HERNIATED DISC
A herniated or “slipped” disc is a common spine injury that occurs when the jelly-like substance inside the intravertebral discs is forced outward either creating a bulge in the disc’s membrane or leaking out through a tear in the membrane. The movement of the jelly-like substance places pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause pain and discomfort. There are two areas of the spine that can experience a herniated disc, the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck).
CAUSES
- Trauma
- Strain
SYMPTOMS
- Pain isolated to one side of the body
- Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
TREATMENT
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Medication
- Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Laser spine surgery
BULGING DISC
Normally, soft, jelly-like discs that rest between the vertebrae (bony segments that make up the spine) are compressible, which allows the spine to react to motion and pressure without damage. When these discs become damaged, pain and difficulty moving can occur. A bulging disc is when the interior of the disc pushes up against the disc’s membrane creating an outward push of the interior substance. These bulges can put pressure on the spinal nerves.
CAUSES
- Trauma
- Strain
SYMPTOMS
- Pain isolated to one side of the body
- Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
TREATMENT
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Medication
- Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Laser spine surgery
TORN DISC
A torn disc is more severe than a bulge because the membrane that encloses the jelly-like interior of the disc becomes ripped open, allowing the gel to leak out. This creates pressure on the spinal nerves, which generates pain and numbness.
CAUSES
- Trauma
- Strain
SYMPTOMS
- Pain isolated to one side of the body
- Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
TREATMENT
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Medication
- Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Laser spine surgery
CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY (PINCHED NERVE)
Cervical Radiculopathy occurs due to sustained damage by the root of the spinal nerves in the neck. These nerve root injuries are commonly referred to as “pinched nerves” and cause pain and numbness in the neck that radiates down the shoulder and into the arm.
CAUSES
- Herniated disc
- Age-related disc degeneration
- Bone spurs
- Arthritis
SYMPTOMS
- Sharp pain or a pins and needles sensation
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
TREATMENT
- Soft neck collar
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Steroid injections
- Laser spine surgery
LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY (SCIATICA)
Lumbar Radiculopathy, commonly known as sciatica, is pain in the lower extremities that radiates from the lumbar spine (lower back). Pain is caused by compression at the roots of the spinal nerves, and generally causes discomfort in the lower back, hips, thighs, and travels down the legs. Compression most often occurs when the jelly-like substance in the intravertebral discs puts pressure on the nerves either by bulging out or by leaking out through a tear in the disc membrane.
CAUSES
- Trauma
- Herniated disc
- Age-related disc degeneration
SYMPTOMS
- Pain radiating through the lower extremities
- A “popping sound” when moving the lower back
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Difficulty moving the lower extremities
TREATMENT
- Medication
- Cortisone injections
- Physical therapy
- Rest
- Laser spine surgery
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Degeneration of the soft, jelly-like intravertebral discs is a natural process that occurs over time, however in some cases this degeneration causes pain when the disc begins to exert pressure on the spinal nerves. Inflammation and instability that generate muscle spasms are the most common cause of pressure on the nerves. This condition can occur in the cervical spine (neck) or the lumbar spine (back).
CAUSES
- Trauma
- Herniated disc
- Age-related disc degeneration
SYMPTOMS
- Pain made worse when sitting
- Increased pain when bending, lifting, or twisting
- Relief when walking or moving
- Tingling
- Numbness
TREATMENT
- Rest
- Light exercise
- Medication
- Laser Spine Surgery
SPINAL STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the channels that house the spinal nerves in the lumbar spine (lower back) or cervical spine (neck). Spinal stenosis generates pressure on the spinal nerves by compressing the available space in which they can function.
CAUSES
- Arthritis of the spine
- Age-related disc degeneration
- Herniated disc
- Congenital bone defects
SYMPTOMS
- Numbness
- Muscle cramps
- Pain in the back and legs
- Weakness in the extremities
- Difficulty walking
- Problems with bowel control
TREATMENT
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Laser Spine Surgery
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
Spondylolisthesis is a condition where a vertebra (bony segment that composes the spine) in the lumber spine (lower back) slips forward over the vertebra below it. This condition can vary in severity from no symptoms to severe presentation of symptoms.
