Back and neck injuries (orthopaedics)
On this page you will find more information about common injuries of the back and neck for which the orthopaedic surgeons can treat you surgically.
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Some common conditions and their treatment.
Discus hernia
When a tear occurs in the outer layers of the disc, the central gel-like core can bulge out through this tear. This bulge, clot or "mushroom," is called a disc herniation. A herniated disc thus bulges beyond the normal dimensions or contour of the disc, and in this way can cause pressure on one or more nerves.
Pressure on a nerve, caused by a disc herniation, gives a typical radiating pain to the leg, and this according to the course of that particular nerve. This radiating pain is called "sciatica. When the quality of the disc is still quite good, there is usually relatively little back pain.
Discus degeneration
Disc degeneration or wear and tear of the disc is a normal age-related phenomenon. With age, in most people a number of changes occur in the intervertebral disc, eg the disc will dry out and flatten. Furthermore, cracks can also occur in the disc, possibly followed by an additional disc herniation. This set of changes is called "degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease results in the disc no longer being able to perform its normal weight-bearing function properly. As a result, the person may complain of back pain, especially when driving, sitting, bending, lifting and carrying. This pain may become chronic or constant, sometimes severe to disabling. Radiation pain (leg pain or sciatica) may also be present. This can be caused by a concomitant hernia or by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis gives rise to the formation of new bone (bony growths or 'parrot jaws'), which can result in pressure on one or more nerves.
Spinal stenosis
A stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal (the canal in which the spinal cord and nerves run).
Usually there are complaints of back and leg pain (in one or both legs). The symptoms may increase while walking. In the legs, the person experiences pain, sometimes loss of strength or a feeling of heaviness. At rest, the complaints will usually diminish.
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
With spondylolisthesis, a crack is present on either side of the vertebra, causing the vertebral arch to become detached from the vertebral body. When the vertebra does not stay in place but slips off (usually to the front), it is called a spondylolisthesis.
