January 19th, 2017
Spine Series - Blog 1: Could I Have a Spine Condition? Here’s How You Know...
Could I have a spinal condition? It’s a scary question to ask, but an important one to get answered. This article is a great place to start your research.
Do you frequently find yourself uncomfortable and distracted by back or neck pain? Has your ability to work or participate in the activities you enjoy been diminished by what you think might be an underlying spine problem?
Back pain can be debilitating. Ask anyone who has ever struggled with this issue and they’ll agree emphatically. In this critical, central area of the body, the presence of pain simply can’t be ignored. It impacts other parts of the body and every single movement. And when back pain begins to impact their everyday quality of life, patients start to ask, “could I have a spine condition?”
Our advice to you: Don’t make assumptions or rush to conclusions. Back pain can be present without the existence of any damage or injury to the spine itself. There are many potential reasons you may be experiencing pain, so before you blame your spine, let’s back up and get all the info.
Let’s Talk About Back Pain
The most common complaints we hear involve cases of what is reported as “neck pain” or “lower back pain.” In fact, around 80% of all adults will suffer from one of these two ailments at some point in their lifetime.
Back pain is:
The leading cause of disability in men over 45
The second most common reason for visits to a primary care physician
The third most frequent reason for surgical procedures
Back pain varies across the board. For some, it comes on slowly, while others complain of a sudden onset or a “throwing out” of their back. Once it presents itself, the pain may be intermittent or constant. It may feel like a sharp stabbing pain or like a low, dull, ache.
The good news is that in most instances, back pain actually resolves itself in just a matter of weeks - and often without any treatment at all. In some cases, conservative, nonsurgical treatments are used to relieve pain. But for the most part, surgery is not required.
Could I Have a Spine Condition?
Depending on the underlying condition causing your neck or lower back pain, a variety of other associated symptoms may present themselves. If the issue originates in the spine, symptoms may include:
Pain that extends into the buttocks and legs
Numbness and tingling (in the hands and feet)
Pain that is worse when bending
Trouble with finger coordination
Weakness or balance problems
In order to answer the question, “Could I have a spine condition?” we encourage you to set up an appointment with a qualified spine physician to be evaluated.
When pain inhibits your ability to turn, bend, stretch or perform other everyday movements, it is time to see a spine specialist to identify the root cause of your pain and to discuss possible treatment options.
Answering the Question on Your Mind
When you see a spine physician, they will perform a thorough physical examination and review your entire medical history, asking you many questions about the nature of your symptoms. In many cases, this initial evaluation may be enough to diagnose the issue, but if your doctor needs more information in order to answer the question, “Could I have a spine condition?” then they will order one or more of the following tests.
X-ray or CAT scan: An x-ray will show some of the most obvious causes of back pain, such as broken bones and deformities in the spinal curve. For a more detailed look at potential bone problems, a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan may be requested. This serves as a sort of 3D x-ray.
MRI: In order to look at possible issues related to muscles, nerves and discs, a magnetic resonance imaging test may be used.
Bone Scan: If your physician suspects (or wants to rule out) a more rare condition, such as cancer or infection, they will evaluate you with a bone scan.
Bone Density Test: Osteoarthritis (especially common in the elderly) is one of the most frequently observed causes of spinal fractures. A bone density test will reveal whether your spine has succumbed to the onset of this condition.
Possible Spine Conditions
If you suspect that a spinal condition is causing your back or neck pain, it may be time to research some specific conditions to find out if your symptoms match up. Below are a list of some of the most common spine problems that bring patients in to see orthopaedic specialists:
Herniated Cervical Disc
Herniated Lumbar Disc
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spondylosis
Spinal Tumors
Sciatica
Spinal Infections
Spinal Osteoarthritis (Spondylosis)
Spinal Stenosis
Scoliosis and Spinal Deformities
Whiplash
As we recommended at the beginning of this article, it’s best not to make an assumption that your back pain is the result of a spine condition. Instead, make an appointment with a qualified spine specialist to get your questions answered. Visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.
Take some time to check out the rest of the resources available for you in our spine blog series:
Spine Series - Blog 1: Could I Have a Spine Condition? Here’s How You Know...
How Do I Know if I Have a Spine Condition?
Should I See a Spine Physician?
Spine Series - Blog 2: Have You Tried These Treatments for Spine Conditions?
Spine Series - Blog 3: Answering the Big Question: Do I Need Spinal Surgery?
