The spine supports and protects the spinal cord and nerves. Some various disorders and deformities can damage the vertebrae causing pain and loss of mobility. Contacting a specialist at the sign of spinal symptoms prevents the spinal pain nightmare and prevents future damage. Dr. Patrick S. McNulty, an orthopedic at McNulty Spine, is experienced in treating and reconstructing spinal deformities and disorders in adults and children.
Outlined below is all you need to know about spinal conditions in order to seek early medical attention.
Types of spinal conditions
The types are classified according to diseases and deformities, which are as follows;
Deformities – occur when the spine curves unnaturally. They include; kyphosis, which appears when the upper back curves forward. Lordosis occurs when it curves inward, and scoliosis occurs when the spine curves either to the right or left.
Disorders – Illnesses like osteoporosis, spinal cord cancer, myelopathy, spondylitis, spinal stenosis, arthritis, and herniated disc.
Causes of spinal ailments
Various unknown and known causes trigger spinal conditions. These areas follow;
- Excess weight due to obesity
- Inflammation
- Infections
- Lifting heavy weights improperly
- Nutrition issues such as low calcium
- Lifestyle habits such as smoking and a sedentary lifestyle
- Poor sitting and standing posture
- Inherited disorders
- Aging causes degenerative wear and tear
- Minor and traumatic injuries from falls and accidents
Symptoms
The signs depend on the specific spinal condition, and they often affect other parts of the body depending on the location of the condition in the Spine. Common symptoms are;
- Stabbing, aching, dull, or burning pain in the back or neck
- Bowel dysfunction
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Tingling and numbness in the arms and legs
- Shoulders and backs abnormally rounded
- Loss of balance and walking difficulties
Prevention
The doctor may recommend physical therapy and specific practices to prevent back pain from strain and sprains. These practices include;
- Muscle-strengthening exercises to provide more spine stability
- Correct lifting and moving technique to prevent falls
- Avoid stress to avoid muscles tension
- Maintain a healthy weight to prevent pressure on the lower back
- Avoid smoking to prevent arteriosclerosis and degenerative herniated disc disease
Diagnosis and treatment
The doctor conducts a physical exam, discusses personal and family medical history, discusses symptoms and risk factors, and conducts a neurological exam using MRI, CT scan, X-ray, electromyography, and biopsy if a spinal nerve injury or disorder is detected.
The spine specialist uses one or more treatment options depending on the condition. The options include;
- Heat and ice therapy for injuries
- Corticosteroids and nerve block injections for pain
- Cancer treatment to remove tumors
- Back bracing
- Medication such as; anti-inflammatory, painkillers, and muscle relaxer
- Physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the abdominal and back muscle
The following surgeries can be performed if the spine is severely damaged;
- Disc arthroplasty—surgical replacement of cervical or lumbar disc to maintain spinal stability
- Laminectomy- removal of bony arch or lamina for vertebra decompression
- Laminotomy—removal of the bone spur to relieve pressure on neural elements
- Spinal fusion—involves malalignment
Talk to an orthopedic today
Spinal conditions can be life-threatening if not well treated. By contacting doctor McNulty of the neurosurgical institute in Las Vegas, you will be one step ahead of solving your spinal condition and getting comprehensive treatment. Let your unnaturally curved spine be reconstructed and get the spinal injections to relieve that pain once and for all.
