Is your neck or back pain getting worse? We know that the thought of spine surgery can be a scary notion. That is why Spine Center of Texas provides a minimally invasive alternative to traditional orthopedic surgery.
We have provide an easy symptom checker you can use as a guide to help you understand the cause of your neck or back pain:
- Chronic neck pain with difficulty turning the neck
This type of pain can affect anyone’s daily life. Pain and tingling may also occur in the lower back, spreading into the upper legs. A person may find it hard to twist, bend, reach, or lift. This type of pain is often associated with degenerative disc disease. This condition is caused by normal changes in the spine due associated with aging. A minimally invasive laser spine treatment called endoscopic discectomy may be prescribed if medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes fail to bring relief.
- Leg pain extending down the back of the leg
Do you feel a pain in the lower back and legs? You may notice that the pain travels from the butt area down to the back of the leg. People experiencing this type of pain find it hard to stand and typically feel better when they lie down or walk. If you are experiencing this type of pain, you could have sciatica. This severe condition results from a herniated disc or a damaged disc’s pressure on the sciatic nerve. Endoscopic discectomy may also be prescribed to treat sciatica.
Severe lower back pain
This type of pain can get worse over time, especially you are standing for long periods. Some people feel relief if they bend forward. Some may also feel tightness in the butt and upper leg that just won’t go away. If you are experiencing this type of pain, you may have spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which results in a severe, burning pain. Aging is considered the main culprit of this condition, but genetics and poor posture can also contribute to a person’s chances of developing it. Medication or physical therapy is always advised first. If both approaches fail, surgery may be considered.
- Radiating pain in the neck, limbs, and back with decreased mobility
Do you feel a dull, localized pain that radiates outward or down the back? Do you experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness? You may have slipped disc. A slipped disc occurs when a vertebra slips out of the position and moves onto the bone below it. This creates pressure on the spinal cord nerves. Decompressive laminectomy or spinal fusion may be prescribed depending on the severity of the condition.