CAUSES
- Congenital birth defects
- Arthritis
- Age-related degeneration
- Stress fractures
- Trauma
SYMPTOMS
- Lordosis (sway in the curvature of the back)
- Lower back pain
- Muscle tightness
- Pain radiating through the leg
- Stiffness
- Tenderness in the area of the affected vertebrae
TREATMENT
- Bracing
- Medication
- Stretching exercises
- Laser Spine Surgery
BONE SPURS
A bone spur (osteophyte) is an abnormal bone growth that forms on an existing natural bone. Bone spurs create pain by rubbing on other bones or soft tissues (including ligaments, tendons, and nerves).
CAUSES
- Overuse (pressure, rubbing, stress)
- Trauma
- Age-related degeneration
- Osteoarthritis
SYMPTOMS
- Swelling
- Pain at the site of the spur
- Tenderness
TREATMENT
- Exercise to remove pressure on joints
- Stretching
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Steroid injection
- Laser Spine Surgery
FORAMINAL STENOSIS
The space between vertebrae that nerves roots travel through is called the foramen. When the foramen narrows the nerves become compressed causing a specific form of spinal stenosis that affects only a few vertebrae.
CAUSES
- Arthritis of the spine
- Age-related disc degeneration
- Herniated disc
- Congenital bone defects
- Bone Spurs
SYMPTOMS
- Numbness
- Muscle cramps
- Pain in the back and legs
- Weakness in the extremities
- Difficulty walking
- Problems with bowel control
TREATMENT
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Laser Spine Surgery
FACET JOINT SYNDROME
The facet joints are the areas in the spine that connect the vertebrae (bony segments that make up the spine). Like all joints, these structures enable bending, twisting, and flexing motions. Inflammation in these joints causes pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to move. This disorder most often affects the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back).
CAUSES
- Trauma
- Arthritis
SYMPTOMS
- Pain localized to one side of the body
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back or pain in the lower back or hips
- Difficulty walking, or walking hunched over
TREATMENT
- Medication
- Steroid injections
- Laser Spine Surgery
ARTHRITIS OF THE SPINE
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints that causes pain and restricts movement. Arthritis occurs due to the breakdown of cartilage that normally protects joints, facilitating smooth movement. Without cartilage, bones rub together, which creates inflammation, pain, and stiffness. There are a variety of different types of arthritis that affect different parts of the body.
CAUSES
- Autoimmune disease
- Broken bones
- Age-related degeneration
- Infection
SYMPTOMS
- Pain
- Joint swelling
- Reduced ability to move the joint
- Redness of the skin
- Stiffness
TREATMENT
- Low-impact aerobic activity
- Range of motion exercises for flexibility
- Strength training for muscle tone
- Avoid placing extra stress on your affected joints
- Modify your home to make activities easier
- Medication
- Laser Spine Surgery
HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES)
Herpes Zoster, commonly referred to as shingles or adult chicken pox, is a skin rash that can cause lower back pain in extreme cases. Shingles most often occurs in adults over the age of 60. The virus that causes shingles lives in the nervous system, and when triggered will generate sores along the path of the affected nerves. In some cases these sores don’t develop, but the virus will still be active in the nerves, causing pain.
CAUSES
- Varicella zoster viral infection
- Stress
- Immune deficiency
SYMPTOMS
- Sensitive skin
- Rash
- Skin blisters that trace the path of a nerve
- Tenderness in the back
TREATMENT
- Anti-viral drugs
- Medication
- Anti-itching lotions
- Pain Management Injections
POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA
Once a shingles infection has healed, residual pain can occur for several months or even years due to the virus’ presence in, and damage to, the nervous system. The spine pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia would be similar to that felt during the actual shingles outbreak.
