Spine care

Conditions treated at our hospitals include:

• Abnormal curves: The curve in your spine may become too extreme. Your spine may also develop a twist or an extra curve. These conditions put pressure on the vertebrae and discs, causing pain. Abnormal curvatures include:
  • Scoliosis (a side-to-side curve in your back)
  • Kyphosis (an increased curve or "hump" in your upper back)
  • Lordosis (an increased curve in your lower back, also called "swayback")
• Degenerative disc disease: This refers to several types of spinal disc changes. The most common are discs thinning, hardening or drying out. This disease can also start or worsen because of injury, disease or stress.
• Bulging discs: When the outer walls of spinal discs weaken, the discs may push out or bulge toward the nerves.
• Herniated discs: The outer walls of spinal discs can tear or rupture. When this happens, the soft material inside the discs can squeeze out and press on nearby nerves.
• Fractures: Vertebrae can crack or break. Fractures can happen because of an injury, repeated stress or certain medical conditions, such as osteoporosis.
• Instability: Adjoining vertebrae can slip back and forth. They can also permanently shift out of position. A damaged disc, a bone injury or arthritis can cause instability. This condition may also be congenital (present from birth). The slippage can irritate the bone, disc, spinal cord and nerves.
• Spinal stenosis: Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal.
• Nerve problems: Many of the conditions described above can irritate the spinal cord or nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, weakness and other problems throughout your body.

Your spine doctor may recommend noninvasive care or surgery for your back pain and can help you create a treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis and health goals. If your doctor has suggested surgery, you may have options. Spine surgeries offered at our hospitals include:

• Spinal fusion: During a spinal fusion, your surgeon will fuse vertebrae together. This is the most common procedure for spine conditions, including scoliosis.
• Laminectomy: Your surgeon will remove parts of the bone, bone spurs or ligaments in your back. A laminectomy relieves pressure on nerves and can ease pain or weakness.
• Discectomy: During a discectomy, your surgeon removes all or part of a spinal disc or discs.
• Disc replacement: Your surgeon will replace a damaged spinal disc with an artificial one.
• Interlaminar implant: Your surgeon will implant a U-shaped device between vertebrae. The implant helps keep the space between the vertebrae open. This eases the pressure on your spinal nerves.
• Arthroscopy: Your surgeon will fix tears in your spine's soft tissues and cartilage. This can reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
• Specialized cervical disc surgery: Your surgeon will remove damaged cervical discs. These discs are in the neck, connecting the skull to the upper spine.
• Robot-assisted spinal fusion surgery: Your spine doctor may use robot-assisted technology for:
  • Lumbar, thoracic and cervical spinal fusion
  • Degenerative disc disease surgery
  • Surgery for traumatic spinal injuries
  • Spinal instability due to scoliosis, fracture, etc.

We offer seminars and classes to help prepare you for spine surgery. You'll learn about preparing for surgery, what the procedure will be like and recovery. You can also attend spine surgery education courses. These teach about the treatment process and how you can prepare your home for your recovery.

Many things can cause back pain. Mild or occasional back pain may be treated at home. Your doctor may recommend rest, heat, ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Severe, frequent or constant back pain will need extra orthopedic care. In these cases, your doctor will diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan.

You may also need to see a spine doctor for back pain if you're experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Back pain when standing, walking or lying down
• Intense pain, burning or grinding in your back
• Inability to carry weight
• Pain, soreness or reduced range of motion in your back immediately following or the day after a long walk
• Inability to stand or walk for more than a few minutes
• Sudden swelling on or near your spine
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills or redness, accompanied by back pain