Spine Disorders

What Is a Spine Disorder?

A spine disorder refers to an abnormality of the spine in any location from the neck to the lower back. Because as the spinal column acts as the main support for your body and protects your spinal cord, many disorders of the spine can be painful, and in some cases, degenerative.

Learn more about spine disorders and the full range of spine services we offer in our total spine care program. 

What are the Different Types of Spine Disorders?

There are several types of spine disorders, including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal deformities, such as spina bifida
• Spinal stenosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Kyphosis
• Osteoporosis
• Scheuermann’s kyphosis
• Scoliosis
• Spinal cord cancer
• Spondylolisthesis
• Arthritis
• Spinal tumors
• Spine trauma

Spine Disorder Risk Factors

While some people are born with spine disorders, common causes for spine disorders include accidents or falls, cognitive disorders, inflammation, infections, injuries and degenerative wear and tear that comes with the natural aging process.

The following factors can increase a person’s risk of developing a spine disorder:

• Poor posture
• Improper lifting technique
• Obesity or excess weight
• Repetitive strenuous activity or overuse from exercise
• Existing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and osteoarthritis
• Certain lifestyle habits, including smoking, a sedentary lifestyle or low calcium intake

Spine Disorder Symptoms

Symptoms for spine disorders vary depending on the specific disorder. As the spine acts as the main support for the body, spine disorders can often affect other parts of the body.

Common symptoms of spine disorders include:

• Sharp, dull or burning back or neck pain
• Stiffness or tightness
• Abnormal rounding in the shoulders or back
• Numbness, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction

What Are the Treatment Options for Spine Disorders?

Treatment for disorders of the spine varies from person to person, depending on the type of spine disorder. Banner Brain & Spine offers the following treatment options for spine disorders:

• Minimally invasive spine surgery 
• Spinal oncology
• Spina bifida repair
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Spinal bracing

Depending on your spine condition and the severity, your doctor will talk to you about the spine treatment options available. Learn more about non-surgical and surgical spine treatments here. 

We know spinal disorders can be painful and debilitating. The compassionate and expert staff at Banner Brain & Spine is ready to help diagnose and relieve your spine disorder symptoms.