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• Spinal Cord & Nerve Roots

Spinal Cord & Nerve Roots

Your central nervous system consists of your brain and spinal cord. Nerve roots, 31 sets of them to be exact, branch off the thick, fibrous bundle of nerves that forms your spinal cord. Nerve roots play a significant role in all of your sensory and motor functions because they are the first step in relaying motor signals from your brain to your body and sensory impulses from your body to your brain.

Because of their proximity to the vertebral bones – as well as the tough yet flexible discs in between those bones – the spinal cord and nerve roots are susceptible to painful compression from some common conditions, including:

• Degenerative disc disease - as we age, our discs become increasingly brittle and thin, causing surrounding vertebrae to press closer together and pinch nerve roots that are exiting the spinal column between the vertebrae
• Spinal stenosis - the narrowing of the spinal canal
• Spondylolisthesis - a condition where one disc slips over the one beneath it; caused by birth defects, traumatic fractures, or degenerative disease
• Facet disease – spinal joint cartilage wears down due to normal wear and tear, overuse, trauma, etc., leading the formation of bone spurs which can impinge on a nerve root

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When the spine nerve roots are compressed, pain ensues. Nerve signals also can be blocked, leading to numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. This discomfort can range from a sporadic “pins and needles” feeling to the chronic, radiating pain indicative of sciatica.

If you think you may be experiencing pain due to nerve root compression, visit your doctor now. In most instances, minor pain can be managed through conservative treatments mandated by your physician, such as medication, physical therapy, or massage. If, however, your pain persists, contact the experienced team of endoscopic specialists at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn more about our gentle alternatives to open back surgery. Our minimally invasive procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and they offer a welcome reprieve from the risks and lengthy recovery periods of traditional surgery. Contact LSI for a free review of your CT scan or MRI.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.