Category: Conditions

Degeneration of the spine and its structures occurs with normal aging. When the spinal disc ages or degenerates, it doesn’t functional role as part of the spine unit is not as efficient and effective as it used to be. This can lead to symptoms of neck or back pain with or without associated radiation into the extremities. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and epidural steroid injections to name a few. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

Refers to abnormal narrowing of the bony canal that houses the spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Can occur from birth or can be acquired as the body ages. At times asymptomatic but noticeable symptoms such as radiating extremity pain from the neck or lower back, weakness, numbness or tingling occur when there is significant narrowing. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and epidural steroid injections to name a few. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

A condition in which the annulus fibrosis/outer part of vertebral disc has a defect. This causes the nucleus/inner portion of disc to herniate or slip through the defect. The herniated material can compress or pinch the surrounding nerves. This can cause pain to radiate into the upper extremities if its from the neck/cervical spine or into the lower extremities if from the lower back/lumbar spine. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and epidural steroid injections to name a few. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

A chronic myofascial pain syndrome that causes generalized musculoskeletal pain in specific area of the body to become tender to the touch. Associated with but not limited to fatigue, sleep disturbances, joint stiffness, depression, and headaches. This form of pain is still being widely studied as it has no known or understood cause.

Strains or a “muscle pull” occur when the muscle is over-stretched or torn, resulting in damage to the muscle fibers. Ligaments are fibrous material that connects bones together. Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched too far or are torn. Repetitive stress to the body such as with sports can result in the above. A cascade of inflammation can occur resulting in pain in the affected area.

Sacroiliac joint is formed from the connection of sacrum with the pelvis on either side. Sources of pain or inflammation can result from degenerative joint changes, decreased or increased range of motion, injury, dysfunction of surrounding soft tissue structures. This can cause pain on either side of buttocks just below the lumbar spine. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with medication, therapy, and sacroiliac joint injection, sacroiliac nerve blocks, radio frequency ablation to name a few.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and it is caused by the wear/tear of the cartilage that surrounds the joint. This can cause the bones of the joint to rub together, depending on the severity of the degeneration. This in turn causes an inflammatory response and pain. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease.

The carpal tunnel located in the wrist. It is a structure that contains the median nerve and tendons that are associated with the tendons of the fingers and hand. When the carpal tunnel is too small or if there is inflammation of the structures, the median nerve becomes compressed which results in symptoms of numbness, tingling in the wrist, palm, and first 3 ½ digits. Symptoms are usually worse during the night or the morning. If severe weakness of the hand can occur as well as atrophy of musculature that the median nerve feeds. Nonsurgical treatments include but not limited to bracing/splinting, rest, ice, medication, and injections. Severe cases may require surgical carpal tunnel release.

The spine is a bony structure that starts from the base of the skull and ends at the tailbone. Consists of the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid-back), lumbar spine (lower back), tailbone (sacrum and coccyx). This bony structure is interconnected via joints, discs, ligaments, nerves, tendons, muscles, and vascular network that work together to provide support, flexibility, and strength. Any of the components of the spine and its surrounding structures are susceptible to injury and can become pain generators.

The piriformis muscle is located in the buttock region on each side. The sciatic nerve is in close proximity to the muscle. Piriformis syndrome is causes by irritation of the muscle which in turn leads to buttock pain. If the close by sciatic nerve is irritated as well, symptoms can include tingling, numbness sensations in the affected lower extremity in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms can be treated with non-surgically with supportive care, medication, therapy, piriformis injection, and botulinum toxin to name a few.