The Orange County Orthopedic & Pain Center has a team of top spine surgeons in Southern California dedicated to diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the spine, such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, compression fracture, spinal arthritis, and scoliosis.
Conditions Treated by The Top Spine Surgeons in Southern California
A herniated disc is a condition in which the inner gel-like substance pushes through the disc’s outer layer and applies pressure on nearby nerves. Patients can develop a herniated disc as they age, or as a result of heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Orthopedic physicians typically recommend rest and ice therapy, but some patients may need more serious treatment, such as heat therapy, epidural injections, and surgery to remove the herniated disc and relieve symptoms.
Patients typically develop spinal stenosis over time as a result of normal wear and tear on the body. The condition can cause back pain and pain and weakness in the legs. During a consultation with a top spine surgeon in Southern California, patients will be asked about their symptoms, medical history, and any previous treatment for spinal conditions. Depending on the severity of the patient’s conditions, a spine surgeon may recommend physical therapy, lumbar traction therapy, chiropractic adjustments, steroid injections, and minimally invasive surgery.
Degenerative disc disease is a condition associated with aging and occurs when discs lose fluid and develop tiny cracks over time, often causing other conditions, such as herniated discs and osteoarthritis. To treat these conditions, orthopedic physicians may recommend physical therapy, injections, medications, or surgery.
When patients experience pain that radiates from the lower spine and down one leg, involving the sciatic nerve, the condition is called sciatica. The pain can be caused by a bone spur or herniated disc compressing the nerve. To experience pain relief, patients may need physical therapy, medication, steroid injections, and even surgery, depending on the severity of their condition.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slides onto the one below it. Some patients may not experience any symptoms, but others may experience pain in the lower back or buttocks. The condition may arise as a result of injury to joints, stress fractures, infection, or arthritis. Treatment options include physical therapy, medications, and surgery.
A spinal compression fracture can cause severe pain, loss of bladder control, and leg weakness. The fracture may be caused by trauma to the spine or osteoporosis. Patients may need to take pain medication, wear a brace, or even undergo surgery to correct the internal vertebrae.
Spinal arthritis is characterized by the overall breakdown of cartilage in the spine’s joints and discs. The condition may be caused by general wear and tear over time, or injuries. Patients with spinal arthritis may experience tingling or numbness in the arms and legs, and pain and stiffness in the neck and back. Non-surgical treatment options include strengthening exercises, weight loss, massage, and electrical nerve stimulation.
The final condition treated by the top spine surgeons in Southern California is scoliosis. The condition is characterized by a curvature of the spine, which can be congenital or develop over time as a result of abnormal nerves and muscles or injury. Depending on the severity of the condition, patients may need to be monitored regularly with imaging tests, wear a brace, or undergo surgery to correct the curvature.