A spine problem can cause pain and other symptoms. A spine specialist can diagnose them with a physical exam and scans like X-rays or an MRI.
Your spine sends nerve signals to all parts of your body. Spine problems can cause weakness or numbness in your arms, legs and feet. They can also happen when your bones compress nerves or spinal cord.
In a herniated disk, the gel-like center of the disc ruptures through a weak area in the tough outer wall of the spine. The ruptured portion presses against one of the spinal nerves and causes back or leg pain, numbness, or weakness. Herniations can occur anywhere in the spine, but are most often found in the neck or lower back. They can be caused by a sudden injury such as lifting a heavy object in the wrong posture, or they can develop slowly over time as people age and experience repeated stress on their spines.
A careful physical exam is usually the first step in diagnosing herniated discs. The doctor will ask you where you have pain or numbness and will test your range of motion. He or she may perform a specialized test called the straight leg raise to help determine whether a herniated disc is the cause of your symptoms. In this test, you lie on your back while the health care provider lifts your leg straight up and holds it there. Pain or numbness in the leg and lower back that occurs during this test is a good indicator of a herniated disc.
If you have a herniated disk, your doctor will likely recommend conservative nonsurgical treatment. This can include a short course of rest, pain medications, spinal injections, and physical therapy. Most patients with herniated discs improve within six weeks and return to their normal activities. In some cases, if the herniated part of the disc continues to press on the nerves, your doctor will recommend epidural steroid injections.
Spine specialists recommend herniated disk surgery only when nonsurgical treatments are not effective. During the procedure, your doctor will remove the herniated part of the disc and any additional fragments that are pressing on the nerves. This is done through a small incision and with the use of a microscope. After the herniated material is removed, the remaining healthy parts of the disk will naturally reintegrate into the spinal column. This procedure is also known as microdiskectomy or laminectomy.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the bones in your spine — vertebrae — slips forward out of place. X-rays may show a slipped vertebra. Your doctor may also give you a grade, which depends on how serious the slip is and how much your spine curves inward (lordosis). If you have low-grade spondylolisthesis, you probably don’t need surgery. However, you may need surgery if your symptoms are severe and getting worse.
You may need a CT scan or an MRI to see the structure of your spine and the soft tissues, such as nerves and muscles, in more detail. These tests can also help your doctor identify any compressed nerves or signs of spinal stenosis. A MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create computerized, three-dimensional images of your spine and the surrounding soft tissue.
Usually, your healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms and medical history before giving you a physical exam. He or she will examine your back, paying particular attention to any areas of tenderness and how your posture affects your walking distance and gait. Children and adolescents who participate in sports that involve repetitive back motions, such as gymnastics, football, diving, and martial arts, are at an increased risk of developing isthmic spondylolisthesis.
A CT scan or an MRI can show whether a vertebrae in your spine has shifted out of place and, if so, how much. Your doctor will then decide on a treatment plan.
Nonsurgical treatment for spondylolisthesis involves a combination of rest, exercise, and therapy. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may help with pain relief. Your healthcare professional might also prescribe steroid injections into your spine.
Serious spondylolisthesis can lead to a condition called cauda equina syndrome, in which the nerve roots in part of your lower spine, known as the cauda equina, get compressed. This can cause numbness and weakness in your legs, and may even interfere with your bladder control and bowel function. If left untreated, degenerative spondylolisthesis can eventually lead to spinal stenosis and loss of feeling in your arms and legs.
The spine is a series of bones called vertebrae that provides stability and support for your body. The spinal cord runs through the vertebrae and carries messages from your brain to your body. If the space around the spinal cord and nerves becomes narrow, you have spinal stenosis. This can cause pain, numbness and weakness in your legs. Spinal stenosis is more common as you get older. It’s most common in people over 50 because of wear and tear that occurs in the joints of the spine and degeneration of discs. It can also be caused by tumors or conditions such as arthritis and Paget’s disease.
