Conditions of the Spine

Using our advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques, we can perform a number of different procedures to treat a variety of back pain causing conditions.

The first step to relieving your pain is the correct diagnosis. We use MRI findings as well as our own pain mapping techniques to make sure that you are correctly diagnosed for the condition you are suffering from.

Disc Herniation

One thing that all disc herniation's have in common, is that they all occur as a result of an annular tear. The annulus is like a retaining wall and an annular tear is a weak spot or defect in that portion of the “the wall” that is supposed to retain the central nuclear material.

Annular Tear

Annular tears refer to an injury to the disc that acts as a cushion between the vertebrae of the spine. Simply speaking, the disc is made of two parts, the soft center (nucleus) and the thick covering that wraps around (annulus) and contains the nucleus.

Facet Syndrome

Facet Syndrome is a situation that people who are a little older are going to get. It is a progressive disease that starts almost at zero and can account for 40% of low back pain complaints, certainly as we get into our 70s and 80s. The problem is a result of the facet joints.

Sciatica

Sciatic pain is often called sciatica and is a result of compression, irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It can also give rise to to back pain. Three things can happen when a nerve is compressed.

Foraminal Stenosis

Foraminal stenosis affects both men and women and is most common in older adults (50+); typically, the normal “wear-and-tear” effects of aging and arthritis of the spine cause it. (Degenerative changes of the spine are seen in up to 95% of people by the age of 50!)

What is a Pinched Nerve?

Pinching means to squeeze or compress and cause pain with enough pressure. When a nerve is compressed the result is often pain, but can also give rise to numbness and weakness.

Read more about each of the back pain conditions we treat below: