Conditions & Treatments
Understanding your spinal condition is the first step toward recovery. Explore the common injuries we treat and the options available to you.
Herniated Disc
The soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through the tougher outer layer, irritating or compressing nearby nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
Symptoms
- Sharp or burning pain in the back, neck, arm, or leg
- Numbness or tingling along a nerve path
- Muscle weakness in the arm or leg
- Pain that worsens with certain movements
Causes
- Heavy lifting or twisting at work
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Repetitive bending or twisting
- Sudden falls or impacts
Treatments
- Physical therapy & anti-inflammatories
- Epidural steroid injections
- Microdiscectomy (minimally invasive)
- Lumbar or cervical discectomy
Spinal Stenosis
A narrowing of the spaces within the spine that puts pressure on the nerves â most common in the lower back and neck, and often accelerated by workplace trauma.
Symptoms
- Pain, cramping, or numbness in the legs or arms
- Weakness in the extremities
- Balance or walking difficulties
- Symptoms worsened by standing or walking
Causes
- Pre-existing degeneration worsened by injury
- Repetitive occupational strain
- Acute workplace trauma
- Age-related wear accelerated by injury
Treatments
- Physical therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
- Laminectomy (decompression)
- Spinal fusion for instability
Radiculopathy
Pain, weakness, or numbness that radiates along the path of a nerve from the spine â cervical (neck/arms) or lumbar (lower back/legs, i.e. sciatica).
Symptoms
- Shooting pain down the arm or leg
- Burning or electric-shock sensation
- Numbness and tingling in extremities
- Loss of reflexes or grip strength
Causes
- Disc herniation compressing a nerve root
- Bone spurs from osteoarthritis
- Work-related lifting or bending
- Vehicle accident trauma
Treatments
- Anti-inflammatory medications & rest
- Physical therapy
- Nerve block injections
- Surgery if conservative care fails
Compression Fracture
One of the bones in the spine collapses â commonly from high-impact trauma such as falls or vehicle accidents, frequent in WC and TPL cases.
Symptoms
- Sudden, severe back pain after injury
- Pain worsened by standing or walking
- Loss of height or stooped posture
- Neurological symptoms if the cord is involved
Causes
- Falls from height (occupational)
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Heavy object impact
- Trauma to the spine
Treatments
- Bracing & activity modification
- Pain management
- Kyphoplasty / vertebroplasty
- Spinal fusion for unstable fractures
Cervical Disc Disease
Degeneration or damage to the discs in the neck â frequently caused or aggravated by whiplash from auto accidents and repetitive occupational strain.
Symptoms
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches originating from the neck
- Pain radiating into shoulders or arms
- Weakness or clumsiness in the hands
Causes
- Whiplash from motor vehicle accidents
- Repetitive neck strain (occupational)
- Heavy lifting with neck extension
- Acute trauma
Treatments
- Physical therapy & cervical collar
- Cervical epidural injections
- ACDF (discectomy & fusion)
- Cervical disc replacement
Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
Breakdown of one or more discs in the lower spine. While some degeneration is age-related, workplace injuries can dramatically accelerate it.
Symptoms
- Low back pain radiating to hips or buttocks
- Pain worsened by sitting, bending, or lifting
- Intermittent severe back pain
- Stiffness after rest
Causes
- Cumulative occupational loading
- Acute injury on degeneration
- Heavy lifting & repetitive bending
- Vibration exposure (drivers, operators)
Treatments
- Physical therapy & core strengthening
- Lumbar injections
- Minimally invasive discectomy
- Lumbar fusion (TLIF/PLIF)
Spondylolisthesis
One vertebra slips forward over the one below it. Traumatic spondylolisthesis from a work injury or accident can cause significant instability and nerve compression.
Symptoms
- Lower back pain and stiffness
- Tight hamstrings
- Pain radiating into buttocks or thighs
- Gait abnormalities in severe cases
Causes
- Acute traumatic injury
- Repetitive hyperextension (labor)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pre-existing condition worsened by injury
Treatments
- Physical therapy & bracing
- Pain management injections
- Spinal fusion for unstable cases
Spinal Cord Injury
Among the most severe outcomes of workplace accidents and vehicle collisions. Our neurosurgeons manage acute spinal cord trauma and its long-term consequences.
Symptoms
- Partial or complete loss of movement below the injury
- Loss of sensation
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction
- Muscle spasms or exaggerated reflexes
Causes
- Falls from height (occupational)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Heavy object impacts
- Diving accidents
Treatments
- Emergency decompression & stabilization
- Long-term rehabilitation coordination
- Pain & spasticity management
- Multidisciplinary care
Patient Education Videos
3D animated explanations of conditions and procedures, available in multiple languages. Powered by ViewMedica.
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