In most cases, spinal stenosis can be treated with nonsurgical treatments such as medicines and physical therapy. If your symptoms worsen or affect your ability to work, you may need surgery. Surgery is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It can help you regain movement and feeling in your legs.
Your doctor will review your medical history and do a physical exam. They will feel your back and press on different areas to see if it causes pain. They will also ask you to bend in various positions. This is because lumbar spinal stenosis can be worsened by standing up straight or walking long distances, and it can be relieved by sitting or leaning forward.
X-rays can show bone changes and herniated disks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and a magnet to create cross-sectional images of the spine. These images can reveal changes in the spinal cord, disks and ligaments and identify a tumor or herniated disk. A computed tomography scan (CT) may be used if MRI isn’t available. This test combines X-rays taken from many angles to create 3-D images of the spine. It can help find herniated disks and bone spurs.
Pain and other symptoms of spinal stenosis can be reduced by taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or other medications that reduce inflammation. You can also try taking an antidepressant or anti-seizure drug. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor can perform an epidural spinal injection that puts medicine directly into the area around your spinal nerves or spinal cord.
The spine connects to muscles, ligaments and nerves that control movement and sensation throughout the body. Injury to the spinal cord can cause loss of feeling in legs and arms, as well as bowel or bladder control. It can also affect breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.
The bones of the spine, called vertebrae, are stacked in a column from your skull to your tailbone. They protect the spinal cord, which runs through an opening in the spine called the spinal canal. Wear and tear and aging can lead to changes in the spine that can put pressure on the cord or spinal nerves. These include changes in the shape of your spine (scoliosis) and a narrowing of the space in the spine, which is called spinal stenosis.
A sudden jerking motion of the neck, such as when you fall or are hit in the head, can strain your neck muscles and ligaments. This can cause a whiplash injury that can be very painful. Pain relievers and physical therapy can help.
Spine fractures can occur when the bones in the spine break due to trauma, a fall or other injuries. Fractures can also happen when the bone becomes weakened, usually by osteoporosis. The bones may weaken and break if the pressure on them is great enough, such as when a person falls from a ladder or onto their back. A crack in the spine is called a herniated disk when the broken piece of bone presses on a spinal nerve. It is also called a closed or simple fracture when the break doesn’t leave a hole in the bone surface.
If the spinal cord is compressed, it can cause numbness and tingling in the arms or legs. This is most common when a herniated disk, bone spur or another problem squeezes a spinal nerve. It can also occur if the spinal cord gets crushed by a car crash or other injury.
A careful physical exam and medical history are the first steps in diagnosing a spinal cord disorder. Your doctor may order imaging tests to get clear pictures of your spine, discs, nerves, muscles and ligaments. These tests can include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scans. You may also need an electromyogram to test the strength of your nerves or for signs of muscle damage.
Spine problems symptoms include pain or a heavy feeling in your buttocks or legs that goes down to your feet. Other symptoms are weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms and legs.
X-rays can show changes in your spine. MRI and CT scans can help identify problems like herniated or protruded (slipped) discs.
In between each of the 26 bones, called vertebrae, in your spine are discs that are made of a jelly-like substance and act as cushions for your spine. A herniated, or slipped, disc is when part of the spinal disk protrudes out of its normal position, pressing on nerves or the spinal cord. This can cause pain, numbness or weakness. Symptoms usually start in the neck or back, and can also radiate down your arms or legs.
A herniated disk is sometimes referred to as a bulging or slipped disc, but the outer layers of the annulus fibrosus may be intact and bulge slightly, but not allow any of the inner nucleus pulposus out. A true herniation, however, causes the outer anulus to rupture, allowing the gel-like center to squeeze through and cause symptoms. A herniated disc can occur in any area of the spine, but is most common in the lower (lumbar) spine where the spinal nerves exit.
