Category Archives: Spine Care

For years, spine surgeries were something for patients to seriously worry about.  In order to get the procedure done properly, doctors had to make a major incision in the patient’s back, opening up an area of about five to six inches. The muscles had to be pulled back to open access to the spine, causing a new kind of pain after the surgery. In other words, it was common for patients to find themselves entering with one back problem and leaving with another. (more…)

A condition called lumbar spinal stenosis causes chronic lower back pain and loss of mobility in older adults. More and more patients are turning to spinal fusion surgery as a means to treat this painful condition. But is spinal fusion surgery right for you? Before you decide to go through with this surgery, make sure you have all the facts. Talk to a spine care specialist in Jacksonville, FL, and ask the right questions. Keep reading to find out more about treating lumbar spinal stenosis with spinal fusion surgery.

What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. Over time, this narrowing of the spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This pressure causes lower back pain that may be accompanied by intermittent leg weakness, numbness, or leg pain.

What Is Spinal Fusion Surgery?

Spinal fusion surgery is the process of connecting two or more vertebrae in the spinal column using a bone graft. The bone graft fuses the vertebrae together to form one bone to prevent the joint from moving and potentially alleviate lower back pain.

Is Surgery the Only Option for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

No. If your legs and toes are functioning fine, and you only have intermittent back pain, spinal fusion surgery is not recommended. Physical therapy, exercise and a healthy diet will help to alleviate your back pain without surgery.

What Are the Risks of Spinal Fusion Surgery?

The risks of spinal fusion surgery include pain at the graft site, infection, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, blood clots and spinal fluid leakage. There is also a significant risk of eventual reoperation.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Spinal Fusion Surgery?

The ideal candidate for spinal fusion surgery is someone who only has two affected vertebrae. Patients rarely feel a loss of mobility with the fusion of two vertebrae. But if more than two vertebrae are affected and require a fusion, significant reduction in spinal mobility may result. The ideal candidate for spinal fusion surgery is also someone who is physically active, doesn’t smoke, isn’t obese. and leads a healthy lifestyle.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Spinal Fusion Surgery?

The recovery time from spinal fusion surgery can last three to six months. You will likely spend two days recovering in the hospital. Once home, care needs to be taken to allow the new bone graft to fuse the vertebrae together and heal. No heavy lifting is allowed during the first few weeks following surgery. Pain will begin to subside after about 4 weeks. At this time, you can start doing physical therapy exercises. After about three months of physical therapy, your doctor will let you know if you can resume your normal activities again.

Spinal fusion surgery has helped many people recover from chronic lower back pain and lead healthy, active lives. But spinal fusion surgery isn’t for everyone. If you would like more information, talk to spine care consultants in Jacksonville, FL, and they will be sure to answer your questions.

Back pain doesn’t necessarily require medical attention in all cases. Mild pain that doesn’t overly impair your movement or daily activities often goes away on its own. A bit of soreness should be relatively easy to treat with over-the-counter remedies. However, there are many instances when it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor.

Longevity or Consistency

Most lower back pain will subside in time, but that’s not always the case. If you’ve been treating your back pain for a week or more and it still isn’t going away, you should consult a doctor. Is your back pain consistently associated with certain movements or positions? Is it mostly when you lie down or sit in a certain way? There are a number of issues that can cause those symptoms and some are quite serious. Avoid straining yourself and be sure to see you doctor as soon as possible.

Spreading

Pain that spreads is never a good sign. Sore muscles or mild bruising are typically localized. The pain doesn’t usually drift from your back to your legs or arms. If you’re experiencing pain that spreads from one location to another, you need to be examined by a doctor. This could be indicative of nerve damage or other serious conditions. Spreading pain is commonly known as referred pain, and it may be a sign of ovarian cysts, gallstones, shingles, or a number of other medical issues.

Weakness, Numbness, or Tingling

Sudden, unexplained weakness in your limbs, back, or other areas should always be examined thoroughly. Tingling or numbness that’s unexpected or severe needs to be brought to the attention of your doctor. Numbness and tingling are frequently symptoms of nerve damage, but there are many reasons that they could occur. Your doctor needs to be consulted.

Weight Loss

Weight loss that occurs without warning or explanation should always be discussed with your doctor. That includes when weight loss is experienced alongside lower back pain. Schedule an appointment to speak with your doctor, and be sure to share any other symptoms or changes that you’ve noticed. The more information that your doctor has, the better.

Redness or Swelling

You’re probably familiar with redness or swelling being associated with bug bites, but that’s definitely not the only possible cause. Swelling or redness on your back needs to be monitored and reported. Let your doctor know if it spreads to other areas, and tell your doctor if there’s any associated soreness along with the back pain. You should also report any other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting.

Emergencies

It should go without saying that you need to speak with medical professionals whenever there’s an emergency. While 911 can respond quickly, it’s also a good idea to follow up with your physician. If you lower back pain occurs with fever, after an accident, or arises along with bladder control or bowel issues, you need to inform your doctor. Chiropractic spine care in Jacksonville, FL, can make a massive difference in your treatment and your quality of life.

Are you experiencing neck or back pain from a long day of sitting? Poor posture can have harmful effects on patient health. Understand more about the impact of poor posture when sitting and what to do about it today.

The Problem with Poor Posture from Sitting

It may not be obvious to patients that poor posture can have a negative impact on the body. Poor seated posture is a common issue among Americans. The head and shoulders slump, depressing the chest and reducing room in important internal cavities. Poor seated posture can result in:

• Back pain;
• Interference with digestion and constipation;
• Heartburn;
• Decrease in lung capacity;
• Migraine headaches and dental issues; and
• Changes in testosterone and cortisol hormone levels.

