Spine Injuries and Disorders

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include

Infections
Injuries
Tumors
Conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis and scoliosis
Bone changes that come with age, such as spinal stenosis and herniated disks

Spinal diseases often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they include back braces and surgery.

Symptoms of Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following features are indicative of Spine Injuries and Disorders:

uneven shoulders
one shoulder blade
uneven waist
one hip higher than the other
back pain
shoulder pain
neck pain
buttock pain
respiratory problems
back problems
constipation
limited mobility
painful menstruation
slow nerve action
calcium deposits
chronic pain in the lower back
stiffness of the lower back
swelling
neck pain
fatigue

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Common Causes of Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Spine Injuries and Disorders:

cerebral palsy
muscular dystrophy
hereditary factors
birth defects of the bones of the spine
spine injuries
infections of the spine

Risk Factors for Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Spine Injuries and Disorders:

being female
family history
testing positive for HLA-B27

Prevention of Spine Injuries and Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Spine Injuries and Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:

eating a healthy diet
avoid smoking
exercising regularly

Occurrence of Spine Injuries and Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Spine Injuries and Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:

Common between 1 - 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Spine Injuries and Disorders most commonly occurs in the following age group:

Aged between 20-50 years

Common Gender

Spine Injuries and Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Spine Injuries and Disorders:

Physical exam: To see if one side of the rib cage is more prominent than the other
Neurological exam: To check for muscle weakness, numbness and abnormal reflexes
Imaging tests: To confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis and reveal the severity of the spinal curvature
Schober's test: To measure the flexion of the lumbar spine
physical exam
Genetic testing: To measure variations of the HLA-B gene
Blood tests: To measure the blood concentration of C-reactive proteins and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index: To detect the inflammatory burden of disease

Doctor for Diagnosis of Spine Injuries and Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Spine Injuries and Disorders:

Orthopedic surgeon
Rheumatologist
Ophthalmologist
Gastroenterologist
Physiatrist
Physical therapist

Complications of Spine Injuries and Disorders if untreated

Yes, Spine Injuries and Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Spine Injuries and Disorders is left untreated:

lung damage
heart damage
back problems
unlevelled shoulders
prominent ribs
uneven hips
shift of the waist and trunk to the side
aortic insufficiency
aortitis
heart rhythm problems
pulmonary fibrosis

Procedures for Treatment of Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Spine Injuries and Disorders:

Braces: To prevent further progression of the curve
Surgery: To reduce the severity of the spinal curve and to prevent it from getting worse
Physical therapy: Improves strength and flexibility

Self-care for Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Spine Injuries and Disorders:

Regular exercise: Maintains flexibility and improves the posture
Avoid smoking: Decreases chances of additional problems for people with ankylosing spondylitis
Maintain good posture: Practicing standing straight posture in regular routine
Follow healthy diet: Take healthy diet

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Spine Injuries and Disorders:

Chiropractic manipulation: Helps by showing improvements in pain, Cobb angle, and disability
Do daily exercise and part-time bracing: Helps relieving pain
Use shall Shastika Pinda Svedana: Massage whole body to relieve pain
Acupuncture: Relieves the pain and prevents the future episodic relapses

Patient Support for Treatment of Spine Injuries and Disorders

The following actions may help Spine Injuries and Disorders patients:

Peer group support: Provides a significant impact on a child's or teen's acceptance of scoliosis
Support group: Provides advice, relay real-life experiences and help to connect with others facing similar challenges
Meet people with same condition: Join an online or in-person support group of people with the same condition

Time for Treatment of Spine Injuries and Disorders

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Spine Injuries and Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:

More than 1 year

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.

This page provides information for Spine Injuries and Disorders.

Back Pain

Herniated Disk

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Scoliosis

Spinal Stenosis

Tailbone Disorders