Spine Center
Our highly-trained subspecialists provide treatment for many types of spine disorders. Our board-certified physicians have extensive medical training and use a holistic approach in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This expertise in back pain, injury and overall spine care results in unprecedented recovery rates for our spine patients..
There are a variety of spinal conditions and disorders that our specialists treat. If you do not see a condition below, please contact our office and we will answer any questions you may have.
Common Spinal Conditions
Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain. Because the back helps stabilize and move the entire body, back pain can be a serious problem. An early diagnosis ensures effective treatment and pain reduction. Please make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist as soon as you experience back pain.
Neck Pain
Neck pain is a common type of pain that nearly everyone experiences at some point in their life. A spine specialist should see neck pain that lasts more than a few days. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists make accurate diagnoses and prescribe neck pain-reducing treatment plans.
Sciatica
Lumbar radiculopathy, which is commonly referred to as just sciatica, is inflammation and irritation of the sciatic nerve and accompanying burning pain. Sciatica is uncomfortable and unpleasant and will not improve unless it is properly treated. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists prescribe treatment plans that ensure fast and long-lasting sciatica relief.
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Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is a pinched neck nerve. Cervical radiculopathy symptoms range from mild to severe and present in the neck and upper extremity. Symptoms get worse when cervical radiculopathy is not properly treated. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.
Herniated Disc
Discs are shock absorbers that lie between adjacent vertebrae. A herniated disc is a disc that protrudes into the spinal canal and pinches a spinal nerve root. A herniated disc and accompanying symptoms do not improve on their own. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) should be made as soon as symptoms present.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease refers to vertebral disc changes with age. These changes include:
- Disc cracks
- Disc drying
- Disc height decrease
Moderate to severe degenerative disc disease can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist ensures quick and long-lasting symptom relief.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves to the side. The condition is most common in adolescents and often goes undiagnosed unless it is severe. If symptoms are experienced, an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist should be made.
Spinal Tumors
Tumors are abnormal tissue growths. Spinal tumors grow on the spine bones or the spinal cord. Skull tumors grow on the skull bones. Patients who experience tumor symptoms should make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) tumor specialist as soon as possible.
Facet Joint Syndrome
The facet joints are the joints that move the spine. Facet joint syndrome occurs when arthritis damages joint bone and cartilage. Early facet joint syndrome treatment reduces symptoms and slows down or stops disease progression. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.
Cervicalgia
Cervicalgia is neck pain that does not spread to the upper extremities. The key to effective cervicalgia treatment is identifying the cause. A Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes a symptom-reducing treatment plan.
Pathological Spine Fracture
A pathological spine fracture is a spine fracture that is caused by a disease rather than an accident or injury. After a thorough evaluation, a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist diagnoses the disease responsible for a pathological spine fracture and prescribes an appropriate treatment plan.
Back surgery or spine surgery is suggested only when all other options have been exhausted. Our Spine Center is dedicated to treating patients with the most effective course of treatment available.
Common Spinal Treatments
Spine Surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is spine surgery that avoids surgically traumatizing large spine muscles. Advantages MISS has over traditional spine surgery include:
- Less postoperative pain
- Less time spent in the hospital
- Better response to physical therapy
- Quicker recovery
Most spine procedures are performed minimally invasively because of these wonderful advantages. Patients who would like to find out if they are a MISS candidate are encouraged to make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialist.
Spinal Fusion
Minimally invasive spinal fusion treats a diseased or damaged intervertebral disc. The procedure is an excellent alternative to traditional open incision surgery. The unique approach creates less surgical trauma while still accomplishing the same surgical goal. Spine and extremity pain are dramatically reduced shortly after the procedure.
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Discectomy
A discectomy treats a pinched lumbar nerve. During the procedure, portions of nerve compressing intervertebral disc are carefully removed and the nerve is decompressed. Symptoms dramatically decrease shortly after surgery. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists are discectomy experts.
Cervical Fusion
Cervical fusion treats a diseased or damaged neck disc that causes movement-related pain. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists perform minimally invasive and traditional cervical fusion procedures.
Cervical Disc Replacement
Cervical disc replacement removes a diseased or damaged neck disc and replaces it with a new one. The procedure benefits many patients because it relieves pain and restores complete range of motion. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists are cervical disc replacement experts.
Lumbar Disc Replacement
Lumbar spine or lower back pain is a common problem for many patients. A diseased or damaged disc is often the cause of lower back pain. Nonsurgical treatment options treat most diseased or damaged discs and their symptoms; however, surgery is sometimes recommended.
Lumbar disc replacement is an excellent procedure because it treats the removes the disc and replaces it with a new one. Full range of motion is restored after recovery. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists are lumbar disc replacement experts.
Laminectomy
Laminectomy treats a pinched nerve. During the procedure, the back part of the vertebra or lamina is removed and the pinched nerve is decompressed. Dramatic symptom relief occurs shortly after the procedure. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists perform minimally invasive and traditional laminectomies.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spine surgery that treats vertebral compression fractures. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) kyphoplasty specialists perform in-office and outpatient procedures.
Revision Spine Surgery
Revision spine surgery is a rarely performed procedure that treats an unsuccessful spine surgery. Most revision spine surgeries are now performed minimally invasively so there is little to no post-procedure pain, recovery or downtime.
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Spinoplasty
Spinoplasty is minimally invasive surgery that treats vertebral compression fractures. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists perform in-office and outpatient Spinoplasty procedures.
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Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive spine surgery that treats vertebral compression fractures. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) spine specialists are vertebroplasty experts.
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