Spine
We are focused on exhausting non-operative treatment to help you get better without surgery. However, if those efforts fail to provide relief, and
surgery is indicated, we strive to offer less invasive, non-fusion, and/or motion-sparing options.
The Team
Depending on the diagnosis, your treatment plan for neck
or back pain may include physical therapy, pain management, minimally-invasive procedures, surgery, or — frequently — a combination thereof. With a range of medical backgrounds and training, our team of spine specialists provide an unmatched continuity of care to get you back to 100% faster.
Louis Magdon, MD
Spine Surgeon
Colleen
McElhinney, PA-C
Physician Assistant
When to give us a call
Persistent Pain
Most of the time, neck and back pain will go away in a matter of days or weeks with rest, ice/heat, and over-the-counter medications. However, if the pain persists for several weeks, gets worse, or you find yourself taking more and more pills to manage the pain, that’s your cue to make an appointment to see a spine specialist.
Trauma
This may seem obvious, but if you fall from a ladder, get in a car wreck, or sustain some other type of traumatic injury that results in spine pain, seek treatment quickly.
Imbalance and/or Limb Weakness
If you experience pain or stiffness of the neck along with problems with fine motor skills, an imbalance while walking, or weakness in your arms and legs, seek urgent consultation with a spine surgeon.
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Pain Occurring with Other Symptoms or Conditions
You will also want to seek urgent consultation for spine pain accompanied by any of the following red flags:
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History of cancer
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Urinary retention
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Bowel or bladder incontinence
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Saddle numbness
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Unexplained fever
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Unexplained weight loss
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Osteoporosis
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Steroid use
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Night pain
Common Spine Issues
Fractures
Spinal fractures can result from major trauma or lower-impact events, such as a minor fall in someone with osteoporosis.
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Spondylolysis
Stress fractures are typically associated with the foot and ankle, but they can also occur in your spine. Spondylolysis is most common among young athletes but can occur at any age.
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Spondylolisthesis
This condition is when a vertebrae slips out of place, resting on the bone below it. It can happen as a result of spondylolysis, aging, or it may be congenital in nature.
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Spinal Stenosis
Due to a number of causes, the spaces within your spine can become narrower, putting pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine, resulting in pain, tingling, numbness and/or muscle weakness.
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Herniated Disc
Typically occurring in the lower back, the rubbery pads that sit between your vertebrae can sometimes partially slip out of their position, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.
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Cervical Myelopathy
Symptoms of this disorder include clumsiness of the hands, an imbalance while walking, or weakness in your arms and legs. It is most common in persons older than 55 years of age.
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Radiculopathy
Commonly referred to as a pinched nerve, this condition may cause pain radiating down your legs or arms. Radiculopathy can have different names (sciatica, for example), depending on where in the spine it occurs.
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Degenerative Disc Disease
One of the most common causes of low back and neck pain, this condition affecting the spinal discs can be described simply as “wear-and-tear” and is considered a natural part of aging. Despite the name, degenerative disc disease is not an actual disease, but a condition.