Experts say that back injuries and other spinal problems can result in a wide range of symptoms, including those that you may not be aware of. If you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms in your spine or extremities, a spine specialist may be able to help you feel better.
Read on to discover the top four symptoms indicating you're better off visiting an experienced spine specialist.
1. Loss of sensation in your limbs
Weakness, impaired sensation, or tingling in your limbs may indicate a lumbar (lower back) spine condition. This is because the nerves connecting these areas of your body to your brain go through the spine and can be pinched as they travel from the brain to the arms or legs. If this is the case, you may feel that your foot is dropping or that your leg gives out occasionally when you're walking or running.
This could be caused by a herniated disc, a bone spur, or stenosis, which is a constriction of the space within the spinal canal. The symptoms resulting from these ailments may subside over time depending on the underlying culprit. A reputable spine specialist can determine the proper diagnosis and treat these symptoms accordingly with prescribed therapies that bring comfort and help improve the quality of your life.
2. Changes in spinal alignment
Scoliosis is the misalignment of the spine. Most people associate scoliosis with spinal screenings they had as a kid, either at school or at their pediatrician's office. While scoliosis is most common in preteens and teenagers, it can also occur later in life as a result of arthritis or other degenerative back conditions.
An S-shaped curve in the vertebrae characterizes scoliosis. It frequently causes shoulder, waist, and hip misalignment. A bulge on the back can also develop as a result of this condition, either between the shoulder blades or lower down. Scoliosis can be treated non-invasively or with spinal deformity correction surgery, depending on its severity. Sometimes, your doctor may suggest simply monitoring it to ensure it does not worsen.
3. Decreased range of motion in your fingers and hands
Your spinal column is connected to your arms, hands, and fingers by the vertebrae in your upper back and neck. Any deformities in these areas can have an impact on your ability to perform activities that require using your hands. You might realize that you are having issues with buttons or zippers, or that your handwriting has changed.
These symptoms, similar to those experienced in the lower spine, can be caused by a variety of different sorts of spinal disorders. To diagnose the root cause of the problem, a spinal specialist can perform a physical exam and may recommend scans such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.
4. Chronic back or neck pain
Although not all spinal injuries or conditions result in discomfort in the affected area, some do. A slipped disc might produce pain or discomfort in the immediate area around it. If your spinal vertebra are rubbing against each other, osteoarthritis, which often results from the lack of protective cartilage around the bones, can lead to your back or neck getting painful. Minor fractures in the vertebrae can be caused by osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones get brittle as a result of aging.
Another reason to schedule an appointment with a specialist is if you have back or neck symptoms after a minor injury, such as a fall, and they don't subside as quickly as you believe they should.
In addition to the spinal bones, strained muscles and ligaments can also cause back and neck pain. Physical therapy can be prescribed by a spine expert such as a physiatrist (a sports medicine doctor specializing in non-surgical treatments) and other treatments for these issues may be available as well.