Orthopedic Diseases
An annular tear is a break in the tough, outer covering of the joints between vertebrae. When the annular layer is torn, underlying nerves are exposed and painful.
Bone spurs are extra bony growths that occur on bones. Although these growths are usually smooth, they can cause pain when they compress bones, tissues and nerves.
A bulging disc occurs when a disc that provides cushioning between vertebrae extends beyond the space it normally occupies. Bulging discs usually are not painful and are a normal part of the aging process.
Arthritis of the spine occurs when the cartilage in the joints and discs of the neck and lower back degenerate. Without this protective cartilage, the tops of the bones become worn down, causing pain.
Canal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows due to age-associated changes, such as vertebrae becoming misaligned. Since the nerves become compressed and irritated, canal stenosis can cause pain, numbness and weakness below the waist.
Degenerative disc disease is not a specific disease. It encompasses a wide range of conditions in which a damaged disc causes pain.
Degenerative joint disease, more commonly known as osteoarthritis, occurs when joint cartilage breaks down. Primarily a disease of middle-aged and older adults, degenerative joint disease can cause joint pain, stiffness and grinding.
Cervical spondylosis is chronic and excessive wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck. It frequently causes chronic neck pain.
A collapsed disc can occur when dehydration and age-related changes cause a disc between vertebrae to shrink. It is a painful condition and can increase susceptibility to disc herniation or rupture.
Facet Disease occurs when the joints that connect the spinal bones become swollen and painful due to injury or arthritis. Since nerve roots which connect the arms, legs and neck to the spinal cord travel through these joints, facet disease can cause widespread pain and difficulty with movement.
A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of a vertebral disc is broken, resulting in a leak of fluid. Symptoms vary and range from pain, numbness and weakness in a leg or arm to no symptoms at all.
Foraminal Stenosis occurs when the foramina, or large central openings of each spinal bone, become narrowed due to arthritis and other age-related conditions. Foraminal Stenosis can lead to numbness, weakness and pain in the arms or legs.
A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of a vertebral disc is broken, resulting in a leak of fluid. Symptoms vary and range from pain, numbness and weakness in a leg or arm to no symptoms at all.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a chronic condition in which placing pressure on sensitive muscular trigger points causes pain in other areas of the body. It often is the result of repetitive motion strain.
Neuropathic pain occurs when damaged or improperly functioning nerves send false signals to the brain. Phantom limb pain is a type of neuropathic pain.
A prolapsed disc occurs when one of the discs that are located between the vertebrae is damaged. The pressure this damaged disc placed on nearby nerves causes numbness, tingling, weakness and pain in the back, neck and other areas of the body.
Radiculopathy is pain, numbness, tingling and weakness along a spinal nerve. It is most common in the lower back and the neck.
Peripheral neuralgia is a condition in which the nerves that transmit information between the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and the rest of the body are damaged. Symptoms can range from tingling and numbness to muscle weakness.
A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding bones, muscles or cartilage place excessive pressure on a nerve. The resulting nerve dysfunction causes pain, numbness, tingling and weakness.
Sciatica is pain that radiates along the course of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the bottom of each leg. Sciatica pain typically occurs on one side of the body.
Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves to the side.
Sacroiliac joint pain occurs where the base of the spine joins the pelvis. It usually only occurs on one side, is exacerbated by bending over or standing after sitting for a long time and is relieved by lying down.
A prolapsed disc occurs when one of the discs that are located between the vertebrae is damaged. The pressure this damaged disc placed on nearby nerves causes numbness, tingling, weakness and pain in the back, neck and other areas of the body.
Spondylitis occurs when the vertebrae, or bones that comprise the spinal column, are inflamed. This can cause joints to become fused together, making movement difficult or impossible.
Spondylosis means age-related changes to the vertebrae, cartilage and discs. It can occur in the neck, mid or low back.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in the spine narrow and cause excess pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebrae, or spinal bone, moves out of position and lands on the vertebrae below it. This condition typically affects the lower back and can become painful.
Orthopedic Testing
A Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan is a test that involves combining X-rays taken from multiple angles to form a cross-sectional image of blood vessels and soft tissues.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic technique that creates detailed images of organs and tissues using a magnetic field and radio waves.
An endoscopic disc stimulation diagnosis involves injecting discs near the site of back pain with a small amount of contrast fluid. When the patient feels pain, the doctor can visually observe the site of pain using an endoscope.
An epiduroscopy involves using an epiduroscope to visually examine the epidural space, or area that contains the nerves that connect the spinal cord and the rest of the body. This test is used to check for inflammation and scar tissue in the nerve roots.
A facet branch block involves injecting a local anesthetic and a steroid into a nerve near a spinal joint to diagnose the source of spinal pain based upon the quality and duration of the relief obtained.
Pain mapping is a diagnostic technique in which a doctor probes sensitive areas and asks the patient to rate the pain they feel. This technique can be minimally invasive and creates a detailed map of sensitive areas.
Provocative Arthrography is a procedure in which contrast dye is injected into the joint space and X-rays are taken. The dye injections may provoke symptoms and pain.
Provocative manometric discography is a diagnostic procedure in which contrast dye is injected into problematic discs and CT scan images are taken. The dye injections may provoke symptoms or pain.
Provocative manometric discography is a diagnostic procedure in which contrast dye is injected into problematic discs and CT scan images are taken. The dye injections may provoke symptoms or pain.
