Back & Neck
About
The back and neck share the same type of causes for pain, so a cause for neck pain might also be responsible for back pain. Some of the most common causes are caused by lumbar strain, which is a stretch injury of the tendons and ligaments of the lower back; mechanical pressure caused by bones, tissues and other structures that usually result in radiculopathy; and bony encroachment, the abnormal growth of the lumbar spine vertebrae.
People suffer from back and neck pain for several reasons, but most fall under 4 major categories:
• Lumbar Strain
• Nerve Irritation
• Lumbar Radiculopathy
• Bony Encroachment
At South Miami Walk-In Orthopedics and Sports Medicine we offer comprehensive care solutions for patients suffering from back and neck pain. We count on the vast experience of our doctors who work meticulously to get the proper diagnosis and treatment for our patients. In general, our procedure includes examining the affected area in close detail and designing a personalized plan of treatment that maximizes the chances of a proper and fast recovery.
Conservative therapy focuses on reducing or eliminating the overdone motion that affected the back and neck in the first place. This type of therapy consists of reducing the usual activities performed by these parts of the body, applying ice and getting proper rest. Additional physical therapies are also recommended in order to improve blood circulation, back and neck strength, and muscle flexibility.
Pain medications are often prescribed to patients who have swelling or are suffering from high levels of pain. Steroid injections are also given in severe cases. However, these should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor and subsequent follow-ups should be scheduled in order to measure the effectiveness of the medications.
When conservative therapy and medications aren’t helping, doctors opt for surgery. Nerve-pinching damaged discs from the vertebrae can be removed, and patients suffering from bony encroachment can have the abnormally grown part of the lumbar spine reduced or completely removed as well.
