Spin Disorders Treatments
- Low Back Pain
- Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
- Neck Pain
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Lumbar Disc prolapse (Disc Herniation)
- Spinal Canal Stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoporotic spine fractures
- Fractures of Spine
Low Back Pain
Your back is made up of bones, muscles, nerves, and ligaments that work together to support your body and allow you to stand, bend, and move. Between each vertebra (the bones of your spine) is a disc, which acts like a cushion to absorb shock and help the spine move smoothly.
Nonspecific back pain usually occurs due to a strain in one or more muscles of the lower back. The pain can sometimes be quite severe, but it typically does not involve any serious underlying disease.
Serious causes of back pain are uncommon but can include conditions such as a spinal infection, tumor, or cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency that can cause back pain, leg weakness, and problems with bowel or bladder control.
Degenerative disc disease happens over time as part of normal wear and tear. The spinal discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae, can develop small cracks or tears and may lose fluid, making them less flexible and less able to absorb shock. This can sometimes lead to back pain or stiffness.
Bulging and herniated discs occur when the spinal discs are worn down over time. The outer layer of the disc weakens, causing the disc to protrude or bulge. In some cases, the bulging disc can press on nearby nerves, leading to sciatica, which is pain that radiates down the back of the leg.
Osteoarthritis can affect the small joints in the spine called facet joints, which connect the vertebrae to each other. This condition, known as facet joint arthropathy, can cause bone spurs to form around the joints and may lead to lower back pain.
Treatment: If low back pain is not caused by a serious medical condition, it usually improves fairly quickly. Most people get better with a short period of rest, changes in activity, pain relief medications, muscle relaxants, and physiotherapy exercises. Only a small number of patients with low back pain need surgery.
Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. It controls the muscles in the lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Sciatica is the term for pain, numbness, or tingling that travels along this nerve. In severe cases, it can also cause muscle weakness.
Common causes of sciatica include irritation of the nerve roots from a herniated disc in the lower back, bony overgrowth or narrowing (stenosis) from degenerative spine changes, or compression of the nerve under the piriformis muscle in the buttocks.
Neck Pain
The neck, or cervical spine, is made up of seven vertebrae labeled C1 to C7. Between each vertebra are discs that act as shock absorbers, and the spine is supported by muscles and ligaments.
Causes of neck pain include cervical strain (injury to the neck muscles causing tightness), cervical spondylosis (wear and tear of the neck spine), facet joint osteoarthritis, and whiplash injuries (sudden forward or backward movement of the neck from trauma).
Most neck pain can be treated without surgery using medications, ice or heat, stretching exercises, and posture correction. Surgery may be needed only if there are symptoms of nerve or spinal cord compression, such as in cervical radiculopathy or cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the neck is pinched. This can happen due to a neck injury or age-related wear and tear of the cervical discs. It can cause pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from the neck down the arm and fingers. In many cases, the condition improves over time with rest.
Treatment may include a soft neck collar for short periods, exercises to strengthen neck muscles, and medications. If these treatments do not help, surgery may be considered, and the type of surgery depends on the specific cause of the nerve compression.
Lumbar Disc prolapse (Disc Herniation)
Healthy spinal discs act like shock absorbers for the spine. They protect the spine from the constant pull of gravity and also cushion it during activities that put strong force on the spine, such as jumping, running, or lifting.
A herniated disc happens when the soft center (nucleus) of the disc pushes out of its normal space. This can cause the disc to bulge outward and sometimes the nucleus can break completely through the outer layer (annulus), which may press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
Spinal Canal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the nerves in the spinal canal (the hollow tube formed by the spine bones) are compressed, leading to pain in the buttocks or legs, sometimes with or without back pain.
There are several reasons spinal stenosis can develop, including being born with a narrow spinal canal (congenital stenosis), spinal degeneration, spinal instability, or disc herniation.
Treatment: If your symptoms are mild and not worsening quickly, nonsurgical treatments such as medications, physical therapy, and activity modifications are usually effective. Surgery may be needed if there is progressive nerve damage or significant neurological decline.
Spondylolisthesis
Normally, the vertebrae (spine bones) are stacked neatly on top of each other. In spondylolisthesis, one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. This can irritate nearby tissues and nerves, causing pain.
The most common symptom is an ache in the lower back and buttocks. If the nerves are compressed, it can also cause numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the legs.
Most people with degenerative spondylolisthesis do not need surgery and improve with nonsurgical treatments. These may include medications for pain and muscle spasms, and in cases of a pars fracture, a rigid back brace for 2–3 months. Surgery is considered only if the vertebra slips significantly or if symptoms do not improve with conservative care.
Osteoporotic spine fractures
Osteoporotic spine fractures occur when weakened bones in the spine break due to osteoporosis. These fractures can cause severe back pain, reduced movement, and affect quality of life. They are most common in older adults, especially postmenopausal women, and can happen even from minor injuries.
Treatment includes medications to strengthen bones, pain relief, and physical therapy. In severe cases, procedures such as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be performed to stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
Spine Fractures
Spinal fractures anywhere along the spine mostly result from serious injuries like high-energy trauma. Spinal fracture symptoms may include: Pain in the back or neck, Tingling or numbness in limbs, Weakness or paralysis of limbs, Uncontrolled muscle contractions, Loss of urinary or bowel control. It requires an evaluation on emergency basis. When a spinal fracture is suspected, the first step is to stabilize the individual. This may be done through the use of a backboard, stretcher or cervical collar to prevent the person from moving and sustaining further injuries. Minor fractures of the spine can be managed with rest and medication. Whereas more severe fractures might require surgery to realign the bones. If left untreated, spinal fractures can lead to permanent spinal cord injury, nerve damage and paralysis.