This week we have another awesome guest post to share, 8 of the Most Prevalent Spine Issues, by Dr. Mohamed M. Abdulhamid.  Thank you for providing this great article for us!!  We really enjoyed the article and appreciate the time you took for us!!

The spine is centrally located and connected to all other parts of the body. Because of this, any issue with the spine can affect a wide range of bodily functions, at different levels.

It’s easy to assume that back problems only affect older people, but it’s actually quite the opposite. In fact, 30 million Americans of all ages suffer from back pain every year, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country. Back pain can affect anyone anytime. It is one of the leading causes of disability around the world and is often the reason why people call in sick to work.

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8 OF THE MOST PREVALENT SPINE ISSUES

Common Spine Conditions

There are several possible reasons for back pain, but it could be because there is something wrong with your spine. If you’ve been experiencing back pains, it’s important to be aware of these prevalent spine issues:

Herniated Disc

Your spine is made up of bones collectively called the vertebrae, and between each bone are discs that act as cushion.

When a disc is herniated, they shift and protrude out of their casing. Herniated discs are usually at an early stage of degradation and often interfere with the nerves in the spine. They commonly affect the lower back, but can occur anywhere along the vertebrae.

People with herniated discs can experience back pain, numbness and tingling sensations along the spine, pain in the arms and legs, and muscle weakness. However, some patients report no symptoms at all. If you notice any of the following symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Muscle Strain

The lumbar muscles supporting your spine can become stretched, strained, and torn due to bad posture, stress and overuse. When this happens, you may experience pain and tightness on your neck and back.

Muscle strain can cause major discomfort and even debilitating pain. The good news is that you can avoid it by strengthening your back muscles through regular exercise and a healthy diet. Also, don’t forget to stretch and warm up before engaging in strenuous activities.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common neck injury caused by the sudden movement of jerking of the head. This injury, however, does not only affect the neck muscles; it can also strain and damage the ligaments and intervertebral discs in the neck.

The majority of people won’t feel any symptoms right after a whiplash, but they may experience neck pain, headaches, dizziness, lower back pain, and have trouble focusing within 24 hours of the incident.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with the pain and discomfort of a whiplash. Depending on the severity, you may also treat the injury with heating pads, massage, and physical therapy.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and travels the entire length of the leg. Sciatica is a nerve damage in the lower back that leads to pain, numbness, and even paralysis of the leg. Potential causes of sciatica include nerve compression, a herniated disc, or a bone spur.

Pain from sciatica can be managed with a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic care, and steroid injections. Doctors may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and pain medication to alleviate the discomfort.

Compression Fracture

The vertebrae can develop fissures and hairline fractures as a result of age-related bone deterioration. When there are already too many of these cracks in your spine, you could develop a condition called compression fracture or a collapsed vertebra.

Compression fractures are commonly caused by osteoporosis, but smokers, women, underweight individuals, and people with bone cancer are also at risk of developing this condition. These fractures can be extremely painful, but medication and physical therapy prove to be effective in managing the pain.

Osteoarthritis

Arthritis – the inflammation of the joints – is commonly believed to only affect the joints of the hand and feet. But the truth is that this condition can manifest in any area of the body, including the spine.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by a degeneration of the cartilage and joints in the spine, which results in inflammation and pain. It may lead to nerve damage and spinal stenosis. In which case, you will need to undergo spinal stenosis treatments.

Spinal Myelopathy

The spine and its components degenerate and weaken with age. Spinal myelopathy occurs when these degenerative changes cause harm or damage to your spine.

Pain, tingling sensations, numbness of the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and loss of balance are all common symptoms of spinal myelopathy. Surgery is often required to keep the condition and its symptoms from getting worse.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis occurs when bones become weak and brittle due to reduced bone mass. It is one of the leading causes of spine issues in older adults. People with osteoporosis typically suffer from back pain and have a hunched posture, which are possible results of a collapsed vertebrae and weakened spine.

The thing is; you hardly notice changes in your bones until they’ve reached a serious state of osteoporosis. That being said, the older you get; the more you should pay attention to your bone health. Improving your muscle strength through exercise and consuming foods rich in calcium and vitamin D can prevent the likelihood of this happening.

When to Call a Doctor

Persistent back pain is something you should not ignore. It can be a sign of a serious health issue that could leave you incapacitated for days, weeks, months, or even years.

There are cases where spine issues do not manifest symptoms. However, if you experience frequent back pains or feel something wrong, seek professional medical attention as soon as possible.

About the author

Dr. Mohamed M. Abdulhamid is a neurosurgeon and the Founding Director and CEO of Royal Spine Surgery in Phoenix, Arizona. He is certified in total cervical disc replacement, or artificial disc replacement, in minimally invasive Coflex® procedure, in minimally invasive discectomy and in intraoperative navigation and image-guided surgery. In addition to traveling for work, Dr. Abdulhamid enjoys traveling with his family. He also enjoys photography and he uses his camera to capture the beautiful landscape surrounding him locally and while traveling.

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