Spinal surgeries are one of the most common types of orthopedic surgeries today. There are an immense amount of surgeries, treatments, and procedures available to treat the most popular spine conditions. But, as every person is unique, so is their treatment plan. Get familiar with the most popular spine conditions and treatments and contact us for more information about how the California Neurosurgical & Orthopedic Institute can alleviate your pain.
Herniated Disc:
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc protrudes through the tougher outer layer, potentially putting pressure on nearby nerves. Accordingly, treatment options include rest, physical therapy, pain management, and in severe cases, surgery to remove or repair the affected disc.
How common are herniated discs?
Herniated discs occur in about 5 to 20 cases per 1000 adults every year. People ages 30 to 50 most commonly experience herniated discs, with a males twice as likely as females to suffer from this spine condition
Spinal Stenosis:
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can lead to compression of the spinal cord and nerves. Conservative treatments include physical therapy, pain medication, and epidural injections. Comparatively, surgical decompression may be necessary for more severe cases.
How common is Spinal Stenosis?
Research indicated that 1/1000 people over 65 years of age, and about 5/1000 people over the age of 50 years are likely to get spinal stenosis. Additionally ,patients over the age of 50 years of age likely develop spinal stenosis due to degenerative causes, while younger patients usually develop is from congenital malformations.
Degenerative Disc Disease:
This condition involves the gradual deterioration of the spinal discs over time, leading to pain and limited mobility. Treatment often includes physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications. In especially severe cases, you doctor may have you consider spinal fusion surgery.
How common is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Researchers found that 266 million individuals (3.63%) worldwide have degenerative spine disease and low back pain each year.
Scoliosis:
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. Treatment options depend on the severity and may include observation, bracing in some cases, or corrective surgery for more severe curves.
How common is Scoliosis?
Two to three percent of the population have scoliosis, equaling an estimated six to nine million people in the United States. Additionally, the primary age of onset is 10-15 years of age.
Spinal Fractures:
Fractures in the vertebrae can result from trauma or conditions like osteoporosis. Treatment may include rest, bracing, pain management, or surgery, depending on the extent and stability of the fracture.
How common are spinal fractures?
Spinal fractures are also known as vertebral compression fractures. There are about 1.5 million incidents of vertebral compression fractures every year in the US. The elderly are more likely to experience spinal fractures, and 25% of postmenopausal women develop a compression fracture during their lifetime.
Sciatica:
Patients with sciatica suffer from pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back down the legs. Correspondingly, treatment usually involves pain management, physical therapy, and addressing the underlying cause.
How common is Sciatica?
Sciatica, which becomes more likely to develop as you age, affects up to 40% of people at some point during their lifetime.
Spondylolisthesis:
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, potentially causing nerve compression. Treatment may involve physical therapy, pain management, and, in specifically severe cases, surgical stabilization.
How common is Spondylolisthesis?
There are six kinds of spondylolisthesis, traumatic, iatrogenic, congenital, degenerative, pathologic, and isthmic. Degenerative spondylolisthesis mostly affects adults.
Females have an increased risk of developing spondylolisthesis compared to males, and obesity increases the likelihood, as well.
Males have a higher prevalence of isthmic spondylolisthesis while females more commonly develop dysplastic spondylolisthesis. Dysplastic spondylolisthesis is also more common in children. About six to seven percent of individuals develop isthmic spondylolisthesis by 18 years of age with up to 18% of adult patients undergoing MRI of the lumbar spine.
Spinal Tumors:
Tumors that develop in or near the spine can lead to pain and neurological deficits. Treatment may involve surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
How common are Spinal Tumors?
The risk that someone develops a malignant brain or spinal cord tumor during their life is less than 1%. Women are slightly more likely to develop any type of brain or spinal cord tumor than men, while men are slightly more likely to develop a malignant tumor, specifically.
Spinal Infections:
Infections in the spine, such as discitis or vertebral osteomyelitis, require appropriate antibiotic treatment and, in some cases, surgical intervention. They can occur in different locations including “the vertebral column, intervertebral disc space, the spinal canal and adjacent soft tissues.”
How common are Spinal Infections?
The most common type of vertebral infection is vertebral osteomyelitis, which affects between 26,170 and 65,400 people annually. Specifically, conditions that compromise your immune system increase your risk, including: “advanced age, intravenous drug use, HIV, Long-term systemic usage of steroids, diabetes mellitus, organ transplantation, malnutrition, and cancers.”
Radiculopathy:
Radiculopathy is a condition the irritation or compression of a nerve root in the spine causes pain, weakness, and numbness in the corresponding area. Treatment focuses on pain management and addressing the underlying cause. Additionally, radiculopathy is the “leading cause of disability in the developing world.”
How common is Radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy, or low back pain, is the estimated to affect between 5% and 30% of the population. There is a 60% to 90% likelihood that someone will develop it during their lifetime.
Watermark Medical Partners has extensive resources and experience in treating a variety of spine condition. If you or someone you love is experiencing pain or discomfort from spine conditions, contact us today to begin the healing journey.
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