Most herniations are the result of gradual wear and tear on the spine, which can weaken a spinal disc and cause it to rupture. A sudden injury, such as falling off a ladder and landing on your feet or bending over to lift something heavy puts a lot of pressure all at once across the spine. This can break a bone or a disc, but it can also rupture a weakened, already herniated disc.
Certain factors increase the risk of herniated discs, including age, obesity, repetitive back or neck movements and smoking. Overly tight muscles, especially those in the lower back, can also cause problems, as can being sedentary for long periods of time.
Most herniated discs can be treated with rest, ice or heat, over-the-counter pain relievers and physical therapy. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen or celecoxib) or muscle relaxants. If the herniated disc is compressing the spinal nerves or spinal cord, you may need further testing with electromyography and/or nerve conduction studies to determine the exact location of the compressed nerve root.
A person who has spondylolisthesis may experience pain, numbness or other symptoms in the lower back or legs depending on what type of spondylolisthesis they have. This condition occurs when a vertebra, one of the bones that make up the spine, slips forward over the bone below it. Sometimes the forward motion of a vertebra can compress spinal nerves. This can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe.
A doctor will diagnosis spondylolisthesis by reviewing a patient’s medical history and doing a physical exam. They will also take X-rays of the spine. These X-rays can show a vertebra’s position and can help determine the severity, or grade, of the slipped vertebra. In some cases, doctors might use other imaging tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan to get more detailed information about the location and extent of the fracture or forward slip of a vertebra.
Spondylolisthesis often develops from age-related degeneration of the spine’s joints and discs. It can also be caused by traumatic injury, such as a car accident or a fall. Degenerative spondylolisthesis tends to worsen over time and can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal, or stenosis, which can cause numbness and other painful symptoms.
Treatment for spondylolisthesis depends on the severity of the condition and the impact on the spinal nerves. Non-surgical treatments can include rest, physiotherapy and taking painkillers or steroid injections. In some cases, we might suggest sleeping with a reclining mattress or propped up on pillows to reduce the pressure on the spine from a slipped vertebra.
Surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis is generally only recommended when other treatments have failed, the symptoms are severe and disabling or the spinal nerves are being compressed. Surgery is usually a spinal fusion procedure to help deal with the mechanical issues associated with instability and to relieve the compression of the spinal nerves.
Patients who undergo a spinal fusion are likely to need longer periods of bed rest than those who do not have this procedure. This is because a fusion can prevent the body from healing properly.
Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the bones of your spine (the bony portion called your vertebral column) narrows. This can compress spinal nerves and the spinal cord. Symptoms may include pain, numbness or weakness. The symptoms usually start in the lower back and spread down your legs and feet. They can get worse over time. The symptoms often get better when you bend forward or stand for short periods of time. You may also notice that your symptoms are relieved when you walk uphill or climb stairs.
You have a greater chance of developing spinal stenosis as you age. This is because the disks between your vertebrae break down over time, causing the bones of the spine to thicken or grow larger. Arthritis is another common cause of spinal stenosis. During this condition, the fluid that cushions your joints in the spine (spinal disks) can leak out and form bone spurs. This can also narrow the spaces where your spinal nerves run through the center of your spinal canal.
Your doctor diagnoses spinal stenosis by reviewing your medical history, doing a physical exam and performing imaging tests. X-rays of your spine can show changes in the shape of your bones or discs, such as bone spurs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a more detailed test that shows the shape and size of your spinal cord, disks, nerves and spinal muscles. This test can help your doctor identify the source of your symptoms and rule out other conditions.
Corticosteroid injections can reduce the inflammation in the area around spinal nerves that are pinched by spinal stenosis. This can relieve the pain, numbness and weakness. Your doctor may also recommend a class of medications called neuroleptics, which stabilize overactive neurons in your spinal cord and can ease the pain caused by nerve compression.
You can help slow the progression of spinal stenosis by maintaining a healthy weight, improving your posture and learning proper lifting techniques. Your doctor can suggest exercise programs that build strength in your arms and legs to improve balance, walking and bending.
