COMMON SPINE CONDITIONS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Common spine conditions include:

• Spondylolisthesis - the slippage or displacement of a vertebra
• Disc herniation - where a tear in the outer ring of an intervertebral disc allows the central portion to bulge out
• Spinal stenosis - the narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen resulting in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots
• Spinal deformity - a curvature of the spine such as side-to-side curvature (scoliosis) and front-to-back curvature (kyphosis)
• Pathologic fracture - a bone fracture caused by disease (such as osteoporosis) resulting in weakness of the bone structure
  

Surgical procedures that may be considered for treating spine conditions include:​

• Fusion - the joining of vertebrae to stop movement between the fused vertebrae and prevent back pain caused by stretching nearby nerves, ligaments, and muscles
• Discectomy - the removal of abnormal disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord ​
• Laminectomy - the removal or trimming of a portion of the vertebral bone to widen the spinal canal and create more space for the spinal nerves and thecal sac
• Foraminotomy - a minimally invasive procedure where an incision is made in the back and a small hole is cut into the vertebra to remove impinging bone or disc material

EXPERT advice

Specialist opinions may sometimes be required for ACC, insurance, employment and medico-legal purposes.

Phillip can offer an independent, impartial opinion on a range of orthopaedic and spinal matters.

For more information, please phone +64 9 523 8050 or email contact@phillipinsull.co.nz