In this procedure surgeons remove a portion of the bone compressing the spinal nerves, or remove disc material from under the nerve root to relieve neural pressure. Microdiscectomy is used to treat herniated discs or peripheral leg pain. All of the joints, ligaments, and muscles are left intact because a microdiscectomy cleans out damaged or out of place tissue.

In this procedure surgeons remove a portion of the bone or disc material near the nerve root to create, decompress, and alleviate neural impingement. Laminectomy is different than a microdiscectomy because it requires a longer incision and disruption to the muscles. This procedure is commonly used to treat spinal stenosis.

This procedure is performed to stop motion of the vertebrae at specific segments, to alleviate pain generated by the movements of the joint. Surgeons insert a bone graft to a damaged area of the spine to stop motion at that location. The graft will generate new bone that fuses vertebrae together. This procedure is commonly used to treat spondylolithesis.

Cartilage is a firm and flexible connective tissue located throughout the body in joints, between bones, in the intervertebral discs, in the rib cage, and in the ear, nose, elbow, knee, and ankle. Like other connective tissues cartilage is made of collagen fibers, but unlike other connective tissues it does not contain blood vessels. This causes cartilage to repair and re-grow slowly. Cartilage can be damaged or degenerate due to a number of different disorders, most notably osteoarthritis. When cartilage is damaged, arthroscopy may be used to repair or remove the damaged tissue to facilitate motion in joints.

This procedure is used to treat patients who are suffering from trauma; most often fractures of the vertebrae. Surgeons insert a medical balloon into the spine that when inflated elevates the site of a vertebral fracture and returns pieces to a normal position. Kyphoplasty is intended to relieve pain associated with a fracture, stabilize the bone, and restore vertebrae height if the fracture is compressed.

Bone Morphogenic Proteins are a group of growth factors and cytokines that can induce the formation of bone and cartilage, and play an important role in determining tissue architecture throughout the body. BMPs are injected at the site of injury to help spur healing.

This procedure is performed as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. Dynamic stabilization uses flexible materials to form a device to stabilize an injured or damaged portion of the spine, without having to alter the natural anatomy of the spine. These devices alter the load-bearing pattern of the vertebrae so the damaged structures can heal.

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses an instrument called an endoscope to examine the internal structures of the body. An endoscope is a thin, flexible probe that is inserted directly into the damaged tissue to provide surgeons the ability to evaluate the tissue without having to make large incisions.

Arthroscopy uses a few small incisions to insert a small camera attached to a scope, called an arthroscope, which captures images of internal tissues and transmits the images back to large monitors in the operating room. This provides surgeons a complete view of the body's tissues without having to make large open incisions; because of this, these procedures are considered minimally invasive.

This procedure is a minimally invasive approach to spine surgery. This approach allows a surgeon to evaluate the spine by making incisions on the side using advanced real-time imaging devices to minimize the affects of surgery on surrounding tissue while increasing safety and efficiency.

A herniated disc involves the bulging of a spinal disc due to compression or a rupture. The bulging disc pinches the spinal nerves causing pain. This irritation can be caused gradually or by instances of trauma or heavy impact, most prevalent in American football.

Symptoms

• Weak feeling muscles
• Tingling and Numbness in limbs
• Shock pain, or electric shock

Treatment

• Rest and ice
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
• Oral steroids when necessary
• Epidural (cortisone) injections when necessary
• Stretching exercises
• Surgery only after several months with no progress

The soft, jelly-like discs that rest between the vertebrae (bony segments that make up the spine) are compressible, allowing the spine to react to motion and pressure without damage. When these discs become damaged, pain and difficulty moving can occur. A disc bulge is when the interior of the disc pushes up against the disc's membrane creating an outward push of the interior substance. These bulges can put pressure on the spinal nerves.

Symptoms

• Pain isolated to one side of the body
• Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Medication
• Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Surgery

A torn disc is more severe than a bulge because the membrane that encloses the jelly-like interior of the disc becomes ripped open, allowing the gel to leak out. This creates pressure on the spinal nerves, which generates pain and numbness.

Symptoms

• Pain isolated to one side of the body
• Pain that gets worse after standing or sitting
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Painkillers
• Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Surgery

Spinal Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually associated with age-related degeneration of the spine, but can also be caused by a herniated disc or a tumor. This condition can affect the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Weakness
• Tingling in the legs
• Numbness in the limbs
• Difficulty with bladder and bowel function

Treatment

• Painkillers
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Surgery to decompress the spinal cord and nerves

The space between vertebrae that nerve roots travel through is called the foramen. When the foramen narrows the nerves become compressed causing a specific form of spinal stenosis that affects only a few vertebrae.

Symptoms

• Numbness
• Muscle cramps
• Pain in the back and legs
• Weakness in the extremities
• Difficulty walking
• Problems with bowel control

Treatment

• Painkillers
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Surgery

Neck Sprains are caused by impacts to the neck, and can be very painful. They can involve either the ligaments in the cervical vertebrae or the muscle groups located in the neck.