CAUSES
- Varicella zoster viral infection
- Nerve damage
SYMPTOMS
- Pain in the area where shingles once occurred
- Pain that lasts for a long period of time (at least several months)
TREATMENT
- Anticonvulsant drugs
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Spinal cord stimulation
REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a type of complex regional pain syndrome, classified as type I. This is a progressive chronic disease that has no cure. Complex regional pain syndrome generates severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin. Type I shows no visible nerve lesions.
CAUSES
- Nerve damage
- Central nervous system sensitization
SYMPTOMS
- Severe burning pain at the sight of injury
- Muscle spasms
- Stiff joints
- Difficulty moving
- Constriction of blood vessels
TREATMENT
- Steroid injections
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Sensory discrimination training
- Local anaesthetic blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation
CAUSALGIA
Causalgia is a type of complex regional pain syndrome, classified as type II. This is a chronic, progressive disease that has no cure. Complex regional pain syndrome generates severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin. Type II shows visible nerve lesions indicating that an injury damaged the nerves.
CAUSES
- Nerve damage
- Central nervous system sensitization
SYMPTOMS
- Intense pain
- Swelling
- Hair loss
- Osteoporosis
- Joint stiffness
- Muscle atrophy
TREATMENT
- Steroid injections
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Sensory discrimination training
- Local anaesthetic blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation
PHANTOM LIMB PAIN
A phantom limb is the sensation that a body part that has been amputated or removed is still attached to the body and is moving appropriately with the other parts of the body. The missing limb is generally described as feeling shorter, or distorted into a painful position.
CAUSES
- Nerve damage at the site of the missing limb
- Inflammation
- Neural remapping or cross wiring
SYMPTOMS
- A feeling of pain in a part of the body that no longer exists
- The sensation that a missing limb is actually there
TREATMENT
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Preoperative pain management for planned amputations
- Physical therapy
ISCHEMIC PAIN
Ischemia is a condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the body is disrupted. This results is extreme pain because the nervous system is not getting the oxygen-rich blood it needs to survive. This type of pain can affect any part of the body.
CAUSES
- Blocked blood vessels
- Tourniquet application
- Compression of blood vessels by outside forces
- Low blood pressure
- Embolism
- Traumatic injury
SYMPTOMS
- Severe pain in the extremities
- Numbness
- Tingling
TREATMENT
- Gradual restoration of blood flow
- Medication
- Physical therapy
CANCER PAIN
Cancer can cause nerve damage and pain in several different ways. Cancerous growths, like tumors, can push against and compress nerves.
Certain cancers can restrict the absorption of nutrients, which can cause deficiencies that affect nerve function. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can also create nerve pain by damaging the nervous system.
CAUSES
- Abnormal development of cells
- Nerve compression
- Loss of nutrients
- Nerve damage
SYMPTOMS
- Pain in the area affected by the damaged nerve
- Numbness
- Tingling
TREATMENT
- Medication
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
FAILED BACK SYNDROME
Failed back syndrome (post-laminectomy syndrome) is persistent pain that occurs following a surgical procedure on the back. Also called failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), it is chronic pain in the back or leg.
CAUSES
- Herniated disc
- Post-operative pressure on the spinal nerve
- Joint stiffness
- Scar tissue
- Vascular disease
SYMPTOMS
- Dull, aching pain in the back or legs
- Sharp pricks of pain in the extremities
- Constant or persistent pain
TREATMENT
- Physical therapy
- Minor nerve blocks
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Steroid injections
MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME
Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by chronic muscle pain generated by trigger points in the muscles that are sensitive to the touch. This type of pain is persistent and gets worse over time. Myofascial pain syndrome can affect any part of the body, most often occurring in the jaws, neck, lower back, pelvis, arms, and legs.
CAUSES
- Traumatic injuries
- Overuse
SYMPTOMS
- Aching muscle pain
- Pain that gets worse over time
- Muscle stiffness
- Joint stiffness near the affected muscle
- Knots or tight spots in the muscle
- Sensitivity to touch
TREATMENT
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections