Types of spinal problems and treatments – Infographic

The spine is made up of small bones which are placed one on top of the other. Any misalignment in these bones or the discs between them can cause spinal problems.

Common spinal problems

Lordosis – This is also referred to as swayback. This occurs when the spine curves inwards on the lower back.
Kyphosis – This occurs when the curve of the spine on the upper back is more than 50 degrees.
Scoliosis – The spine is curved sideways and can be S or C shaped.

Causes of spinal problems?

Lordosis – Causes

• Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebrae slips forward
• Osteoporosis happens when the vertebrae become fragile and can shatter
• Obesity
• Achondroplasia is when bones grown abnormally
• Discitis occurs when the discs between vertebrae get infected and inflamed.
• Juvenile lordosis (occurs in children)

Kyphosis – Causes

• Poor posture
• Scheuermann’s disease
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Spina bifida
• Spine infections
• Spine tumors

Scoliosis – Causes

• Hereditary
• Injury
• Infection

Symptoms of spinal problems

• Severe pain to upper or lower back
• Pain radiating down the back of the leg
• Pain in the neck or radiating to shoulders
• Sudden incontinence
• Sudden, uncontrollable bowel movement
• Unbearable abdominal pain
• Severe pain when bending or lifting things
• Pain when sitting or getting up

Different kinds of spinal surgeries

Doctors usually suggest spinal surgery if there is no other treatment. But many spinal problems can only be treated with surgery. These are usually elective. Examples of common spinal surgeries include:

Minimally Invasive / Endoscopic Spine Surgery like:

• Lumbar Microdiscectomy
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
• Spinal Decompression
• Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy

Congenital Paediatric anomalies like:

• Split Cord Syndrome (Diastemetomyelia)
• Lipomyelomeningocele
• Open myelomeningocele

Spinal Cord Tumours like: 

• All Intradural Spinal Cord Tumours
• Brain Stem and Foramen Magnum Tumours

Complex Spinal procedures like:

• Minimal invasive trans-thoracic discectomy
• Trans-oral and Trans-mandibular approach to anterior CVJ
• Occipito Cervical fusion and C1-2 procedures
• Degenerative scoliosis and Anterior Lumbar procedures

 

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