The orthopaedic physicians at Golden State Bone and Joint Clinic are specialists in treating spine pain conditions, and offer an extensive mix of conservative, advanced orthobiologic, and surgical treatment options.
Jump to: Low Back Pain | Spinal Stenosis | Ruptured Disc | Compression Fractures | Radiculopathy | Spinal Instability | Scoliosis | Sciatica
Low back spine pain is one of the most common reasons to see a doctor. It can be caused by many things including muscle strains, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation, and arthritis. A thorough evaluation including a physical exam and imaging, X-rays and or an MRI, can help diagnose the cause of the pain and help direct treatment recommendations. First line of treatment is typically conservative and involves medication, activity modification, physical therapy, and injections.
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can place pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It is most often degenerative and related to age. This can result in pain, numbness, weakness and other symptoms. Spinal stenosis is best diagnosed on MRI. There are many treatment options for spinal stenosis, including medications, injections, physical therapy, braces, and as a last resort, surgery.
Discs are soft, jelly-like “cushions” that lie between each of the vertebrae that make up the spine. When healthy, they contain about 80% water. However, they can dry out or degenerate with age, or as a result of an injury, and become less flexible and cause increased friction between the bones. A ruptured or “herniated” disc is a very common cause of low back pain. It can occur with an acute trauma or with aging and it causes low back pain and often pain radiating down a leg. In addition there can be weakness and numbness in the neck, back and extremities. Diagnosis is made clinically and confirmed with an MRI. Initial treatment options include rest, medication (including muscle relaxants, steroids, and pain relievers), and physical therapy. Surgery may be indicated with failure of nonoperative treatment, severe pain, and loss of motor function. The surgical procedure is called discectomy, which removes part of the disc to relieve pressure on the nerves and the associated pain.
A compression fracture (also called a vertebral compression fracture) may be caused by spine trauma or as a result of osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become weak and susceptible to breaking. Diagnosis is made on X-ray. Treatments include pain management with medication, back braces, physical therapy and spinal implants.
Commonly referred to as a “pinched nerve,” this condition is the result of a nerve root in the spine becoming compressed or irritated. It can cause pain in the legs, upper extremities or the thorax, the bones in your chest between the neck and the abdomen. Non-surgical treatments include pain medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, weight loss and posture adjustments. If these methods are not successful at relieving spine pain, or if you are losing nerve function, surgery to widen the space where the nerve exits the spine to relieve pressure may be recommended.
Degeneration of the vertebrae can lead to instability or abnormal movement between the vertebrae. It can result from an injury, congenital defects, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis, a condition where one of the vertebra slips forward over another. It can be painful, and in some cases, can lead to paralysis or permanent muscle weakness. Conservative treatments include spine pain medication, steroid injections and physical therapy. For more severe cases, spinal fusion surgery may be performed to strengthen the spine.
Scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. It can occur in persons of all ages. Treatment depends on a person’s age and the severity of the curvature.
Sciatica is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve; it can result in pain (especially when moving, sneezing or coughing), weakness, numbness and tingling radiating from the lower back down to a leg. It’s most common cause is a herniated disc, but it can also result from spinal stenosis, injury, degenerative disc disease, pregnancy, spondylolisthesis or muscle spasms. If rest, heat or ice and spine pain medication have not resolved your sciatica, physical therapy and/or lifestyle changes may be required. In rare cases, surgery may be required to treat the underlying cause, such as a herniated disc or stenosis.