If you have back pain or radiating leg or arm pain it can disrupt almost every aspect of your life. From causing constant and extreme discomfort to making it hard to walk or even brush your teeth, it can be difficult to ignore. When something goes wrong with the spine, it can result in pain, loss of range of motion, and even weakness. Accurately diagnosing a spine disorder is essential for proper treatment and relief.
WMCHealth’s Department Spine Care Center is dedicated to providing advanced, comprehensive care for a wide variety of spinal conditions and disorders. Our team includes experts from the Departments of Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, Anesthesia, Oncology, Neurology, and Neuroradiology. We are committed to working with our patients to develop personalized care plans that are safe and effective, and that help you get back to a life you love as quickly as possible.
Symptoms of a Spinal Condition
The symptoms of a spine condition will vary depending on the specific disorder, its severity, and the area of the body it’s affecting. Some common symptoms include:
- Stiffness
- Back pain
- Radiating limb pain
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
- Sharp, aching, or burning pain
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Sloped shoulders or uneven hips
Diagnosing a Spinal Condition
If you are experiencing back pain or loss of motion, your doctor’s evaluation may include the following:
- Physical exam
- Neurological exam
- Imaging tests such as MRI, X-ray, or CT scan
- Nerve tests (EMG)
If your doctor sees a mass on your spine, they may recommend a biopsy to check for a cancerous condition.
Causes of a Spinal Condition
The cause of a spinal condition depends on your particular condition, and sometimes the cause is unknown. Common causes include:
- Injuries
- Infection
- Poor posture
- Genetic conditions
- Congenital disorders
- Natural deterioration with age
Treatments for Spinal Conditions
The comprehensive Spine Care Program at WMC provides a patient-centered, holistic, and multi-disciplinary approach to spinal care. Most of our patients are successfully treated without surgery. Some of these non-surgical treatments include:
- Injections
- Back bracing
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Spinal manipulation
Surgery for Spinal Conditions
For those who are unable to find relief through non-surgical methods, WMCHealth’s spine specialists work to develop a personalized surgical plan that is most beneficial to you. We offer the most advanced treatment options and surgical techniques, including traditional open spine surgery, minimally-invasive spine surgery, and motion preserving surgery.
Why Choose WMCHealth
WMCHealth was first in Westchester County to offer robotic spine surgery to our patients. This technology improves surgical guidance, navigation, and safety, because it allows surgeons to be more precise than is possible with other methods.
WMCHealth is also one of only a few centers in the entire country and the only center in the lower Hudson Valley to offer endoscopic spine surgery. Our operating rooms are equipped with high-performance technology, including high-definition microscopes and endoscopes, advanced intraoperative imaging, computer navigation, and advanced monitoring of the spinal cord. Access to this innovative equipment leads to safer surgeries and better outcomes for our patients. These advancements make surgery and recovery faster and safer while reducing post-operative pain, risk of infection, and scarring.