Back and Neck Pain

Back and neck pain is the leading cause of disability and lost work time in the United States and are among of the most common reasons patients seek medical expertise. Four out of five adults will experience some kind of back and/or neck pain episode in their lifetime.

Spine pain may be the result of an injury, caused by a sudden movement, lifting something heavy or just reaching or bending over.

SYMPTOMS 

Symptoms of a back or spinal medical condition are varied and many are not indications of a serious problem. However, if you experience any of the following back or neck pain symptoms, you should seek the advice of a qualified neurosurgeon.

• Severe or shooting pain in your neck or back
• Pain, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
• Pain that wakes you in the night
• Any of the above symptoms in association with difficulty urinating or with bowel movements

A herniated or ruptured disc is a common source of back, neck, or arm or leg pain. Discs are the soft rubbery, shock-absorbing material that separate the vertebrae and allow your back to move and bend. When a disc is damaged, fragments of the disc can push on the spinal cord or nerves, causing back pain, weakness or numbness.

When a physician diagnoses a patient with a spinal disorder, the physicians will provide information about the benefits and risks of the treatment options. If the physician recommends surgery, the patient will receive counseling about the procedure. The patient’s neurosurgeon will perform the surgery, not a resident or fellow.

NON-OPERATIVE SPINE TREATMENTS 

• Medications
• Physical Therapy
• Exercise and Conditioning Programs
• Interventional Pain Management
• Epidural Steroid Injections
• Selective Nerve Root Blocks
• Facet Joint Injections
• Sacroiliac Joint Injections

OPERATIVE SPINE TREATMENTS 

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
• Microdiscectomy
• Laminectomy
• Spinal Fusion
• Reconstructive Spinal Surgery
• Scoliosis Correction
• Kyphoplasty