Degenerative Disease of the Spine
The Spine is a very complicated machine with many mobile working parts. It allows us to move, twist, bend, and support our weight. Our spine protects the spinal cord in its center from which all the nerves of our body come.
The Spine needs care to prevent early damage and degeneration. As we age we all experience some wear and tear on the spine which may cause pain, limitation in motion, numbness or weakness. Trauma and over exertion can also cause early damage leading to degeneration.
Damage to any one part of the spine may cause a very similar type pain as to another nearby part. This similarity in how you describe the pain confuses the diagnosis of your pain complaint. The Pain Doctor will help clarify the diagnosis.
Examples of common Pain diagnoses include Degenerative Disc Disease, Facet Joint Arthropathy, Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Spondylolisthesis, Discogenic Pain, Vertebral Compression Fractures, Spinal Stenosis, Nerve Root Compression, Myofascial Pain and Sympathetically Mediated Pain. You may have more than one of these.
Sometimes the diagnosis and the treatment is relatively straight forward. Conservative therapy may help to relieve your pain (Medication, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic care, and/or Trigger Point injections), but some patients continue with severe pain that requires the care of a Pain Specialist.
The Diagnosis is made based upon the type, location of pain, X-ray and MRI studies and on response to diagnostic and therapeutic injections to the exact site of suspected pain origin! Your doctor will recommend the most logical Diagnostic injections to find the source and relieve your pain. Then a Therapeutic treatment program is offered.
Therapy is usually a combination of Oral medication, Physical Therapy, and appropriately spaced Booster Pain Injections. In some cases advanced Pain Management Techniques or Surgery are indicated.
Remember degeneration of the spine is a chronic disease which will need care along the course of your life! You may wish to discuss risk and benefits with your pain doctor. Our pain doctors are highly trained and experienced to assure the greatest safety.
Your Pain Doctor and his staff will do their best for you !
