Degenerative disc disease is caused by wear and tear on one or more discs in the spine. Over time, our discs lose water content and do not absorb shock as well as they used to. Eventually, these degenerative changes can put pressure on a nerve root, causing pain. Degenerative disc disease can also lead to muscle tension and spasms, as well as spinal instability. Initial treatment is nonsurgical. If surgery is needed, the procedure is tailored to the patient’s needs.

Herniated discs are a very common cause of back and neck pain that occurs when the gel-like center of the disc bulges out and puts pressure on one or more of the nerves branching out from the spine. They are often referred to as “slipped” or “ruptured” discs. In addition to back or neck pain, herniated discs can cause symptoms like tingling, numbness, or weakness in one of the arms or legs, as well as sharp, shooting pain down one of the arms or legs. We offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for this condition, starting with the most conservative treatments whenever possible.

Interventional pain management is an important component of treatment for spine conditions. The oral medications typically used to manage pain can lead to serious health problems, even if they are over-the-counter. Opioid pain medications are also highly addictive, and therefore not the best option for long-term pain management. Interventional pain management involves the use of long-acting injections and devices to help patients manage pain effectively without the negative side effects of oral medications. This can help patients delay or avoid the need for surgery by allowing them to more easily participate in physical therapy and other treatments.

Sciatica is a sharp, tingling, burning pain that starts in the lower back or hip and radiates down the leg. Sciatica is caused by an underlying condition, like degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, or spinal stenosis that results in compression of the nerve root. In order to effectively treat sciatica, we must identify the root cause and treat it. Treatments for sciatica can vary depending on the underlying cause, but initial treatment is nonsurgical. Surgery is only considered if nonsurgical treatments do not relieve symptoms.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal typically caused by degenerative changes over time. Spinal stenosis can cause back pain, sciatica, and numbness or weakness in one of the arms or legs. When spinal stenosis is present in the lower back, a person may feel better while sitting or leaning forward (such as leaning forward on the shopping cart while grocery shopping). This condition can often be treated with more conservative methods but may require surgery if symptoms have worsened or have not improved with nonsurgical treatment.