Devoting to Advancing Spine care and Improving the Quality of Life

                                                   Spine and Spine Disorders

This spinal column provides the main support for your body, allowing you to stand upright, bend, and twist, while protecting the spinal cord from injury. Strong muscles and bones, flexible tendons and ligaments, and sensitive nerves contribute to a healthy spine. Yet, any of these structures affected by strain, injury, or disease can cause pain.

Advanced Treatment for Spine Disorders

The spine consists of 26 bones called vertebrae, which protect and support the spinal cord and nerves. Several conditions and injuries can affect the spine, which can damage the vertebrae, cause pain, and limit mobility. 

Our neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, pain physicians, psychologists, and other specialists have extensive experience in treating even the most complex spinal conditions, giving our patients access to an array of expertise to help improve their pain and quality of life.

Types of Spine Disorders

Numerous conditions can affect the spine anywhere from the neck to the lower back. Some of the many spine disorders we treat are: 

Degenerative spine and disc conditions:

·         Arthritis

·         Degenerative disc disease

·         Herniated disc

·         Spinal stenosis

·         Spondylosis

·         Other spine conditions and disorders:

·         Ankylosing spondylitis

·         Back pain

·         Basilar invagination, basilar impression, and cranial settling

·         Chronic spine and back pain

·         Kyphosis

·         Neck pain

·         Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures

·         Scheuermann's kyphosis

·         Scoliosis

·         Spinal cord cancer

·         Spinal deformities

Causes of Spine Disorders

Spine disorders have a wide variety of causes depending on the particular condition. For some conditions, the causes are unknown. Common causes include:

·         Accidents or falls

·         Congenital disorders (present since birth)

·         Inflammation

·         Infection

·         Inherited disorders

·         Injuries ranging from minor to traumatic

·         Degenerative wear and tear that comes with aging

·         Risk Factors for Spine Disorders

·         Factors that can increase the risk of developing a spine disorder include:

·         Excess weight or obesity

·         Improper lifting techniques

·         Nutrition and lifestyle habits such as sedentary lifestyle, low calcium intake, or smoking

·         Other conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or thyroid disease

·         Overuse from exercise or occupational movement

·         Poor posture

·         Repetitive strenuous activities

Symptoms of Spine Disorders

Signs and symptoms depend on the specific spine disorder and often affect other parts of the body, depending on the area of the spine or spinal cord that is affected. Common symptoms include:

·         Abnormally rounded shoulders or back

·         Back or neck pain that can be sharp and stabbing, dull and aching, or burning

·         Bladder or bowel dysfunction

·         Nausea and/or vomiting

·         Pain radiating in the arms or legs

·         Stiffness or tightness

·         Uneven appearance, such as one shoulder or hip being higher than the other

·         Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs

·         Diagnosis of Spine Disorders

·         At UT Southwestern, our spine experts conduct a thorough evaluation, including:

·         Physical exam

·         Discussion of personal and family medical history

·         Discussion of symptoms and risk factors

·         Neurological exam, if a nerve injury or disorder is suspected

Treatment for Spine Disorders

Our spine specialists often use one or more treatments, depending on the specific condition or injury. Treatments we offer include:

·         Back bracing

·        Cancer treatment such as surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, and chemotherapy

·         Ice or heat therapy for injuries

·         Injections, such as corticosteroids or nerve blocks, for pain

·         Medications such as anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, or muscle relaxers

·         Rehabilitation using physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the back and abdominal muscles

·         Surgery to replace discs, fuse (connect) vertebrae, open the spinal canal, or repair nerves

For more details check out the website: https://physiotherapy.conferenceseries.com/

Contact: Christina Joseph

Email: physiotherapy@asiameetings.org