Spondylolysis is a condition that can develop in your spine, called the lumbar spine. It causes a crack (fracture) in your vertebrae, which are the 24 small rectangular-shaped bones that form the spinal column. Each vertebra is joined to its neighbor by facet joints, which work like hinges and allow your spine to bend and move. Spondylolysis usually affects the lower back (lumbar spine). When there is a weakness in these facet joints, the vertebrae can slip forward out of their normal position. This is called spondylolisthesis. This can kink or press against spinal nerves, causing pain and other symptoms. Spondylolysis most often happens in the lumbar spine, but it can also happen in your neck (cervical spine) or middle back (thoracic spine).
Spondylolisthesis usually happens when the stress of physical activity or heavy weight puts too much pressure on the spine and cause a vertebrae fracture or to slip over its neighbor. Young people and teenagers who participate in sports that require repeated backward motion of the spine such as gymnastics, pole vaulting, and football are at increased risk for spondylolisthesis. Symptoms of spondylolisthesis may first appear during teenage growth spurts, when the spinal bones are growing quickly.
Most people who have spondylolysis heal without surgery. The most common treatment is to take over-the-counter pain killers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Injections of an anesthetic medication directly into the spine can relieve pain.
If the spondylolysis is advanced and spondylolisthesis has developed, surgery is needed to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent further spine damage and nerve problems. Surgery can involve placing a screw (Buck’s screw) or wire (Scott’s wire) across the gap in the bone, and/or adding a bone graft to try and get the spondylolysis hole to heal.
If you are diagnosed with spondylolysis, talk to your provider about the best treatment plan for you. Follow your provider’s treatment plan for as long as it takes to help manage your pain and give the fracture a chance to heal. Your provider may recommend that you stop participating in high-intensity activities until the fracture and spondylolisthesis heal.
Your spine is a stack of little bones called vertebrae that runs down your back and supports your head, shoulders and upper body. Between each bone is a gel-filled disc that acts as a shock absorber. If a disc bulges out, it can touch nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness.
The disks (intervertebral) that make up your spine act as flexible cushions between the bones (vertebrae) that stack to form your back. A spinal disc has a soft, jellylike center (nucleus) surrounded by a tough outer shell (annulus). Herniated discs occur when the nucleus squeezes through a tear in the annulus and presses on nerves. This may cause pain, numbness or weakness in your back and legs. Herniated discs may be caused by trauma, a sudden fall or heavy lifting, poor posture, aging, and repetitive stress on the spine.
X-rays are commonly used to diagnose herniated discs. Your doctor will take pictures of your spine to look for signs of a herniated disc, such as bone spurs. A computed tomography (CT) scan may be used if X-rays do not show a herniated disc. A myelogram, which involves injecting dye into your spine under X-ray guidance for a CT scan, is sometimes also used to identify herniated discs and other problems of the spinal canal and bones in the neck.
Most herniated discs get better over time with medicine, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. If your symptoms are severe, you might need an operation to remove part or all of the herniated disk.
There is always a risk of infection after surgery, especially in the skin incision and in the spinal canal or inside the disc area. If you have an infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
A recurrent herniated disc can be treated with epidural steroid injections. These shots contain steroids that help reduce inflammation and can relieve pain for weeks or months at a time.
The OHSU Spine Center recommends conservative treatments for most herniated discs, especially in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar). These include avoiding strenuous activities, using a lumbar support belt and practicing good posture when sitting and standing. We can also suggest a combination of medicines to help reduce your pain and physical therapy treatment, including exercises that teach you to strengthen your core muscles to help prevent further herniations. If conservative treatments don’t work, we might recommend an epidural steroid injection or surgery to remove the herniated disc.
