Common Spinal Cord Issues

When you suffer from acute back pain, you may have difficulty getting around, trouble bending over, or restricted movements that can make everyday life challenging. If you constantly feel back pain, you may have issues related to your spinal cord. As an orthopedic surgeon in Debary, we treat many issues, pains, and conditions related to the spinal cord, as they are more common than you may think. If you experience frequent back pain, numbness, or tingling in your lower back or neck, you may be suffering from one of these common spinal cord issues.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces between your spinal canal decrease. When these spaces decrease, it can cause compression that leads to pain. This can compress the structures on the inside of the spine, like nerves, the cord itself, and the cerebrospinal fluid. Typically, your doctor will want to alleviate pain in physical therapy. If physical therapy does not work, they will then prescribe you medications to decrease pain and discomfort, and surgery is the last option to resolve the issue.

Scoliosis

Many people develop scoliosis at a young age. Scoliosis is when the spine curves to the side, which can cause issues with movement and mobility. In severe cases, people may even struggle to stand or walk. Some severe cases can make it difficult to breathe, as it lowers the room in the chest cavity, which stunts the ability to fully breathe deeply. Many doctors will treat scoliosis with casts and braces, and they will also suggest physical therapy.

Herniated Discs

Another common spinal cord issue is a herniated disc. When you suffer from a herniated disc, you may feel acute back pain that makes it difficult to stand, reach, or bend over. These occur when you injure one of the discs in your vertebrate. Some doctors may refer to this as a ‘slipped disc’ or ‘ruptured disc.’ The type of treatment you will need to alleviate pain and treat a herniated disc will depend on the severity of your injury. It can range from receiving physical therapy to needing surgery.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects millions of people, and it can cause bones to weaken and lose density. When this happens in your spine, the cartilage in between your discs can wear away, which exposes your bone to other bones. This can create an uncomfortable friction in your spine that will cause pain, discomfort, and aches. Typically, this will first be treated with over-the-counter medications to alleviate pain. If these options do not work, your doctor may suggest a more rigorous treatment, such as exercises, weight loss, or even surgery.

These are some of the most common spinal cord issues that you should become familiar with if you are worried about your back pain or limited mobility due to back issues. If you are experiencing recurring back pain, you should seek the assistance of our orthopedic surgeon in Debary.

Contact Florida Bone and Joint to schedule an appointment to treat your back pain today.