The Spine Center

(847) 698-9330

Mount Prospect Spine Specialists

Ongoing, long-term back pain plagues adults throughout the United States and the wider world. A 2018 publication of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that, “in 2016, an estimated 20.4% of U.S. adults had chronic pain and 8.0% of U.S. adults had high-impact chronic pain.” The causes of such pain can run the gamut, and they may include:  

  • Stress  
  • Obesity  
  • Tumors  
  • Arthritis 
  • Spinal injury 
  • Ruptured spinal discs 
  • Infection  
  • Osteoporosis 
  • Scoliosis 

Sometimes patients struggle to know when they should see a specialist. Read on to learn more about truly serious spine-related symptoms, but understand that associated numbness or a lack of strength are bad signs. Fortunately, not only does the 50,000-person-strong village of Mount Prospect lie a mere four miles from O’Hare International Airport and 20 miles from downtown Chicago, our conveniently located Mount Prospect spine surgeons are here to help. 

Treating Spine Disorders in Mount Prospect, IL 

Because back discomfort is so common, many people think that toughing out the symptoms is the best way to manage their discomfort. Sometimes that can work, and data from the National Institutes of Health seemingly backs up that approach, stating that “short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. … It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function.” 

But when discomfort lingers and you begin to suspect that something is truly wrong, you’ll naturally find yourself asking, “How do you treat a spinal disorder?” The answer, of course, will depend on your specific case, and your Mount Prospect spine surgeon is equipped to perform a wide variety of procedures and treatments, including: 

Common Spine Ailments 

Spine ailments come in many types and severities, including everything from soft-tissue irritation to damage to bony structures which impact the spinal cord itself. Some spinal ailments require little treatment, while those suffering from others may benefit greatly from treatment facilitated by Mount Prospect spine surgeons. Common problems include: 

  • Spinal osteoarthritis 
  • Idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular scoliosis 
  • Spinal Stenosis 
  • Syringomyelia 
  • Herniated or “slipped” spinal discs 
  • Ankylosing spondylosis 
  • Kyphosis 
  • Cauda Equina Syndrome 

When You Should See a Doctor for Back Pain? 

Not every instance of back pain requires professional medical attention, and most kinds of back-related discomfort resolve on their own. However, injuries and spinal deformities are often the source of back pain. These can sometimes decrease in frequency by practicing good posture but can also get worse without treatment. Make an appointment today if you experience any of the following:  

  • unrelenting stiffness or aching 
  • pain in the lumbar region after sitting for an extended period 
  • sudden bouts of sharp, localized pain 
  • back pain that impedes your posture 
  • loss of sensation or weakness in the extremities 

Additionally, some symptoms indicate a medical emergency and require immediate treatment. Call 911 if you experience any of the following: 

  • sudden bladder or bowel-control problems 
  • back pain accompanied by fever 
  • back pain whose onset occurs after some sort of physical trauma 

Sciatica Surgery 

Though sciatica is colloquially called a spinal condition, it’s actually a symptom, a specific kind of radiating pain that stretches down both the buttocks and one leg. Sciatica doesn’t normally require surgery, but Mount Prospect, Illinois spine surgeons may recommend procedures if your pain stems from an underlying condition such as a lumbar disc herniation, central spinal stenosis, cauda equina syndrome, or a tumor. 

Scoliosis Treatment 

Because scoliosis typically presents in young patients, treatment normally takes a conservative course. Physicians will typically observe patients carefully over time and apply bracing as needed. However, spinal scoliosis that involves a 50-degree-or-more bend in adults (40 degrees or more in children and adolescents) typically requires surgery in order to avoid future organ damage. 

Spinal Fusion 

Our team of Mount Prospect spinal surgeons specializes in minimally invasive spinal procedures, and we always approach each case with a conservative, patient-education-focused orientation. In instances where we need to fuse two or more spinal discs, our physicians will always discuss all options and discuss how to get you back to maximal functioning.  

How Orthopedic Surgeons Can Help You 

No matter the situation, we here at The Spine Center have a singular goal: We want to help you regain as much pain-free movement as possible. And by using the latest research and the most high-tech, minimally invasive procedures, we believe we can help you get there. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you. 

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