Spine

Spine, Neck, and Back Overview

The spine, neck, and back are intricately connected structures that support movement, balance, and strength throughout the body. When any part of this system is affected—whether by injury, degenerative conditions, or deformities—it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (GSOS), we provide comprehensive care to diagnose, manage, and treat conditions affecting the spine, neck, and back. With our team’s expertise, which includes board certification, fellowship training, and years of experience, patients can trust that they are receiving the highest standard of care.

Common Spine, Neck, and Back Conditions

The spine, neck, and back can be affected by a range of conditions, from mild strain to complex deformities. Common conditions we treat at GSOS include:

  • Arthritis: Spinal and cervical arthritis (in the neck) can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility due to inflammation and degeneration of the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common types affecting these regions.
  • Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolysis is a small stress fracture in the vertebra, commonly found in the lower back. When this condition progresses and causes one vertebra to slip over another, it results in spondylolisthesis, which can lead to nerve compression and significant pain.
  • Herniated Disc: A disc in the spine or neck can rupture, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain, tingling, or numbness. Symptoms depend on the location of the herniated disc, affecting the arms if in the neck (cervical spine) or legs if in the lower back (lumbar spine).
  • Scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine, scoliosis can cause posture issues, back pain, and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties due to spine distortion.
  • Kyphosis and Lordosis: These abnormal curvatures in the spine affect posture—kyphosis (hunchback) affects the upper back, while lordosis (swayback) affects the lower spine.
  • Sciatica: Caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, often from disc herniation or spinal stenosis, sciatica results in pain radiating from the lower back through the legs.
  • Spinal and Cervical Stenosis: This narrowing of the spinal canal occurs in the neck (cervical stenosis), thoracic, or lumbar spine. When it compresses the spinal cord or nerves, it can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and balance issues.
  • Cervical Myelopathy: When the spinal cord in the neck is compressed, it can lead to coordination issues, neck pain, and symptoms such as hand weakness or loss of dexterity.
  • Compression Fractures: Often related to osteoporosis, these fractures cause the vertebrae to collapse, leading to pain, height loss, and a hunchback appearance.
  • Radiculopathy: Often due to cervical spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, these conditions cause nerve pain (radiculopathy) and neck discomfort.
  • Spine Trauma and Fractures: Injuries from accidents or sports may result in fractures, dislocations, or ligament tears, requiring precise diagnosis and possibly surgical intervention.
  • Spine and Neck Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can grow within the spinal column or around it, causing symptoms by pressing on nerves or weakening bones.

At GSOS, our approach to spine, neck, and back care prioritizes non-surgical options whenever possible. Many conditions improve with conservative treatments, which are customized based on each patient’s unique needs and goals.

  • Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for spine and neck conditions. Therapists design exercises that improve core and neck strength, enhance flexibility, and correct posture, often reducing pain and preventing re-injury.
  • Medications: NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) reduce inflammation, while muscle relaxants help with spasms. For nerve-related pain, medications like gabapentin may be prescribed. In cases of severe inflammation, short courses of corticosteroids may be recommended.
  • Spinal and Cervical Injections: Corticosteroid injections are delivered near the affected nerve roots to decrease inflammation and alleviate pain. Epidural injections and nerve blocks are particularly helpful for conditions like sciatica and cervical radiculopathy.
  • Alternative Therapies: Options such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy can complement other treatments, addressing muscle tension, alignment, and overall wellness. These therapies are particularly useful for chronic pain management.
  • Lifestyle and Ergonomics Counseling: Simple adjustments in lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, and using ergonomic furniture, can make a significant difference in managing neck, back, and spine pain.
  • Exercise and Core Strengthening: A strong core provides support to the spine and neck, reducing strain on these structures. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as swimming or walking, are also encouraged to maintain overall health without overloading the spine.

When non-surgical treatments aren’t sufficient, GSOS’s spine surgeons are skilled in performing minimally invasive and traditional surgeries to alleviate pain and restore function. These procedures are designed to reduce recovery times and minimize trauma to surrounding tissues.

  • Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: These procedures remove part of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve. Microdiscectomy uses smaller incisions and special instruments to reduce tissue damage.
  • Spinal Fusion: Spinal fusion is a surgery that fuses two or more vertebrae to eliminate painful motion or restore stability to the spine. This surgery takes several hours. These procedures can be done from the front or back part of the spine. In principle, bone graft is used to make a bridge between the vertebrae, which will allow new bone to grow. Screws and rods or plates hold the segment in place until the fusion heals. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are common fusion procedures in our practice.
  • Laminectomy: In this procedure, the lamina (part of the vertebra) is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often used for spinal stenosis.
  • Cervical Fusion and Artificial Disc Replacement: For neck conditions, cervical fusion stabilizes the spine by fusing vertebrae. Alternatively, artificial disc replacement maintains some motion, offering relief for certain patients with cervical disc disease.
  • Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: These minimally invasive procedures stabilize compression fractures in the spine by injecting bone cement, providing immediate pain relief and preventing further collapse.
  • Scoliosis Treatment, Adult & Pediatric: At times spinal surgery is needed for severe or rapidly worsening scoliosis. Surgery for scoliosis includes inserting two metal rods with screws and hooks to hold the spine in place until the bone heals together. Our center specializes in these complex procedures. A multidisciplinary approach is taken to the deformities. Patient optimization and pre-operative detailed planning are key to a successful outcome.
  • XLIF (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion): A specialized lumbar fusion approach, XLIF accesses the spine from the side, minimizing muscle disruption and reducing recovery time.
  • Spinal Tumor Resection: Removing tumors from the spine requires specialized techniques to preserve nerve function while alleviating symptoms. Depending on the tumor’s nature, resection may be combined with radiation or other therapies.
  • Cervical Laminoplasty: A laminoplasty is a spinal canal expansive procedure which retains the outer covering of the spinal canal. This elegant procedure is performed most commonly for multiple level cervical stenosis in the neck.
  • Laminotomy: A laminotomy removes a portion of the spine bone that covers the spinal canal. This removes less bone than a laminectomy but also decompresses the neural elements to relieve pressure.
  • Foraminotomy: A foraminotomy removes the bone or tissue in the neuroforamen, or the passageway, where the nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and exit the spinal column.

Risks of Surgery

As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with spinal surgeries. Prior to surgery, a Golden State Orthopedics & Spine surgeon will go over the specific risks related to your surgery.

Possible risks of spinal surgery include infection, complications from anesthesia, nerve damage, bleeding, and stiffness.

Comprehensive Spine, Neck, and Back Care Center

Our Spine Center at GSOS takes a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to spine, neck, and back health. Equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, we provide thorough evaluations that may include imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), neurological exams, and lab tests to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of each patient’s symptoms. This level of detailed assessment allows us to create personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals.

GSOS’s philosophy is rooted in conservative care, emphasizing minimally invasive techniques and lifestyle modifications first. However, when surgery is necessary, our patients benefit from our surgeons’ specialized training, skill, and experience. Our team continually stays at the forefront of advancements in spinal care, implementing the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the best outcomes.

Patient Education and Support

We understand that spine and neck conditions can be overwhelming, both physically and mentally. At GSOS, we prioritize patient education, ensuring that our patients fully understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery process. Our supportive staff is here to answer questions and guide patients through every step, from diagnosis to rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Golden State Orthopedics & Spine is dedicated to providing exceptional care for spine, neck, and back conditions. Through our comprehensive, multi-faceted approach, we aim to help each patient achieve relief, restore function, and return to their daily activities. Whether through conservative management or advanced surgical procedures, our team is committed to supporting our patients’ health and well-being.