Symptoms

• Pain in the rear or sides of neck
• Muscle spasms in the upper shoulders or back
• Headache originating from the back of the skull
• Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms and hands
• Sore throat

Treatment

• R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
• Cervical brace or collar when needed
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Scoliosis is a defect where the spine curves abnormally on either side, causing twisting of the vertebrae. Abnormalities can be functional, neuromuscular, or degenerative.

Symptoms

• Backache or low-back pain
• Fatigue
• Shoulders or hips appear uneven
• Spine curves to the left or right

Treatment

• Bracing
• Surgery
• Physical therapy

Spinal Tumors are abnormal growths of tissue in the spine. Tumors can cause pain due to the expansion or weakening of the bones of the spine.

Symptoms

• Back pain, radiating to other parts of the body
• Numbness or muscle weakness, especially in the legs
• Difficulty walking
• Limited sensitivity to pain, heat and cold
• Loss of bowel or bladder function
• Paralysis depending on which nerves are compressed
• Spinal deformity resulting from a large, but noncancerous tumor

Treatment

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Radiation or chemotherapy if the tumor is cancerous

A bone spur (osteophyte) is an abnormal bone growth that forms on existing natural bone. Bone spurs create pain by rubbing on other bones or soft tissues (including ligaments, tendons, and nerves).

Symptoms

• Swelling
• Pain at the site of the spur
• Tenderness

Treatment

• Exercise to remove pressure on joints
• Stretching
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Steroid injection
• Surgery

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where a vertebra (bony segment that composes the spine) in the lumber spine (lower back) slips forward over the vertebra below it. This condition can vary in severity from no symptoms to severe presentation of symptoms.

Symptoms

• Lordosis (sway in the curvature of the back)
• Lower back pain
• Muscle tightness
• Pain radiating through the leg
• Stiffness
• Tenderness in the area of the affected vertebrae

Treatment

• Bracing
• Painkillers
• Stretching exercises
• Surgery

Lumbosacral Spondylosis occurs when the lumbar vertebrae become fused with the sacram in the spine. It is commonly found in athletes over the age of 50. The pain is noticeable when athletes bend their spine repeatedly, or lift objects.

Symptoms

• Stiff back in the morning
• Low back pain

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
• Heat and electric stimulation
• Surgery to remove damaged discs or fuse part of the spine

Cervical Radiculopathy occurs due to damage sustained by the root of the spinal nerves in the neck. These nerve root injuries are commonly referred to as "pinched nerves" and cause pain and numbness in the neck that radiates down the shoulder and into the arm.

Symptoms

• Sharp pain or a pins and needles sensation
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness

Treatment

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Pain Medication
• Steroid injections

Lumbar Radiculopathy, commonly known as sciatica, is pain in the lower extremities that radiates from the lumbar spine (lower back). Pain is caused by compression at the roots of the spinal nerves, and generally causes discomfort in the lower back, hips, thighs, and travels down the legs. Compression most often occurs when the jelly-like substance in the intravertebral discs puts pressure on the nerves either by bulging out or by leaking out through a tear in the disc membrane.

Symptoms

• Pain radiating through the lower extremities
• A "popping sound" when moving the lower back
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Difficulty moving the lower extremities

Treatment

• Pain Medication
• Cortisone injections
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medication

Degeneration of the soft, jelly-like intravertebral discs is a natural process that occurs over time, however in some cases this degeneration causes pain when the disc begins to exert pressure on the spinal nerves. Inflammation and instability that generate muscle spasms are the most common cause of pressure on the nerves. This condition can occur in the cervical spine (neck) or the lumbar spine (back).

Symptoms

• Pain made worse when sitting
• Increased pain when bending, lifting, or twisting
• Relief when walking or moving
• Tingling
• Numbness

Treatment

• Rest
• Light exercise
• Painkillers
• Surgery

Fractures are cracks or breaks in the bones of the neck or back. Often these injuries occur due to direct outside force that puts too much pressure on the bone. These conditions can be serious due to their proximity to the nerves contained in the spinal column. It is important that a specialist in trauma to the spine evaluates these injuries.

Symptoms

• Pain in the neck or back
• A tense feeling in the muscles surrounding the injured area
• A visible deformity
• Numbness in the extremities

Treatment

• Bracing
• Surgery

Spondylosis is degenerative arthritis of the joints between vertebrae, the bony segments that make up the spinal column. This condition can cause pressure on the nerves in the spine causing pain and weakness that can restrict movement. The tissues between the vertebrae are subject to wear and tear as the bones begin to rub together.

Symptoms

• Pain in the neck or back
• A tense feeling in the muscles surrounding the injured area
• A visible deformity
• Numbness in the extremities

Treatment

• Bracing
• Surgery