Spinal stenosis develops when the normal wear and tear of aging changes the bones of the spine. The cushioning discs between vertebrae shrink and dry out, bone spurs form, and the facet joints enlarge. The enlarged facet joints put pressure on the spinal nerves as they exit the spinal canal. This causes pain, weakness and numbness. The spinal nerves in the lower back (lumbar) and neck (cervical) are most often affected.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis include pain that starts in the buttocks and travels down one or both legs, usually into the foot. You may also feel a heavy feeling in your legs, and numbness or tingling in the arms or hands. The pain and other symptoms typically start slowly and get worse over time.
You may be able to cope with the pain of spinal stenosis by taking medication and modifying your activities. If your pain is not relieved by medications or you experience numbness, weakness or loss of bowel or bladder control, talk to your doctor about surgery.
To diagnose spinal stenosis, your doctor will review your medical history and do a physical exam. They will feel your spine, pressing on different areas to see if they cause pain. They may also have you bend forward, backward and side to side to see if certain movements bring on symptoms. X-rays and a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the spine can show bone changes, disk height and other spinal abnormalities. The MRI can also show the shape and size of the spinal cord, nerves and spinal column, showing any enlargement, degeneration or tumors.
Doctors can use corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling and irritation in the spinal nerves or spinal cord, relieving pain. They can also give you neuroleptic medications, which stabilize overactive neurons in the spinal cord and relieve pain. In rare cases, when the pain is severe and causing incontinence, or when you lose movement or feeling, you may need to have surgery to relieve the pressure on your nerves. At Och Spine, we use minimally invasive surgery whenever possible, so you can recover faster and return to your daily life.
The spine, or backbone, is made of bones called vertebrae. They are connected by a type of elastic tissue that allows us to bend, stretch, balance and walk. When the vertebrae form a curved line, you have scoliosis. Scoliosis can be caused by many conditions, including injury and arthritis. It also can develop during childhood and adolescence. The condition can be mild and go away on its own or it may get worse over time.
Doctors will use a physical exam and X-rays to diagnose scoliosis. The X-rays help them see how the vertebrae fit together and if there are any abnormalities, such as a bone spur or slippage. They can also detect arthritic changes, spinal deformities and injuries to the spine. A CT scan or an MRI can be used to confirm the diagnosis and show details of the deformity, such as the extent of the curve or whether it is getting worse over time.
Treatment for scoliosis depends on the age of the person and how severe the curve is. Children with mild scoliosis often don’t need treatment because their skeletons are still growing. For kids with more serious scoliosis, doctors might recommend a brace. It won’t straighten the spine, but it can prevent the curve from getting worse as the skeleton matures.
Adults with scoliosis may benefit from physical therapy and exercises to build strength and flexibility. Over-the-counter pain medications can reduce discomfort. If the pain becomes severe, an operation to fuse the spine might be needed. This procedure improves spinal balance and relieves nerve pressure, which can help reduce the curve.
Some people with scoliosis have a curve that is too large to correct with bracing or surgery. These cases can lead to rib cage rubbing, which causes pain, and can cause lung problems. Other people have a smaller curve, and the curved area isn’t structurally unsound. In these cases, surgeons might use screws and rods to hold the spine in place, followed by fusion. This surgery is reserved for the most severe scoliosis. During the procedure, the surgeon cuts and removes sections of vertebrae.
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weaker and more likely to break. It is most common in women over age 50 and men over 70. It occurs when bone removal from the body does not match new bone formation. This can cause the bones to become thinner and less dense, increasing the risk of fractures from falls or even from a simple cough or sneeze.
Often, people do not know that they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. These fractures can occur in the hip, wrist or spine. In severe cases, a spinal fracture can lead to back pain and a stoop or loss of height.
A doctor can diagnose osteoporosis by taking a sample of the bone and sending it for testing. A special test measures the density of the bone tissue. In addition to this, a doctor can also look at other factors that might contribute to osteoporosis. These include being a woman, having a family history of osteoporosis or being on certain medications, such as steroids used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or asthma.
Treatment for osteoporosis can involve lifestyle changes, supplements and medication. Some medications slow the loss of bone tissue and help to reduce the risk of fractures. These medications are called bisphosphonates, and they include alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Ibandronate), raloxifene (Evista) and calcitonin (Miacalcin).
