There are three main problems that can occur within your spine: cervical spine issues, thoracic spine issues, and lumbar spine issues. Here are the differences between these problems and how you can diagnose them.

The cervical spine is in your neck region and houses the spinal cord that sends messages from the brain to control all aspects of the body. It consists of seven bones which are separated by one another by intervertebral disks. These disks act as shock absorbers.

Overtime, intervertebral disks become worn and can begin to degenerate. This process is known as cervical degenerative disk disease, and research finds that approximately 25% of people under 40 and 60% of people over 40 have some degree of degenerative disk disease.

Neck pain and a stick neck are symptoms of cervical degenerative disk disease.

The thoracic spine runs from the base of the neck down to the abdomen. It protects the spinal cord and anchors the rib cage. The thoracic spine consists of twelve vertebrae.

Two major issues that tend to happen in the thoracic spine are muscular problems and joint dysfunction. Muscular problems are usually felt in the upper back and shoulder muscles. Joint dysfunction can happen when cartilage tears and degeneration develops in the fact joints.

There are lots of symptoms of thoracic spine issues including: stiffness, limited range of motion, muscle spasms, nerve pain, muscle weakness, and stooped posture.

The lumbar spine is in the lower back, where the spine curves inwards toward the abdomen. It’s built for power and flexibility—lifting, twisting, and bending. The lumbar spine has two vertebrae and provides protection from jarring movements.

Lower back pain is normally caused by the following: muscular problems, degenerated disks, and lumbar disk herniation. Out of these issues, lumbar disk herniation is the most common problem. A herniated disk happens due to injury or heavy lifting.

Interestingly, leg pain (sciatica) is the most common symptom of a herniated disk.

If you believe you are suffering from one of these problems, it’s important to have a spine doctor diagnose you. Contact Sonoran Spine today to 

. about spine issues and management methods.

DIAGNOSING SPINE PROBLEMS

Those with degenerative disc disease enjoy a 33% reduction in pain score and a 25% decrease in disability when compared to non-surgical patients. Operative care even reduces treatment costs. Spinal fusion has been the traditional go-to approach for many years, but treating such a broad range of conditions in the same way is like trying to shoot a fly with a cannon. Thorough diagnostics will determine the best surgical option for you.

Fusion stabilizes parts of the spine that are causing pain. There are three broad options here: posterolateral, interbody, and minimally invasive fusions. The latter evades muscle damage and speeds up recovery times. This makes it an excellent choice for patients who have a high risk of infection and inflammation.

Artificial discs are best for pain that’s caused by the disc itself rather than by instability. This surgery can’t recreate full motion, but it does leave you with more movement than fusions can achieve, which could reduce the likelihood of further degeneration. The incision is made directly over the spine these days rather than above the abdomen, which reduces risk of injury. Total disc replacement removes all disc tissue, while disc nucleus replacement implants a device between the vertebra.This technique has been in use since the Sixties, but its results and safety profile are comparable with fusion.

The more precise your diagnosis, the better your odds of choosing an effective surgical cure. Your doctor will need to assess your risk of delayed healing, infection, and neurological impairment to make sure your surgery doesn’t lead to further damage. Tissue engineering techniques will eventually be added to your options. They’re currently bring put through human trials, so one day, it might become possible to grow new tissue at the damage site.

If you've been diagnosed with degenerative disk disease, it's not too late to visit Sonoran Spine. We treat every patient uniquely and explore all of their surgical options.

SURGERY FOR DEGENERATIVE DISK DISEASE

 article. Read about Dr. Chang and his expertise on spinal conditions in children and adults.

DR. CHANG FEATURED IN AZCENTRAL ARTICLE

Your spine might well be the oddest part of your body. It evolved too poorly to do its job well, undergoes changes from morning to night, and has the same number of vertebrae as a giraffe. It’s made from billions of neurons and keeps your brain in contact with the rest of your body. As spine specialists, we thought we'd share some fun facts about the spine in time for Halloween:

If You Want To become Taller, Visit the Moon

Gravity affects your height more than you might imagine. You’re taller when you wake up than when you go to sleep. Astronauts who spend time in space grow by as much as two inches. Once they return to planet earth, gravity goes to work to steal all that precious height.

The spinal cord consists of a tangle of billions of nerves that send and receive information to and from the rest of the body. It’s the hub of all the body’s nerve signals. It doesn’t even need messages from the brain in all scenarios. Sometimes, it sends signals autonomously.

Doctors are Starting to do Robotic Back Surgeries

Robot-assisted spine surgery might sound as though it belongs in a sci-fi film, but surgeons are already using it to do surgeries in some locations. In the future, the technology will improve precision and outcomes.

Humans usually have 33 vertebrae, which are separate at birth. As you grow, the bones of the lower spine fuse, forming the sacrum and coccyx. So, if you've ever envied a baby's flexibility, don't feel bad.

Just like the brain, the spine is made from white and gray matter. The latter is a collection of motor neurons, and the former is responsible for communicating with the rest of the body.

The spine is your brain’s personal assistant, and it does its job beautifully. If you are experiencing issues with your spine, 

congenital spine deformities

DIAGNOSING SPINE PROBLEMS

SURGERY FOR DEGENERATIVE DISK DISEASE

DR. CHANG FEATURED IN AZCENTRAL ARTICLE

HALLOWEEN SKELETON FACTS