Back Pain

Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability. It can cause absence from work and difficulty in performing daily activities. Most individuals with back pain recover over time, but the recurrence of back pain is common. For a small number of people, back pain can develop into chronic back pain and can be disabling. When you experience back pain symptoms, our team of neurosurgeons, spine surgeons and orthopedic specialists in West Palm Beach is here to help give you the back and spine care you deserve.

Back Pain Causes

The spine is composed of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Back pain can result from sprained ligaments, strained muscles, irritated joints and pressured nerves. It can also result from injuries or accidents, diseases of the bones or conditions of other neighboring internal organs.

Mechanical/Structural Problems

• Sprain– an injury to the ligaments
• Strain– an injury to a muscle or tendon
• Herniated or ruptured discs– compressed discs that irritate nearby nerves
• Degenerative disc disease– discs between the vertebrae break down caused by aging
• Spondylolisthesis– occurs when the vertebrae slip out of place 
• Spinal stenosis– narrowing of the spinal column, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves
• Fractured vertebrae
• Scoliosis– abnormal curve of the spine

Inflammation and Other Diseases

• Arthritis– specifically ankylosing spondylitis, inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine
• Osteoporosis– decreasing bone density and mass
• Fibromyalgia– widespread muscle pain and fatigue
• Endometriosis– buildup of uterine tissue outside the uterus
• Pregnancy– additional body weight and the pressing of the baby into other internal organs can cause back pain
• Kidney stones or other kidney infections
• Tumors

Whatever the cause of your back pain, our spine and orthopedic specialists at West Palm Beach are here to help ease your pain.

What Is a Spine Specialist Called?

At St. Mary’s Medical Center, we have a team of spine specialists who treat spine problems depending on the cause or severity of your back pain:

• Pain specialists such as physicians and anesthesiologists– have specialized training in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for all types of pain
• Primary care doctors
• Orthopedists– specializes in treating and performing surgery for bone problems
• Neurologists– specializes in treating diseases of the spine, brain and nerves
• Neurosurgeons– specializes in performing surgery concerning diseases of the spine, brain and nerves
• Rheumatologists– specializes in treating musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune disorders
• Physical therapists– specializes in movement and muscle strength

Regardless of your diagnosis, rest assured that we have a group of specialists who will work together from diagnosis to rehabilitation.

Common Spine Conditions Treated

• Common Spine Conditions Treated
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Disc herniation
• Osteoporosis
• Compression fractures
• Stenosis
• Radiculopathy
• Radiculitis
• Degenerative disc disease (facet joint disease)
• Spondylolisthesis
• Myelopathy
• Acute traumatic spine injury
• Spine osteomyelitis
• Nontraumatic spine instability
• Cauda Equina Syndrome
• Failed back and neck syndrome
• Scoliosis

Back Pain Treatment

Afraid that you may have to undergo surgery to ease your back pain? Our spine and orthopedic specialists  in West Palm Beach always consider nonsurgical options first before suggesting back pain surgery.

Treatments for your bone and spine would vary according to the cause, but here are the treatment options that your bone and spine doctor may recommend for treatment:

Medications
Medications can be taken orally or applied to the skin to relieve pain and inflammation. Your spine and orthopedic specialist may also prescribe injections for back pain that radiates to other body parts due to nerve compression and irritation.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Prescription pain relievers
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Muscle relaxants
• Steroid injections (interventional spine injections)

Nonsurgical Treatments
Aside from medications, our bone and spine specialists may recommend other treatments before resorting to back pain surgery, such as:

• Hot or cold packs
• Increased physical activity
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Spinal manipulative therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Acupuncture
• Inpatient and outpatient pediatric and adult rehabilitation

Surgical Treatments
When the abovementioned treatments did not ease your pain, your spine specialist might suggest back pain surgery, such as:

• Laminectomy
• Discectomy
• Spinal fusion
• Foraminotomy
• Disc replacement surgery
• Radiofrequency lesioning
• Lumbar, cervical and thoracolumbar fusions
• Dorsal column stimulator
• Baclofen pump for spasticity
• Kyphoplasty
• Scoliosis treatments (tethering, stapling)
• MAGEC System (remote-controlled technology for the treatment of spine deformities)

When To See A Spine Specialist

You might want to see one of our spine specialists in West Palm Beach, FL if your back pain doesn’t improve in 2 weeks. If this is the case, your lower back pain might be a symptom of a more severe problem.

Other symptoms that can indicate a more serious problem include:

• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs
• Back pain after physical trauma
• Back pain that gets worse at night
• Unexplained weight loss
• Back pain with a throbbing sensation in the abdomen
• Fever

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with one of our spine specialists at St. Mary’s Medical Center for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Why Choose St. Mary’s Medical Center for Back Pain?

The Spine Center of Excellence at St. Mary’s Medical Center is dedicated to treating patients who require specialized spine procedures. The Spine Center of Excellence is the first Joint Commission program in Palm Beach County to be certified. The Spine Center of Excellence offers a dedicated navigator specially trained physicians, a multidisciplinary team which includes dedicated nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and dedicated case managers all working together to provide you exemplary care.

We offer back pain services that use advanced techniques to manage and resolve acute and degenerative conditions affecting the spine. Through various treatment options, our program is individualized and designed to fit each patient’s needs and goals.

Before admission, patients will receive one-on-one preoperative education to help prepare for their visit, and we offer discharge education to explain the necessary steps for at-home healing. While visiting St. Mary’s Medical Center, our dedicated patient navigator is committed to helping ensure a pleasant hospital stay for patients and visitors. Additionally, we provide a comfortable setting in a private room with specially prepared meals and internet access. Upon request, accommodations are available for a support “coach” throughout the patient’s admission.

The Spine Center of Excellence is designed for comfort and healing. Our postoperative unit team works to meet the needs of patients and their families following surgery in a hotel-like setting. Amenities include:

• VIP registration
• Private rooms with flat-screen televisions and internet access
• Sleep accommodations, upon request, for a family member or designated coach
• Custom climate control
• Private refrigerators