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Herniated (Ruptured) Disk
A herniated disk occurs when the "jelly-like" material inside the disk bulges against the outer rings of the disk. When the bulge presses against one of the nearby nerves it causes pain. If some of the material inside the disk actually leaks out it can cause an irritation of the nerve. If conservative care fails to provide relief from symptoms, or if there is a large rupture, your physician can perform a diskectomy to provide relief.
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Low Back Pain
The low back (lumbar spine) is a common site for pain. Low back pain may be caused by something as simple as poor posture or as complex as a herniated disk. The small cushions (disks) between the bones (vertebrae) of the spinal column are frequently the cause of the problem. These disks can tear, bulge, rupture, dry out or stretch. Any time the disks become injured they lose their ability to absorb shock and cushion the vertebrae.
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Neck Pain
The neck (cervical spine) can develop the same types of problems seen in the low back. In fact, because the neck is designed to permit such a wide range of motion and is not as well protected as the rest of the spine, it is even more vulnerable to injury. Often neck problems are related to disks. The disks in the neck can rupture, tear, bulge or dry out.
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Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a problem that causes the spine to curve and twist from side to side. Usually seen in girls, scoliosis is often discovered in the early teen years. Treatment depends on the severity. Observation, bracing-or in severe cases surgery-are used to treat scoliosis. Without proper treatment, the curvature in the spine can worsen as the child grows. This may cause back pain, arthritis of the back, misalignment of the body, and in the most severe cases, heart trouble and breathing difficulties.
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Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative arthritic condition usually seen in the low back. There is a narrowing of the spaces in the spine where nerves pass through, causing irritation to the nerves and pain to the patient. When spinal stenosis occurs in the low back it is often accompanied by pain and sciatica.
A combination of pain medication, back exercises, and in some cases oral steroid medication can provide relief. If the initial treatment does not relieve the symptoms as desired, an epidural steroid injection can also prove beneficial.
In some cases, surgery may even be considered.
Return to Spine Care
Spine Information
There are a number of good online resources for information about the spine. Visit the Spine Universe website or visit the Online References portion of this site.
Return to Spine Care
A herniated disk occurs when the "jelly-like" material inside the disk bulges against the outer rings of the disk. When the bulge presses against one of the nearby nerves it causes pain. If some of the material inside the disk actually leaks out it can cause an irritation of the nerve. If conservative care fails to provide relief from symptoms, or if there is a large rupture, your physician can perform a diskectomy to provide relief.
Return to Spine Care
Low Back Pain
The low back (lumbar spine) is a common site for pain. Low back pain may be caused by something as simple as poor posture or as complex as a herniated disk. The small cushions (disks) between the bones (vertebrae) of the spinal column are frequently the cause of the problem. These disks can tear, bulge, rupture, dry out or stretch. Any time the disks become injured they lose their ability to absorb shock and cushion the vertebrae.
Return to Spine Care
Neck Pain
The neck (cervical spine) can develop the same types of problems seen in the low back. In fact, because the neck is designed to permit such a wide range of motion and is not as well protected as the rest of the spine, it is even more vulnerable to injury. Often neck problems are related to disks. The disks in the neck can rupture, tear, bulge or dry out.
Return to Spine Care
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a problem that causes the spine to curve and twist from side to side. Usually seen in girls, scoliosis is often discovered in the early teen years. Treatment depends on the severity. Observation, bracing-or in severe cases surgery-are used to treat scoliosis. Without proper treatment, the curvature in the spine can worsen as the child grows. This may cause back pain, arthritis of the back, misalignment of the body, and in the most severe cases, heart trouble and breathing difficulties.
Return to Spine Care
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative arthritic condition usually seen in the low back. There is a narrowing of the spaces in the spine where nerves pass through, causing irritation to the nerves and pain to the patient. When spinal stenosis occurs in the low back it is often accompanied by pain and sciatica.
A combination of pain medication, back exercises, and in some cases oral steroid medication can provide relief. If the initial treatment does not relieve the symptoms as desired, an epidural steroid injection can also prove beneficial.
In some cases, surgery may even be considered.
Return to Spine Care
Spine Information
There are a number of good online resources for information about the spine. Visit the Spine Universe website or visit the Online References portion of this site.
Return to Spine Care