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Diseases of the Spine

By Ehren Allen, Certified Manual Therapist/Physical Therapist

Diseases of the Spine

If you are experiencing diseases of the spine, pain in the neck or shoulder, tingling or numbness in the arms, or have experienced weakness when using the arms or hands, the source of the problem may be in the neck or cervical spine. Pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, along with difficulty walking may be caused by lumbar spine disease. These disorders may be caused by age, injury, poor posture, or other disease processes.

JOI Spine Physicians

Diseases of the Spine

Spinal Diseases

Spondylosis

  • This is basically osteoarthritis in the spine. It may include to degenerative disk disease, bone spurs, and facet joint disease.

Herniated Disk or Disk Herniation

  • Occurs when the fluid in the disk protrudes into or through the outer layer of the disk. This can cause pain, nerve impingement or a pinched nerve, or symptoms in the legs.

Degenerative Disk Disease DDD

  • It is when the intervertebral disk loose height and size, causing the vertebrae to sit closer together and have less stability. These changes may be accompanied by other arthritic changes and cause inflammation or encroachment on nerve structures.

Spinal Stenosis or Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

  • A term that refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal due to degenerative changes which may lead to compression of the neural structures in the back.

Spondylolysis

  •  A defect which develops in part of the vertebra in the lower back, usually the last vertebra of the lumbar spine. This typically occurs with repeated stress on the structure.  Dancers and gymnasts may develop this issue due to repetitive forceful hyperextension movements of the lower lumbar spine.

Spondylolisthesis

  • Occurs when there is instability in the spine and one vertebrae slips forward on the one below it.
spondylolisthesis of the spine

Spondylolisthesis.

Osteoporosis

  • A disease in which bone density decreases, increasing the risk of fractures. It is most common in post-menopausal women.  Bone density studies are needed to determine the extent of the disease.
Osteoporosis Stages

Osteoporosis stages. close-up of human bones with different density. bone disease. aging process.

Kyphosis

  • Refers to the excessive forward curvature of the spine. A common presentation is in the upper back (Thoracic Spine) with a hunched back or humped back.

Anklylosing Spondylitis (Bamboo Spine)

  • In the spine is a connective tissue disease which leads to the vertebrae fusing to each other.  This can certainly result in pain, loss of motion and function.

Physical Therapy

Whether you are suffering from back issues, joint pain, or injuries resulting from any type of activity, JOI has 12 physical therapy clinics conveniently located in Jacksonville and Northeast FL who specialize in orthopedic rehab.  To schedule an appointment for physical or occupational therapy, call any of the 12 area JOI Rehab Centers 904-858-7045.

Related Articles: Robotic Spine Surgery at JOI, Low Back Pain, and What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

JOI and JOI Rehab

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.

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By: Ehren Allen, Certified Manual Therapist/Physical Therapist