Spine Disease Specialist

What is spine disease?

Spine disease is a broad term that covers a variety of conditions affecting your spinal cord or the nerves branching off from it. These conditions include spinal cord or nerve compression (radiculopathy) and diseases of the spinal cord itself.

Diseases of the spinal cord include:

• Syrinxes (fluid-filled cavities)
  
• Blood supply blockages
  
• Hemorrhage (internal bleeding)
  
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
  
• Copper deficiency
  
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  
• Multiple sclerosis
  
• Syphilis
  
• Acute transverse myelitis
  

Conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, vertebral compression fractures, and spondylosis can all put pressure on the spinal cord. They can also compress the nerves where they exit your spine through gaps in the vertebrae called the foramen. Other causes of pressure include abscesses, hematomas, and tumors.

What are the symptoms of spine disease?

Spine disease symptoms can vary depending on which nerves are involved or what part of your spinal cord is affected. Some of the more common symptoms of spine disease include:

• Back pain
  
• Muscle weakness
  
• Tingling, prickling, or burning sensations
  
• Numbness
  
• Loss of sensation
  
• Changes in reflexes
  
• Urinary incontinence
  
• Fecal incontinence
  
• Erectile dysfunction
  
• Reduction in perspiration
  
• Paralysis
  

Symptoms affect your body below the point of disease or compression. For example, a herniated disc in your lower back that's pressing on your nerves might cause pain and tingling sensations through your pelvis and down your legs but wouldn't affect your upper body or arms.

How is spine disease diagnosed?

To diagnose spine disease, you need to attend a physical exam and undergo some tests. An MRI scan can be invaluable, providing a detailed view of the structures in your spine to aid diagnosis.

Dr. Andersson at Neurology Consulting, Inc. also specializes in using nerve conduction velocity tests and electromyography to diagnose and assess spine disease. These tests evaluate your nerve and muscle functions, enabling Dr. Andersson to determine which nerves are causing your symptoms.

How is spine disease treated?

The treatment required for spine diseases depends to a large extent on the cause of your condition. For example, an infection like syphilis or HIV requires treatment with specific medications such as antibiotics or antiretrovirals.

Compression of the spinal cord or nerves from conditions like bulging or herniated discs often respond to conservative approaches such as physical therapy. In cases where no other treatments are helping, you might need to undergo surgery to remove the disc.

For chronic spinal pain, spinal cord stimulation devices could be an option when other treatments aren't providing relief. These implantable devices interfere with the electrical signals going from your spinal cord to your brain, preventing the nerves from transmitting pain messages.

Dr. Andersson creates an individualized treatment plan for you based on the results of your tests and other factors like your age, general health, and existing medical conditions. To take advantage of his considerable expertise in treating spine disease, call Neurology Consulting, Inc. today or book an appointment online.