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Back Pain
Back pain is very common 8 out of every 10 people will have it at least once during their lives. Acute low back pain usually lasts for a few days to a few weeks and is caused by general work around the house or trauma from a sports or other injury. It can also be caused by arthritis. Acute back pain may vary from being a simple muscle ache to stabbing pain with decreased flexibility. Chronic back pain occurs when back pain lasts for 3 or more months.
Slipped Disc
There are 24 bones called vertebrae in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. Soft disks filled with a jelly-like material fit between these vertebrae. Disks provide stability to the spine and act as shock absorbers. If a disk slips out of space or ruptures it is known as a herniated disk. A herniated disk that presses on a nerve can cause back pain or sciatica. The following are common symptoms from this condition:
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Tingling or numbness |
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Muscle spasms or weakness |
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When the disk is in your lower back, back pain may spread to the buttocks and legs |
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When the disk is in your upper back, neck pain may spread to the shoulders and upper arms. Most people recover with treatment. At Doctor Kares we begin patients on conservative treatment including weight loss, medications and physiotherapy. If that fails, we consider interventions ranging from Ozonucleolysis to endoscopic discectomy. |
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that goes from the lower back down each leg. It controls some muscles in the legs and sends feelings to the thigh, lower leg and foot. Sciatica is pain, weakness, numbness or tingling that can begin in the lower back and run down even to the toes. Usually it affects one side of the body. Some causes of sciatica include a herniated disk, a condition called spinal canal stenosis in which the spinal canal narrows, and a pelvic fracture.
Sciatica may improve without any treatment. When indicated, at Doctor Kares we identify and correct the cause of the sciatica. Our protocols include minimally invasive procedures, medications, and physiotherapy with exercises.
Cervical
A herniated disk in the cervical region may cause arm pain. It usually develops in 30 to 50 year olds. A cervical herniated disk may occur from injury to the cervical region of the spine. However, its symptoms including arm pain often begin spontaneously.
If a herniated disk compresses a cervical nerve, then pain can radiate down the arm and be accompanied by numbness and tingling to the fingertips. Muscle weakness may also be present.
Spondylitis
Spondylitis is inflammation of the vertebrae that could be caused by genetic factors, an infection, chemicals or other agents. The symptoms could include pain, redness, heat, and swelling. Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that involves inflammation of the spine and a pelvic joint. At Doctor Kares, we have extensive experience non-surgically treating this condition.
Failed Back
Failed back syndrome is chronic back or leg pain that happens after back surgery. Some causes of the syndrome include residual disk herniation, post-operative scar tissue, pressure on a spinal nerve, altered joint mobility and muscular deconditioning. Patients with disorders that may constrict blood vessels such as vascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disease may be at risk of developing failed back syndrome and should consider alternatives to surgery. Also, patients who smoke are at risk for poor recovery from surgery. Common symptoms of failed back syndrome include dull and diffuse aching pain of the back/legs.
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