A selective nerve root block involves injecting local anesthetics and steroids near a spinal nerve root that is suspected of causing pain. It can be used to determine which spinal nerve root(s) are causing symptoms such as pain.
Orthopedic Treatments
An anterior cervical corpectomy is a procedure in which displaced bone that is pressing on nerves is removed from the neck. Removing this bone relieves symptoms such as pain, numbness and weakness.
Anterior cervical decompression surgery is a procedure in which any structures which are compressing nerves in the cervical (neck) portion of the spinal cord are removed. This relieves symptoms such as numbness, pain and weakness.
Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion is a procedure in which bone fragments impinging on cervical (neck) spinal nerves are removed and a bone graft is added to restore stability lost due to bone removal.
During an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, a surgeon removes a faulty intervertebral disc and installs a metal, plastic or bone implant, supported with metal screws or rods, to better maintain spinal alignment.
During arthroscopic spine surgery, a small incision is made, an arthroscope is inserted and specialty equipment is used to correct a variety of spinal joint issues.
An artificial disc replacement procedure involves removal of the defective disc, installation of metal plates above and below the newly created space and insertion of a polyethylene cushion between these metal plates.
During an ALIF procedure, a surgeon partially removes the faulty disc and inserts a bone graft surrounded by a metal cage, secured with metal screws or rods, in its place. Over time, the bone graft will grow and fuse the surrounding lumbar vertebrae together.
An artificial disc replacement procedure involves removal of the defective disc, installation of metal plates above and below the newly created space and insertion of a polyethylene cushion between these metal plates.
During a cervical laminoplasty, a surgeon cuts one side of the bone over the spinal cord and thins the other side of the bone. This procedure creates a bone "door" to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and it is kept open using metal plates.
With the help of constant imagery, a surgeon implants a device that delivers controlled electric impulses to the portion of the spinal nerve root responsible for the pain. These electric impulses relieve symptoms such as pain.
During an endoscopic decompression procedure, a surgeon removes bone that is compressing spinal nerves with the help of an endoscope and specialty instruments.
Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion is a procedure in which a surgeon fuses spinal bones together through a surgical incision in the patient's side. This side approach spares major back muscles, bones and ligaments.
Facet joint and synovial arthrography involves injecting the facet joints and synovial spaces, respectively, with contrast dye and taking a series of images. The injections may cause joint symptoms and pain to occur.
Facet nerve ablation involves using a high-frequency radio current to create a lesion on the face nerve. This lesion reduces the excess nerve activity that causes pain and impedes arm or leg movement.
Foraminotomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing bone and soft tissues to increase the space through which a nerve travels.
Interspinous Process Fusion involves installing a metal implant in between the bony spinous processes. The goal of this procedure is to relieve back pain and leg numbness caused by lumbar spinal stenosis.
During a kyphoplasty, a balloon is inserted into a vertebra that has been fractured by osteoporosis. The cavity created by the balloon is then filled with bone cement.
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the lamina of the spine where it compresses nerves.
Laser spine surgery involves using a laser to burn away soft tissue during surgeries to remove discs, bone spurs or other structures causing spine-related pain.
Injecting steroids into the epidural space near the L4 and L5 vertebrae reduces pain and inflammation. These injections can be repeated up to three times for maximum benefit.
Using contrast dye and imagery, a doctor locates the medial branch nerves and injects anesthetic medication near them. If symptom relief is obtained, a longer-lasting pain medication may be injected at the same site.
A surgeon removes the herniated portion of a disc through an extremely small incision. This procedure restores nerve function.
A surgeon uses a small radio-frequency probe to dissolve portions of the inside of the disc. The surgeon only removes enough of the disc to reduce pressure, thus preserving spinal stability.
A surgeon uses a small radio-frequency probe to dissolve portions of the inside of the disc. The surgeon only removes enough of the disc to reduce pressure, thus preserving spinal stability.
Percutaneous facet fusion involves inserting bone dowels into the facet joint. These dowels trigger extra bone growth, which fuses and stabilizes the facet joint.
Interspinous Process Fusion involves installing a metal implant in between the bony spinous processes. The goal of this procedure is to relieve back pain and leg numbness caused by lumbar spinal stenosis.
During a percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, a surgeon installs screws and rods to stimulate bone fusion of the lumbar spine. This extra support reduces pain due to decreased spinal movement and nerve compression.
A posterior cervical foraminotomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing bone and soft tissues to increase the space through which the nerve root exits the spinal canal.
During a posterior cervical fusion, a bone graft is taken from the hip and is placed on the back of the vertebrae. When the vertebrae grow together, it creates a solid piece of bone which can correct neck dislocations and deformities.
A Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) procedure involves removing a problematic lumbar disc and replacing it with a bone graft. The surgeon performs the surgery from the posterior side of the spine.
A sacral nerve root stimulation procedure involves placing electrodes along the sacral nerves. These electrodes emit a weak electrical current that interrupts transmission of pain signals.
A selective nerve root block (SNRB) is an injection of pain medication into the space around spinal nerve roots. It is used to determine the cause of pain and for pain relief.
During spinal cord stimulation, a small electrode is placed in the epidural space near the spinal cord. It emits a weak electrical current that interrupts the transmission of pain signals.
A transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) involves removing a faulty disc from the side and installing a metal cage that contains a bone graft. The cage provides support while the bone graft fuses neighboring vertebrae permanently together.
Vertebroplasty involves injecting bone cement directly into a vertebra that has become narrow. This procedure is most frequently used for those who have pain due to a recent compression fracture of the spine.
