DAVE WATTS, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Spine and Neck Injury
Dealing with chronic pain and injuries is always going to be difficult, but when such conditions affect the spine and neck, the impact to your life can be much more significant. The spine is not only the support system for your torso, and your internal organs, but it is also an extremely complex system that houses the core of your central nervous system. This means that spinal injuries can trigger pain and other symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Even worse is the fact that the neck is under incredible strain as it supports the weight of the head, and it is more exposed to potential injury because it is not protected in the same ways as the spinal column. As many people already know, back and neck pain are among the most common types of pain suffered by adults. This is due in part to lifestyle choices like weight gain, lack of exercise, poor posture, and staring at mobile devices all day, but trauma, illness, and general susceptibility to injury could also be contributing factors.
If you suffer from temporary, intermittent, or chronic pain or injuries of the spine and neck, you need an experienced and reliable orthopedic spine surgeon Sioux Falls to diagnose your condition and offer surgical and rehabilitative treatment options. If you want to alleviate pain, regain mobility, and improve function and quality of life, you need the specialists at Sioux Falls Orthopedics in your corner.
Our board-certified physicians boast 40 years of experience in orthopedic spine and sports medicine practice, and they’re proud to utilize their expertise on your behalf. Whether you’re dealing with neck strain, herniated discs, or trauma to the neck or spine, immediate diagnosis and treatment are your best bet to avoid further pain and lasting damage. When you partner with the qualified physicians at Sioux Falls Orthopedics, you’ll gain access to highly-trained professionals, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and a caring and compassionate staff that takes your spinal health just as seriously as you do.
What are some of the most common spine and neck issues we encounter at Sioux Falls Orthopedics?
Back Pain and Injury:
Herniated Discs
Rubbery spinal discs serve as cushions between the hard bones of your vertebrae, helping to add some flexibility and absorb impact. Because your spine protects the central nervous system, damage to discs can be particularly painful and debilitating. Herniated discs, among the most common causes of spine and neck pain, are characterized by the softer interior of the disc pushing against the tougher outer layer, causing a bulge or even a rupture through which the soft, jelly-like interior begins to emerge.
This alone can result in weakness and pain, but the condition can easily be exacerbated by the disc causing irritation to nearby nerves. Symptoms could not only include back pain, but also numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in extremities, especially those connected to nerves affected by the herniated disc.
Musculoligamentous Strain
This is perhaps the most common cause for lower back pain and it occurs when soft tissues around the spine are stretched too far, resulting in strains or even tears of muscles and ligaments.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down each leg. Sciatica is a condition punctuated by symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that radiate down the leg from the lower back. It is frequently caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, trauma, or other conditions that cause the sciatic nerve to become compressed or irritated near its point of origin.
Scoliosis
Everyone remembers getting checked for scoliosis in school, and considering the potential damage caused by this irregular, sideways curvature of the spine, it’s no wonder physicians are keen to catch it early. Scoliosis may be mild or severe, but in extreme cases it can be disabling.
Neck Pain and Injury:
Cervical Spondylosis
Over time, the discs in your neck will age and begin to deteriorate, shrinking and dehydrating as osteoarthritis starts to set in. Patients may not notice symptoms initially, but ongoing deterioration can lead to stiffness and pain, as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness in extremities.
Cervical Stenosis
The spinal column encircles the central nervous system. Cervical stenosis is a condition characterized by narrowing of the spaces in your spine, and this can put pressure on the nerves within. This may or may not cause symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain throughout the body, but symptoms can worsen over time as the condition progresses.
Degenerative Disc Disease
When discs between the vertebrae begin to deteriorate with age, symptoms can include stiffness and pain in the neck, as well as numbness, weakness, and pain in other areas of the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This chronic inflammatory disorder, which occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s healthy tissue, can affect not only joints, but also bones and soft tissues throughout the body, including the spinal column and commonly, the neck.
When you suffer from a spine injury or neck disorder that causes pain and impacts your life, it’s time to contact caring and experienced orthopedic doctors in Sioux Falls. It’s time to call Sioux Falls Orthopedics at 605-336-2638 for diagnosis and treatment.