Other treatments for osteoporosis may include weight-bearing exercise to improve balance and strengthen muscles and bones. This can include walking, yoga and tai chi. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you work with a physical therapist to develop an exercise plan that fits your needs.
Many medications for osteoporosis are available at a pharmacy, but some require a doctor’s prescription and must be given by a healthcare professional in a medical office or hospital. These drugs are typically covered by health insurance. Talk to your doctor about your options for getting these medications and preventing future fractures. In some cases, you may be able to receive a Medicare rebate for these medicines. If this is the case, your doctor will explain how to apply for a rebate.
The spine is an elegant stack of bones (vertebrae) that keep you erect and moving. It has a natural curve to it and flat, soft discs separate and cushion the bones.
Sometimes, the spinal disks can get herniated and pinch nerves nearby, causing arm or leg weakness, pain and numbness. Spine specialists can identify these problems and offer treatment to help you feel better.
The spine is sometimes called the backbone, but it’s not really a single bone. It’s made of lots of bones (called vertebrae) that are stacked on top of each other. The facet joints that connect the bones allow the spine to bend, stretch and balance. But if these joints wear out, the spine can develop unnatural side-to-side curves. This is called scoliosis.
Doctors can see if someone has a curved spine by performing a simple test. They have the patient put their hands together and then bend forward with straight knees, making the spine visible through their skin. They then use a small metal instrument called a scoliometer to measure the degree of the curve. If the curvature is greater than five or seven degrees, doctors will likely suspect scoliosis.
Spine scoliosis can affect people of any age, but it’s most common in teens and children. It’s important to see a doctor if you think you have scoliosis because it can lead to health problems. For example, if the curve is very large it can cause the ribs to rub against the pelvic bones and compress the lungs. This can cause breathing problems and heart failure.
If you have scoliosis, your doctor will monitor the curve and make sure it’s not getting worse over time. They might give you a brace to stop the curve getting worse until you finish growing or surgery to correct the curve.
If you have scoliosis, you should avoid activities that can make the curve worse such as repetitive bending, like when playing football, horseback riding and long-distance running on hard surfaces. You should also avoid positions that keep your neck bent forward, such as some yoga poses and gymnastic maneuvers.
The discs located between each of the bones (vertebrae) that stack to make up your spine act as shock absorbers and allow movement. Sometimes due to injury or age, these discs weaken and rupture. When this happens, the soft jelly-like center of the disk can push out through a tear or herniation into a space where it can irritate or press on nerves in the spinal cord and surrounding area. This can cause pain, numbness and weakness. Herniated discs most often occur in the lumbar region of the spine (the lower part of your back) but can also happen in the cervical area of the neck or in the upper-to-mid part of the back (thoracic region).
Most people with herniated disks get better with conservative nonsurgical treatment. This usually includes a period of rest along with pain medications and physical therapy including back stretches and exercises. Injections of steroid medication into the spine can also help with pain and inflammation. A myelogram, a test that uses dye injected into the spinal fluid under X-ray guidance, can show how herniated discs may be pushing on spinal nerves or affecting the spinal cord.
Symptoms of herniated discs include pain that moves up and down your spine or in and out of your legs. Symptoms can also include numbness or tingling in your arms or hands. A herniated disc can limit your mobility and interfere with many everyday tasks. It can even keep you from working in certain jobs that require frequent reaching, lifting or carrying heavy objects. A herniated disk can also affect your posture and cause a stiff neck or back. Almost always, your doctor will diagnose herniated discs through a review of your medical history and a careful physical exam. Diagnostic imaging tests are rarely needed, but may be used to confirm the diagnosis or rule out alternative conditions.
Degenerative Disc Disease affects the rubbery discs that cushion and separate your spine’s bones, called vertebrae. The discs help prevent the vertebrae from rubbing together when you bend, twist and move your body. They also protect the nerves that exit your spinal cord through small spaces between the vertebrae and branch out to the rest of the body. When a disc herniates or degenerates, it can compress the spinal nerves and cause back or neck pain, weakness or numbness in your arms and legs.
