Cervical Stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spine, specifically in the neck, narrow and put pressure on the nerves. It is possible to have cervical stenosis without being aware of the condition because it doesn’t always produce symptoms. When the symptoms do appear, they typically come on gradually and worsen until a patient seeks medical care. Common symptoms include pain in the neck; numbness, tingling or weakness in the foot, leg, hand or arm; and difficulty walking or with balance.

There are a variety of conservative treatments for cervical stenosis that a physician may try before suggesting surgery, including medications, physical therapy and steroid injections. When it comes to surgery on the neck portion of the spine, several procedures can relieve the nerve pressure by opening up the lamina, or back of the vertebra. In most cases, these operations successfully reduce symptoms.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease, also known as arthritis of the spine, is a condition in which the spine joints wear out with age. Unfortunately, no exact reason has been determined why the discs, or cartilage, between the bones of the spine suffer from wear and tear, but it likely is a combination of factors. However, most patients do not even realize that they have arthritis of the spine until the symptoms become severe. Typically, pain from cervical degenerative disc disease is experienced in the neck and shoulders, and sometimes down the arm to the hand. With spinal degenerative disc disease, pain usually is in the low back and possibly buttocks. When the deterioration of the spine joint affects the nerves, it typically causes numbness and tingling in the extremities.

Usually arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine is mild and does not require emergency care. Surgery should be considered if the pain and other symptoms from degenerative disc disease interfere with a patient’s daily life and conservative treatments, such as ice or heat applications and medications, are not working. Surgery for acute disc disease, however, is rare.

Herniated Disc

Herniated discs -- also known as ruptured or slipped discs -- are a common cause of back pain. Discs are the soft pads located between the bones, or vertebrae, of the spine in the back and neck. When the disc bulges out of its position and presses on a spinal nerve, it usually results in pain for the patient.

Most pain from herniated discs can be treated with conservative measures, such as rest, over-the-counter medications, ice/heat and physical therapy. Sometimes a steroid injection is used to decrease the nerve irritation so the patient can complete physical therapy. If these treatments do not help, surgery to relieve the pain and symptoms of a herniated disc may be recommended. At the NeuroSpine Center of Excellence at Orlando Health – Health Central, this surgery is done through a small incision and often as an out-patient procedure.

Lumbar Disc Syndrome

Lumbar discs are spongy, liquid-filled cushions that are located between the bones, or vertebrae, of the lower back. As a person ages, the lumbar discs can lose fluid and become compressed naturally. These changes cause the disc to break down and bulge out of place, becoming herniated and pressing on nerves, which is painful. This change in the structure of a lumbar disc is called lumbar disc syndrome.

Lumbar disc syndrome is most often caused by the normal process of human aging, but it also can occur after an injury. This condition generally disrupts a patient’s life because the pain in the lower back, and sometimes legs, interferes with a person’s daily activities. The treatment options for lumbar disc syndrome are the same as those for herniated discs. Although there is no way to prevent lumbar disc disease for certain, a patient can reduce his risk by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.

Lumbar Stenosis

Lumbar stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spine, specifically in the lower back, narrow and put pressure on the nerves. Patients may be symptom-free and discover the condition through an MRI or CT. When the symptoms do appear, they typically come on gradually and worsen until a patient seeks medical care. Common symptoms include back pain and numbness, tingling or weakness in the foot or leg.. At times, a patient may experience pain or cramping in the legs when standing for a long time or with walking.

There are a variety of conservative treatments for lumbar stenosis that a physician may try before suggesting surgery, including medications, physical therapy, steroid injections and a decompression procedure. When it comes to surgery on the lower back, several procedures can relieve the nerve pressure by opening up the lamina, or back of the vertebra. In most cases, these operations are successful in reducing symptoms.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the term that encompasses both cervical and lumbar stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spaces within the different areas of the spine. Usually something happens to cause spinal stenosis. That could include an overgrowth of bone (bone spurs), herniated discs, thickened ligaments, tumors and spinal injuries. Patients typically become aware of spinal stenosis when it reaches the stage that the nerves are affected, causing pain.

Patients most at-risk for spinal stenosis are those who:

• Are older than 50 years
• Have suffered a trauma
• Have a congenital spinal deformity such as scoliosis
• Have a genetic disease that targets bone and muscle development

Spine Injuries

CSpine injuries are caused by traumas, such as traffic accidents, falls or sports, that force the movement of vertebrae. When this happens, the displaced bones can damage the spinal cord and canal. Injuries can range from mild muscle strains, such as whiplash, to serious conditions in which the shattered bone severs the spinal cord and causes paralysis.

Spine injuries typically are fractures, dislocations or both. A vertebral body compression fracture, which is a wedge-shaped collapse of the vertebra, is the most common type of spine fracture. A dislocation occurs when the ligaments or discs between vertebrae are torn, and the bones move out of alignment. Spine injuries require stabilization from a brace or even surgery. Symptoms can include back or neck pain, numbness, tingling, muscle spasm, weakness and bowel or bladder changes.