Patient Education

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The physicians at Neuroscience Specialists focus on patient education through effective communication. Our team of professionals will strive to exceed your expectations in the delivery of medical services, ensuring your understanding of our policies, procedures and treatment recommendations. It is our goal to provide you with information critical to a positive post surgical outcome.

What causes low back pain?

Approximately 80% of the population will have low back at some point in their lives. Very few people, however, have a serious medical problem which requires surgery. Many conditions resolve conservatively with little or no treatment or with conservative modalities such as physical therapy, medication and/or injections. The causes of low back pain are varied. They may result from injury, trauma or the natural process of aging, known as degeneration. Some of the most common back pain is related to muscle strain, bulging or herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or sacral iliac joint inflammation and degenerative disc disease. When conservative measures fail, your physician may suggest the need for surgery.

Stenosis:

This is a condition where compression of nerves can produce symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling in the legs. Most cases of spinal stenosis occur in the low back (lumbar spine) and most affect the sciatic nerve.

Spondylosis:

Spondylosis is a degenerative disease affecting the facet joints (spinal joints) and the intervertebral discs.

Spondylolisthesis:

This condition is more commonly known as a “slipped disc.” It refers to abnormal and excessive movement of the vertebrae, which causes pain in the lower back or leg.

Spondylolysis:

The anatomical position of the bones in the spine are arranged to provide stability to the spinal column. Damage or defects within the supporting structures of the spine can be a source of back pain. A crack or fracture in the bony ring of the spinal column is called Spondylolysis. If this occurs on both sides of the ring, the spine is free to slip forward, a condition called Spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis describes a defect in the bony ring of a vertebra, which mainly affects the lowest level of the spine. The bony ring is formed by the pedicle and lamina bones which protects the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Degenerative Disc Disease:

A healthy, intervertebral disc has water in the center portion of the disc (nucleus pulposus), which gives it a spongy quality and the ability to absorb spinal stress. The disc also has an outer ring of tough ligament material (annulus) that hold the vertebra together. The process of degeneration in a vertebral disc causes many problems in the spine. Repeated daily stress and minor injuries may result in a loss of water content, which causes the disc to loose its ability to act as cushion or shock absorber. Tears and resultant scar tissue may weaken the ligament. The most common early symptom of degenerative disc disease is usually low back pain.

What is a bone graft?

Bone Grafts are used to join two or more vertebrae together, creating a solid piece of bone or fusion. Bone grafts may be taken from the hip (autologous) or may be made from synthetic components (allograft) or donor tissue bone bank bone.

	Patient Education
	click the teal headings for more information ... The physicians at Neuroscience Specialists focus on patient education through effective communication. Our team of professionals will strive to exceed your expectations in the delivery of medical services, ensuring your understanding of our policies, procedures and treatment recommendations. It is our goal to provide you with information critical to a positive post surgical outcome. What causes low back pain? Approximately 80% of the population will have low back at some point in their lives. Very few people, however, have a serious medical problem which requires surgery. Many conditions resolve conservatively with little or no treatment or with conservative modalities such as physical therapy, medication and/or injections. The causes of low back pain are varied. They may result from injury, trauma or the natural process of aging, known as degeneration. Some of the most common back pain is related to muscle strain, bulging or herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or sacral iliac joint inflammation and degenerative disc disease. When conservative measures fail, your physician may suggest the need for surgery. Minimally Invasive Procedures Clinical Trials / Ongoing Research Microsurgery Gamma Knife Complex Spinal Fusion Artificial Disc Replacement Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors Cerebrovascular Disorders Peripheral Nerve Disorders Diagnostic Procedures Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) Spinal Fusion Stenosis: This is a condition where compression of nerves can produce symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling in the legs. Most cases of spinal stenosis occur in the low back (lumbar spine) and most affect the sciatic nerve. Spondylosis: Spondylosis is a degenerative disease affecting the facet joints (spinal joints) and the intervertebral discs. Spondylolisthesis: This condition is more commonly known as a “slipped disc.” It refers to abnormal and excessive movement of the vertebrae, which causes pain in the lower back or leg. Spondylolysis: The anatomical position of the bones in the spine are arranged to provide stability to the spinal column. Damage or defects within the supporting structures of the spine can be a source of back pain. A crack or fracture in the bony ring of the spinal column is called Spondylolysis. If this occurs on both sides of the ring, the spine is free to slip forward, a condition called Spondylolisthesis. Spondylolysis describes a defect in the bony ring of a vertebra, which mainly affects the lowest level of the spine. The bony ring is formed by the pedicle and lamina bones which protects the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Degenerative Disc Disease: A healthy, intervertebral disc has water in the center portion of the disc (nucleus pulposus), which gives it a spongy quality and the ability to absorb spinal stress. The disc also has an outer ring of tough ligament material (annulus) that hold the vertebra together. The process of degeneration in a vertebral disc causes many problems in the spine. Repeated daily stress and minor injuries may result in a loss of water content, which causes the disc to loose its ability to act as cushion or shock absorber. Tears and resultant scar tissue may weaken the ligament. The most common early symptom of degenerative disc disease is usually low back pain. What is a bone graft? Bone Grafts are used to join two or more vertebrae together, creating a solid piece of bone or fusion. Bone grafts may be taken from the hip (autologous) or may be made from synthetic components (allograft) or donor tissue bone bank bone.
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