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Spinal Disease

Spinal disease is any pathology which affects the spinal column and/or the spinal cord and spinal nerves which are contained therein. Spine disease is a large area of study because of the large number of diseases which can affect the spinal system, from purely skeletal disorders to primary nervous system disorders. All types of spine disease can present with either or both spinal symptoms or neurological symptoms associated with injury or compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Spine disease is very common, with many people undergoing spinal surgery every day.

Degenerative spine disease is a general term for any pathology of the spine that occurs over time due to both normal aging and wear and tear of the vertebral column. This includes many pathologies, such as herniated disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spinal instability.

Traumatic spine disease refers to any disease of the spine which occurs as the result of a traumatic injury such as a fall or motor vehicle accident. It can include spinal fractures, traumatic disc herniation and spinal instability.

Spinal Tumors are tumors that involve the spinal cord or vertebral column. They can either be primary, originating in the spinal column, or secondary, spreading to the spine from other sites in the body, such as in the case of a metastatic cancer.

Spinal Dysraphisms are abnormalities in the the spinal cord, mostly due to abnormalities in the development of the spinal cord and/or vertebral column.

Types of Spinal Disorders

• Degenerative Spinal Disease: Degenerative spinal disease is related to chronic wear and tear on the spine due to aging and physical activity. It can lead to a number of different spine disorders.
  • Herniated Disc
    • Cervical Herniated Disc
    • Thoracic Herniated Disc
    • Lumbar Herniated Disc
  • Spinal Stenosis
    • Cervical Stenosis
    • Lumbar Stenosis
    • Foraminal Stenosis
  • Spinal Instability
• Spine Trauma: Physical trauma is a potential cause of injury to the spine and spinal cord.
• Spinal Tumors: Like the brain, the spinal cord can develop both benign and malignant tumors in or around it.
• Spina Bifida and Spinal Dysraphism
  • Spina Bifida Occulta
  • Meningocele
  • Myelomeningocele
  • Syringomyelia

Spinal Surgery Procedures

• Laminectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• Lumbar Discectomy
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
• Foraminotomy (or Foramenotomy)
• Spinal Fusion

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