It goes without saying that the human spine is a complex structure. Its design includes multiple bones, discs, and nerves, making it more susceptible to injury from athletic activity, strain from everyday activities, or simple aging. Unfortunately, these problems may necessitate surgical intervention. In severe cases, they get worse over time until minimally invasive spine surgery may not be enough to fix them.
If you’re a physically active person who often has back pain or stiffness, maybe to the point where it keeps you from doing the things you want to do, you may need spine surgery sooner rather than later. Here are a few spinal cord conditions to look out for to see if surgical treatment is right for you:
Back and Leg Pain
If you are experiencing chronic back and leg pain, you should seek treatment at a spine hospital. The most common symptom of spinal stenosis is back pain. A herniated disc, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or even lumbar spine herniation can all cause it. All of these are severe conditions that necessitate treatment by experienced spine surgeons who understand how to treat these spine conditions.
However, back pain is frequently treated with spinal surgery when other treatments have failed or when symptoms such as leg pain or weakness in the legs or arms make daily activities difficult to perform alone at home. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or if your doctor has suggested surgery, it’s critical to understand what steps must be taken before going under anesthesia to ensure a smooth recovery.
Sciatica or a Pinched Nerve
Sciatica is characterized by pain that radiates down your leg. This is most commonly caused by a pinched nerve in your cervical spine. Sciatica occurs when a herniated disc (also known as a bulge) presses on a nerve root, causing inflammation and pain in the lower back, buttocks, or down one or both legs.
Other causes of sciatica include:
Spinal stenosis—narrowing of the spinal canal opening where nerves pass through to exit the spine; this condition can cause pressure on nearby nerves as they exit from between vertebrae
Tumor—cancerous growths that can press on nearby nerves as they exit from between vertebrae
Neck Pain
Several factors can contribute to neck pain. Injury, pinched nerves, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or even a herniated disc could all be to blame. If you have any type of pain in your neck that is preventing you from sleeping or from doing normal activities like work and exercise, it is time to see your doctor.
Spinal Stenosis (Narrowing of the Spinal Canal)
When your spine becomes compressed due to a problem, you may experience pain that radiates down into your legs. This is known as “spinal stenosis,” and if left untreated, it can cause significant discomfort. Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) is a condition in which the spine narrows. This can be caused by old age, arthritis, or other factors. The narrowing compresses and occasionally damages nerves in your spine.
The symptoms of spinal stenosis include:
Pain in your neck or lower back that becomes worse with activity
Weakness or numbness in one or both legs
Urinary problems, such as trouble starting your urine stream or passing small amounts at a time
If detected early, this condition can often be treated with minimally invasive surgery. However, if it progresses and begins to affect other parts of the body, such as the arms or hands, it may be time for more invasive surgical procedures other than decompression surgery. This will be required to relieve pressure on these nerves and allow them to carry signals properly once more (such as fusion surgery).
Muscle Weakness
Many spinal conditions, including herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, and others, cause muscle weakness. If you have muscle weakness in your arms or legs that lasts more than two weeks, consult a spine specialist. If muscle weakness is caused by a pinched nerve (which can happen for a variety of reasons), physical therapy can help you regain strength over time.
Tingling and Numbness
Tingling and numbness can be signs of a pinched nerve, but they can also be symptoms of other conditions. If you’ve been feeling tingling or numbness in any part of your body (especially if it’s accompanied by pain), see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out more serious illnesses.
Tingling and numbness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Spinal stenosis
Back injury
Arthritis
In Need of Spine Surgery? New York Spine Specialist Can Help
Back surgery is frequently used as a last resort in many cases because there are so many other treatment options. Surgery is usually recommended when non-surgical treatment options such as physical therapy, medication, epidural injections, and surgical screws have not effectively treated your pain and prevented further injury.
Reduced stress, adequate sleep, and regular exercise can all help lower your risk of developing back problems. In fact, most back problems are caused by our daily activities rather than by a specific job or activity. However, it is critical to see an experienced doctor to determine whether a more serious condition causes the pain.
New York Spine Specialist is dedicated to providing our clients with professional spine care services. Our doctors accept workers’ compensation, no-fault, PIP, and other insurance plans. We have a spine team that includes pain management specialists, physical therapists, and orthopedic surgeons who can perform an accurate diagnosis and orthopedic surgery if necessary. Contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment.