Your spine does it all, from keeping you upright to enabling flexibility of your torso to housing your spinal cord. Naturally, age-related degeneration or back injury can take its toll – and this warrants expert medical attention.
The best type of doctor to see for an evaluation and treatment of your back pain is a spine surgeon, who actually not only performs back surgery but also administers noninvasive and minimally invasive spine treatments. Let’s talk about some of the main types of back issues that a spine surgeon treats, and where you can go to see a spine surgeon near Troy and in the Southeast Michigan area.
Common Back Conditions that a Spine Surgeon Can Treat
If you have symptoms of any of the following back conditions, then it is in your best interest to see a spine doctor as soon as possible:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage, which cushions the joints, begins to wear down and thereby allows some friction to develop between the bones. This can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis can happen in any part of the spine, from the neck down to the lower back.
If you have mild arthritis in your back, your spine surgeon may recommend prescription pain medication, physician-administered pain-relief injection treatment, or physical therapy. However, advanced cases of spinal osteoarthritis may warrant back surgery.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine is curved, such as an S-shaped or a C-shaped curve. This back disorder is prevalent among children, and it does not always require treatment.
If the curvature begins to cause back pain, your spine surgeon may recommend a specific type of back brace to help straighten the spine. If the curve becomes so severe that it reduces the amount of space in your chest and thereby impairs your breathing, back surgery may be in order.
Herniated Disc
Your spine has a soft disc located in between each set of two adjacent vertebrae. Spinal discs have a jellylike nucleus housed inside a tougher exterior.
When the exterior of a disc ruptures or becomes “herniated,” the soft center can push through the open tear and irritate nearby nerves simply due to the pressure. Most cases of herniated discs are due to age-related disc degeneration, as the disc dries out over time and loses its suppleness.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is where the space surrounding your spinal cord in the vertebrae becomes narrow due to age. This causes a pinching effect on the spinal nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, and weakness that spreads beyond the back.
Depending on the severity of your spinal stenosis, your spine surgeon may recommend medication, physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of treatments. There are many ways to relieve your back pain efficiently and effectively, and without causing potentially dangerous side effects.
Caring Spine Surgeon Near Troy, MI
If you’re looking for a skilled spine surgeon in Southeastern Michigan, look no further than Dr. Bradley Ahlgren here at Ahlgren Spine. Dr. Ahlgren is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with more than 25 years of clinical experience.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ahlgren, call us today at (248) 215-8080 or fill out our online appointment request form. We serve Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, Royal Oak, and the rest of greater Southeastern Michigan, and we look forward to helping you get back to the life you enjoy.
