Research has shown that about 80 percent of Americans can expect to experience back or neck pain at some point in their lives. Conditions that cause back pain often are related to the natural aging process, during which the spinal anatomy begins to degenerate because of a loss of water content in intervertebral discs, diminished bone mass in the vertebrae, or deterioration of the spinal joints. Most of these degenerative conditions never produce symptoms, but when spinal abnormalities lead to compression or irritation of nearby nerves, pain and other symptoms can become debilitating.
Understanding Spinal Conditions
It is important to remember that most back or neck pain is caused by a strained muscle or a sprained ligament, either from repeated poor posture or an injury. In most cases, these issues will heal themselves over time, and the pain these conditions produce can usually be managed using over-the-counter medication. However, there are many spinal conditions that are not related to strains or sprains, and these often require medical attention. These potentially serious conditions include:
- Arthritis of the spine (facet disease)
- Back pain
- Bone spurs
- Bulging disc (disc protrusion)
- Degenerative disc disease
- Degenerative spine
- Disc pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)
- Foraminal stenosis
- Herniated disc (prolapsed disc, ruptured disc, slipped disc)
- Neck pain
- Pinched nerve
- Radiculopathy
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
Advanced Endoscopic Treatment for Spinal Conditions
While the symptoms associated with these and other spinal conditions often can be managed through conservative treatment such as physical therapy and pain medication, surgery can become an option if debilitating pain persists after several weeks or months. Traditional back or neck surgery is highly invasive and often requires a year or longer for recuperation. The orthopedic specialists at Laser Spine Institute offer minimally invasive, outpatient alternatives using safe, advanced endoscopic techniques. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn more, and to receive a free review of your MRI or CT scan.
