Degenerative spine and disc conditions:

• Arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylosis

Other spine conditions and disorders:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Chronic spine and back pain
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures
• Spinal cord cancer
• Spinal deformities
• Spinal fracture
• Spinal tumours
• Spondylolisthesis

 

Causes of Spine Disorders

Spine disorders have a wide variety of causes depending on the particular condition. Common causes include:

• Accidents or falls
• Congenital disorders (present since birth)
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Inherited disorders
• Injuries ranging from minor to traumatic
• Degenerative wear and tear that comes with aging

Risk Factors for Spine Disorders

Factors that can increase the risk of developing a spine disorder include:

• Excess weight or obesity
• Improper lifting techniques
• Nutrition and lifestyle habits such as sedentary lifestyle, low calcium intake or smoking
• Other conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease
• Overuse from exercise or occupational movement
• Poor posture
• Repetitive strenuous activities

Symptoms of Spine Disorders

Signs and symptoms depend on the specific spine disorder and often affect other parts of the body depending on the area of the spine or spinal cord that is affected. Common symptoms include:

• Back or neck pain that can be sharp and stabbing, dull and aching or burning sensation
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Pain radiating in the arms or legs
• Stiffness or tightness
• Uneven appearance such as one shoulder or hip being higher than the other
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

Diagnosis of Spine Disorders

At Brain and Spine Hospital, our spine experts conduct a thorough evaluation, including:

• Physical exam
• Discussion of personal and family medical history
• Discussion of symptoms and risk factors
• Neurological exam, if a nerve injury or disorder is suspected

Depending on each patient’s individual case, our doctors might recommend one or more tests, such as:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnet to produce detailed images of the spine. MRI is useful in detecting injuries and disorders in soft tissue such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, spinal cord and nerves.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: CT uses specialized X-rays with or without a contrast agent to produce cross-sectional, 3D images of the spine. CT provides images that are more detailed than plain X-rays for evaluating bone injuries or disorders.
• X-ray: We use X-rays of the neck or different areas of the back to check for bone problems such as fractures other injuries and chronic disorders.
• Biopsy: If cancer is suspected, our neurosurgeons can take a small tissue sample for analysis under a microscope.

Treatment for Spine Disorders

Our spine specialists often use one or more treatments, depending on the specific condition or injury. Treatments we offer include:

• Back bracing
• Cancer treatment such as surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, radiosurgery and chemotherapy.
• Medications such as anti-inflammatory, pain relievers or muscle relaxers.
• Rehabilitation using physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the back, neck and abdominal muscles.

• Surgery to replace discs, fuse (connect) vertebrae, open up the spinal canal or repair nerves.

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