During normal aging, the discs lose fluid, which reduces their flexibility and causes narrowing of the space between the vertebrae. Abnormal physical labor or a sudden injury can speed up the process of spinal degeneration. Smoking and obesity can also accelerate the deterioration of the discs by restricting the flow of oxygen to the spinal disks.
Each disc in the spine is composed of a tough outer layer, called the anulus fibrosus, and a soft jellylike center, called the nucleus pulposus. The outside of the annulus has crisscrossing fibrous bands that attach to the vertebrae bone and the inside contains nerves. The discs provide height and flexibility in the spine and allow you to bend, twist and move your body.
Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease can range from mild to severe and disabling. The most common symptoms include back or neck pain, which can be aggravated by certain movements or activities. The pain may spread to your buttocks and thighs or radiate to the arms and hands, depending on the location of the affected disc. Other symptoms can be numbness, muscle weakness or foot drop, which indicates that the spinal nerves are being compressed by a swollen or herniated disc.
Nerve roots in your spine carry information to and from the brain that drives body movements and senses. When a nerve root becomes compressed or irritated by structures in the spine, you may experience pain. These structures include bones of the spinal vertebrae, tendons and discs. This condition, called radiculopathy, can be caused by herniated or bulging (slipped) discs or spinal stenosis. It can also be the result of spondylolisthesis, a weakness at the point where your spinal vertebrae connect together, or by a spinal infection. Cancerous or noncancerous growths in the spine can also cause nerve root compression.
Symptoms of nerve root compression vary depending on where your spine is affected and how severe the pressure is. The most common symptom is pain that follows the path of the nerve. This can feel like a sharp, burning sensation or an electric shock. It can affect one side or both sides of the body and can get worse when you cough, sneeze or stand for long periods. It can also get worse if you’re overweight.
Mild nerve root compression usually doesn’t need surgery and can be treated with medication, injections, physical therapy and chiropractic care. However, major compression can cause weakness in your arms and legs or even lead to a condition called cauda equina syndrome. This causes loss of movement and loss of sensation and control over your bladder, bowels and legs.
In some cases, a spinal surgeon can relieve pressure on the nerves by removing bone spurs and widening the space where the spinal nerves enter and exit the spine; this is called cervical posterior foraminotomy or lumbar laminoplasty. Surgery can also involve fusing some of the vertebrae or using bone grafts to stabilize the spine.
The spinal cord is designed to relay messages between the brain and body. A spinal cord injury can occur from trauma or from a condition like rheumatoid arthritis that weakens the spine, leading to the bones and tissues pressing on the spinal cord. It can also occur when the spinal canal that protects the spinal cord becomes too narrow (spinal stenosis). If all feeling and the ability to control movement are lost below the point of injury, it is called complete spinal cord injury or tetraplegia. Incomplete spinal cord injuries may include varying degrees of weakness in arms and legs.
After a spinal cord injury, doctors may perform tests to determine the extent of your injury. These may include CT scans to check for damage, blood clots and broken bones. An MRI may be used to see the spinal cord and ligaments, but this isn’t always possible for people with implanted devices such as pacemakers. In such cases, a procedure called CT myelography is performed by injecting a radiopaque dye into the spinal canal to check for displaced structures that are pushing on the cord.
Muscle atrophy is a common problem after SCI. It is the wasting or loss of muscle tissue that can result from the miscommunication between the brain and muscle that happens after SCI. It can lead to a loss of strength, reduced range of motion and difficulty breathing.
Other complications after spinal cord injury are related to bladder and bowel function. A person who has a spinal cord injury may experience urinary tract infections and pressure sores, as well as issues with their bowel, including diarrhea and constipation. Some of these complications are easier to treat than others, but it is important to seek treatment immediately.