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Conditions We Diagnose And Treat:
LOW BACK INJURIES AND CONDITIONS
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Orthopedic and Neurological Considerations: Low back pain is the most common condition in orthopedic practice. The lumbar vertebrae (the individual units of the spine) carry the weight of the torso and the head, accounting for about 50 percent of body weight. Due to weight bearing and mobility the low back is extremely susceptible to injury and dysfunction. ______________________________________________
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Etiology:
Almost everything we do effects the low back. This includes weight bearing exercises, standing, walking, even sitting. The complex movements of our daily living, our work, sports, especially gymnastics and high impact aerobics, jogging and running, all may damage the spine. Dance, especially ballet, due to jumps and lifts are also important source of injuries. The most common cause of low back injuries is trauma from motor vehicle accidents and falls from a height.
Pathology:
These injuries may result in fractures of the vertebrae, spinal cord compression and complete severance resulting in paralysis. Others cause soft tissue strain or tear, disc rupture, misalignment of the spine, with structural deformities, resulting in nerve damage, sensory and movement dysfunction, chronic pain and sometimes permanent disabilities.
Symptoms and signs of low back injuries include: pain, impairment of sensation in the lower extremity, muscle weakness including partial or full paralysis and in milder cases, difficulty with standing and walking. Pain is either local or radiates to the lower extremity.
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The Danger of Permanent Disability:
Injury may traumatize the vertebrae and the discs of the low back. In addition to the aforementioned, trauma results in muscle imbalance, abnormal weight distribution and accelerated, so-called traumatic arthritis. Traumatic arthritis causes deformity, stiffness, misalignment, chronic pain and loss of function. To prevent disability, it is critical to receive early diagnosis and treatment, usually physical therapy.
Low Back Injuries and Conditions in Orthopedic Practice:
· Lower Back Pain
· Spinal Fracture
· Lumbar strain or sprain
· Muscle spasm and strain
· Disc Herniation (rupture)
· Disc Protrusion (bulging disc)
· Spinal Canal Stenosis, (Cauda Equina Syndrome)
· Radiculopathy (Spinal nerve root compression)
· Sciatica, Pyriformis Syndrome (Pinched nerve)
· Facet Joint Arthritis, (Osteophytes, Kissing Vertebra)
· Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
· Spondylarthrosis Ankylopoetica
· Spondylolysis, Spondylolisthesis
· Scheuerman's Disease
· Guillain-Barre syndrome, Brown-Sequard Syndrome
· Spinal Deformities
· Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Lordosis
Diagnostic Considerations:
Before treatment options are contemplated, a thorough differential diagnostic evaluation and assessment is necessary. As part of the diagnostic work up we may obtain x-ray studies, MRI scan, EMG, (electromyography) NCVS, (nerve conduction velocity studies) or diagnostic ultrasound.
Conservative Treatment or Surgery
Most lower back problems respond positively to conservative, non-operative treatment. After the diagnosis is established, an individualized treatment plan is designed to maximize healing. Patients may receive physical therapy in our state-of-the-art physical therapy facility. The facility is outfitted with the best equipment that today physical rehabilitation can offer._________________________________________________________________________________
Remember! Early diagnosis may prevent chronic pain, surgery and permanent disability.
To schedule an appointment, call 212-758-4688
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