/wrist
• Having trouble gripping with hand
• Difficulty rotating neck
• The type of pain varies from dull to sharp

Lumbar Disc Herniation symptoms would include:

• Lower back pain
• Sciatica (pain that radiates through the leg)
• Numbness or pain in the foot
• Numbness or pain in ankle
• Unable to stretch or extend toes
• Unable to push off with foot

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 an “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:

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

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

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.

Spondylosis is a medical term used to refer to the general degeneration of the spine and its shock-absorbing intervertebral discs. Degenerative changes may occur in the neck (known as the cervical region), middle back (thoracic region) or lower back (lumbar region) and tend to worsen with as an individual grows older. The United States currently sees more than 3 million cases of spondylosis per year, most of which usually appear in conjunction with other spinal issues. Spondylosis is a chronic condition that oftentimes lasts years or throughout a patient’s lifetime, but many people don’t have symptoms until the degeneration of the spinal column causes a secondary complication. While spondylosis can’t be cured, there are many advanced treatment options available to address the changes associated with this issue.

Since spondylosis is a blanket term for spinal and disc degeneration, a variety of symptoms may arise depending on the location, severity, and nature of the underlying problem. General symptoms to take note of include:

• Lower back, middle back or neck pain
• Herniated disc
• Pinched Nerve
• Sciatic
• Numbness and weakness in the affected area and associated limb
• Tingling and pins-and-needles sensations in the affected area and associated limb
• A headache
• A limited range of motion, stiffness in spinal joints and the feeling that bones are “grinding” against one another
• Trouble maintaining balance and the inability to perform in everyday activities without encountering pain or discomfort.

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 closes 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

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.

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

Causes:

• Spinal Fracture
• Spondylitis
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Spinal Tumor or Infection