Over time, it can be harder to correct poor posture and patients may experience a loss of mobility when using certain joints.

Ways to Address Poor Posture

Patients may want to look into ways to prevent and correct poor posture when seated. Those that sit often may want to improve their ergonomics when sitting at a desk or table. This may help to keep the spine is proper alignment. Taking a break to walk or stretch every half hour may help reduce the pressure on the body and help patients return to a better seated posture. Ergonomic props, such as lumbar back supports, and the correct positioning of computer screens may help lessen the tendency toward poor seated posture.

Importance of Spine Care and Good Posture

Patients rely upon the spine for many important functions, making spine care and proper posture important for optimal health. Patients can learn more about proper posture, how to improve their spinal health and rehabilitate from spinal injuries from the 13 orthopedic specialists at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists in Northeast Florida.

The terms “slipped disc” and “herniated disc” are often used interchangeably. This leaves some patients feeling confused. Understanding these terms and what they mean can help you understand your spine and your spine health. If you’re suffering from either of these conditions, knowing how they can affect your spine health can also help you get the treatment you need to heal.

What are Spinal Discs?

The discs in your spine provide cushion between the vertebrae, helping your spine to maintain flexibility. Each disc is comprised of hard cartilage on the outside and a softer center on the inside.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc occurs when the outer edges of the disc begin to crack, causing the soft interior to bulge out. This herniation can cause the disc to protrude from the tough casing that surrounds the spine, leading to pain, numbness and tingling.

What does it mean if a spinal disc has slipped?

Technically, spinal discs can’t slip out of place. However, this term can be used to describe a herniated disc, and is sometimes used to describe a bulging disc.

What is a bulging disc?

As people age, spinal discs start to stiffen and bulge from the spinal column. A bulging disc is one that has flattened slightly, so that the edges of the disc protrude farther than it should. A bulging disc can be painful, but is typically not as painful as a herniated disc. Patients suffering from a bulging disc may also have trouble walking, experience a feeling of heaviness in the legs and may feel tingling.

What can you do if you’re suffering from a herniated or bulging disc?

If you’re suffering from either of these conditions, work with a spine specialist to get treatment. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, our orthopedic surgeons provide natural treatment to patients suffering from conditions like a slipped disc. To get started, contact your spine specialist today at (904) 634-0640.

If you have scoliosis, you’re probably searching for which treatment option is right for you. Should you opt for surgery? Or perhaps there’s an alternative to surgery you should consider?

What Are the Treatment Options for Scoliosis?

The treatment options available for your scoliosis will depend on the severity of the curve in your spine, as well as your age, health and physical condition. However, if your spine is skeletally mature and the curve is more than 45 degrees, generally, surgery is your only option.

Spinal fusion is the most commonly recommended type of surgery for severe scoliosis. With this surgery, it’s possible you could be back to enjoying all your normal daily activities after a few short months. Your orthopedic surgeon will be able to give you more specific details based on your particular situation.

Who Should I Contact If I Need a Spine Specialist?

If you have or suspect you have, scoliosis and would like more information about your options, please Contact Us today. Southeast Orthopedic Specialists has 14 board-certified orthopedic physicians on staff and we offer cutting-edge care in all six of our state-of-the-art Jacksonville, Florida locations.

The Pros and Cons of Scoliosis Surgery

When you have severe scoliosis, and your orthopedic surgeon has scheduled surgery, you might be wondering what the pros and cons of such a surgery might be.

Pros of Scoliosis Surgery:

• It will stop your spinal curve from getting worse.
• It will reduce your rib’s prominence and reduce any spinal deformities that are present.

Cons of Scoliosis Surgery:

• Complications, as with any surgery, could occur. Such issues could include infection, damage to the nerves, loss of blood and/or bowel and bladder problems.
• You could also experience loss of spinal balance and there’s a possibility that your bones won’t heal or fuse properly.

Any Non-Operative Options for Treating Scoliosis?

There is only one non-operative option for treating scoliosis and that is bracing. If your spine has a curve of 25 to 40 degrees, and your body is still growing, the spine specialist will probably recommend you wear a brace to see if that will keep your scoliosis from getting worse while your body continues to grow.

Carrying around a backpack full of books may be great for the mind, but isn’t so great for the spine. Studies have shown that one of the leading causes of back problems in young children is heavy backpacks. For parents, it’s important to be aware of the potential problems that heavy backpacks present. 

Why Carrying a Backpack can Cause Back Pain

Carrying around a heavy backpack day in and day out can distort the curve of the spine, leading to irritation of the joints in the spine and muscle strain as the muscles try to compensate for the distortion. In severe instances, a heavy backpack can even cause stress fractures.

In most cases, the pain caused by carrying a heavy backpack is only temporary and will go away on its own with a little rest. However, if your child’s back pain persists you will want to contact an orthopedic specialist to diagnose and treat the condition.

How to Prevent Back Pain Caused by Heavy Backpacks

One of the best ways to prevent back pain caused by carrying around a heavy backpack is to choose the right backpack. You will want to reduce weight by looking for a backpack made from lightweight material. It’s also important to find a backpack that has thickly padded straps and a padded back. Waist straps are also a good way to distribute some of the backpack’s weight to the hips and reduce the load on the back. Lastly, you may want to consider purchasing a backpack with wheels on it so that your child can pull it behind them rather than having to carry it all the time.

Contact A Spine Care Specialist

If your child is suffering from back pain, a heavy backpack may very well be the cause. Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to help prevent back pain caused by a heavy backpack. If your child’s back pain persist, though, or if it is severe, please contact our spine care specialists today to schedule an appointment.