Spine Treatment

At Valdosta Orthopedic Associates, our team of skillfully trained, experienced specialists and clinicians treat a broad gamut of spinal injuriesand conditions including:

• Chronic back pain
• Congenital back problems
• Curvature of the spine/scoliosis (scoliosis affects almost five percent of the U.S. population)
• Degeneration
• Hip pain
• Leg pain
• Osteoporosis
• Work-related injuries
• Post-traumatic injuries

BACK PAIN FACTS

Back pain is a common complaint. Four out of five people in the United States will experience low back pain at least once during their lives. It’s one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work.

On the bright side, you can prevent most back pain. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics will often heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

Causes
Your back is an intricate structure composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and disks –the cartilage-like pads that act as cushions between the segments of your spine. Back pain can arise from problems with any of these component parts. In some people, no specific cause for their back pain can be found.

Strains
Back pain most often occurs from strained muscles and ligaments, from improper or heavy lifting, or after a sudden awkward movement. Sometimes a muscle spasm can cause back pain.

Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of developing low back pain include:
-Smoking-Obesity-Older age-Female gender-Physically strenuous work-Sedentary work-Stressful job-Anxiety-Depression

When to seek medical attention:
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care. Although the pain may take several weeks to disappear completely, you should notice some improvement within the first 72 hours of self-care. If not, see your doctor.

In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. See a doctor immediately if your back pain:

• Is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down
  
  
• Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
  
  
• Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
  
  
• Causes new bowel or bladder problems
  
  
• Is associated with pain or pulsation (throbbing) in the abdomen, or fever
  
  
• Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
  
  
• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss. Also, see your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.