Spine

What conditions can cause spine pain?

A number of medical conditions can result in persistent pain in your next, back, and along the spinal column, radiating into your arms or legs.

Common conditions that affect the spine include:

You may also suffer from other conditions that cause inflammation. This inflammation can pinch your spinal nerves and cause you chronic pain and difficulty moving around or standing for long periods of time.

What treatment options are available for spine pain?

Depending on the nature of your injury or medical condition, your Orthopaedic Associates physician can determine the best course of treatment to address the root of your pain. During your consultation, your physician reviews your medical history, your symptoms, and your treatment goals.

Treatment options available for spine pain and loss of mobility include:

• PRP injections
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

You may also benefit from medications to relax the muscles surrounding the nerves to reduce pain.

When these treatments aren’t enough to improve your mobility or lessen your pain, your physician may recommend surgery.

Which types of surgery can address spine pain?

The experienced surgical team at Orthopaedic Associates offers several types of surgery to repair damage in and around the spine.

If you have a pinched nerve resulting from disc herniation or degeneration, or other spinal damage, your surgeon may recommend lumbar decompression surgery. This procedure allows the surgeon to remove small pieces of bone or disc material that compromise your nerves and cause pain.

For conditions that cause instability in your spine, you may benefit from a procedure known as a spinal fusion. This surgery basically fuses several of your vertebrae together, creating one solid bone. By fusing these bones, you can improve spinal stability and prevent movement that results in persistent pain.

Fusion surgery of the spine may be ideal for conditions like:

• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated discs
• Vertebrae fractures

While surgery for spinal conditions is often the last resort for treatment, your physician may suggest surgery, even at a young age, if they feel it’ll improve your long-term outlook.

Find out if spine surgery is your best option for relief from chronic pain by calling the Albany office or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation today.