5 Signs You Should See an Orthopedic Spine Specialist

The spine is extremely important for the human body as it provides direct support to the body’s central structure. If the spine is injured or develops any conditions, the resulting back and neck pain can be debilitating and cause significant discomfort. Visit Redefine Healthcare if you are experiencing constant, burning or electric pain, which is affecting your life and movements, for professional help.   

Only a specialist can determine the reasons behind your pain and ensure your symptoms are not a sign of some underlying medical condition. Dr. Eric Freeman is an experienced and board-certified specialist and helps you relieve acute or chronic pain using FDA-approved and time-tested treatments.

A large population suffers from back pain. At times this pain goes away on its own without treatment, but in several cases, it persists or even worsens. Orthopedic spine specialists focus on the musculoskeletal system and the diseases and issues associated with the spine. Depending on the circumstances and the spinal conditions, specialists recommend treatment options, including medication, physical therapy, and minimally invasive surgery to address the issue, ease the pain and prevent further complications.

What Is an Orthopedic Spine Specialist?

Orthopedic spine specialists have the experience, knowledge, and skills to detect and analyze spinal conditions and perform surgery to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with spinal disorders. They provide comprehensive care for patients experiencing anything from chronic back pain to scoliosis and anything in between and use the most effective techniques to help them feel better. The specialists develop customized treatment plans for each patient, keeping in mind their unique problem. They are trained and equipped to detect and treat conditions impacting or resulting from the spine through injury, surgery, or other means.

Lower back pain is among the world’s leading causes of disability. People fall victim to back pain more than any other problem for various reasons. It may seem to be an everyday occurrence, but this discomfort should not be ignored. If it is left untreated, debilitating back pain can affect mobility and daily life activities. It is best to visit an orthopedic spine specialist if your experience frequent back pain or your back pain does not go away after six weeks.

5 Signs It Is Time to Visit an Orthopedic Spine Specialist

Knowing when it is time to see an orthopedic spine specialist is essential. It can save you from a lot of back pain as well as serious complications and loss of mobility in the long run.

Chronic Pain

Any pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks is categorized as chronic pain. If your back or spine is not getting better after several weeks and months, and you continue to experience flare-ups of pain, you should not waste more time and see an orthopedic spine specialist.

It is essential to know that acute pain does not last for long. It only occurs for a few days or weeks. The cause of pain also disappears after some time, and there is no more discomfort. If your back is still aching after four weeks, you may have subacute pain. This pain can last for up to 12 weeks. These types of pains can be fixed without surgery and only require pain-relieving medications and lifestyle changes.

Pain that persists even after the injuries or the underlying causes have been treated is chronic pain. It needs specialized medical attention to prevent future complications.

Bowel and Bladder Issues

Back nerve damage can cause abdominal pain and problems with digestion. If you find yourself running to the restroom or spending unusual time sitting on the toilet, it is time to see an orthopedic spine specialist.

Some of the issues that can affect the bladder, bowel, and back include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and nerve damage. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause abdominal cramping and extreme stool, which may increase your trips to the toilet, which can then lead to lower back problems. In some case, nerve damage in the back causes abdominal pain and affect digestion too.

Leg or Feet Pain

Pain or numbness in the legs or feet accompanied by back pain is not a good sign, and you must see a specialist as soon as possible. Pressure on the nerves or spine can lead to tingling sensations or weakness in the hip, legs, and feet. It usually results from a herniated disc that presses on the sciatic nerve and interferes with muscle leg control.

In some cases, cervical radiculopathy can also be the culprit. It occurs when a nerve root near the cervical vertebra is compressed. It causes pain and numbness in the lower regions. Most cases of disc herniation and cervical radiculopathy can be cured through conservative treatments, but if they are left untreated for a long time, surgery may be needed to address the problem. Only an orthopedic spine specialist can determine your symptoms and come up with the best solution for your symptoms.

Fever

If you are running a fever and have severe pain or discomfort in the lumbar region or thoracic spine, it is better to see a specialist. Fever accompanied by pain in the upper back may be a result of flu or other infection that has occurred right after a muscle strain or pull. Flu, fever, and other illnesses leave our bodies vulnerable or hypersensitive to pain, and even a slight discomfort may seem too much. However, back pain with fever can also be a sign of something more severe, such as cancer or bacterial infection.

Infections can start in the spine and spread to other organs causing discomfort in the abdominal and pelvic regions and radiating to the lower back. Cancer is almost always accompanied by fatigue, weight loss, and fevers. While cancer does not usually originate in the spine, other types of cancer can spread to the spine and nearby regions, resulting in back pain and fever. Visit your doctor if you experience fever and back pain, and the symptoms are occurring at the same time.

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Weight Loss

Shedding a few extra pounds is fine, but unexplained weight loss accompanied by back pain is not a healthy sign. If your rigorous workout is finally yielding desired results, but your back is killing you, it may be due to a lack of necessary nutrients in the body. Depriving your body of nutrients can lead to decreased bone density and spine misalignment that results in back pain.

Unintentional weight loss with severe discomfort in the back may be a sign of some underlying condition. As cancer spreads, the cancerous cells press against organs and other body parts, which results in pain and rapid loss of weight. It is essential to visit a back and spine doctor to have your dropping weight checked by an expert.

How an Orthopedic Spine Specialist Helps You Relieve Back Pain?

An orthopedic spine specialist is a highly qualified and trained medical professional who can help you with several types of spine conditions successfully. Your spine may be affected by any reasons, including aging, improper body mechanism, trauma or structural abnormalities, etc. Untreated back pain can turn serious and lead to long-term complications.

If you are experiencing specific symptoms, there is a good chance that seeing a back and spine doctor will help you find relief. The specialists figure out what is wrong and help to relieve the pain and accompanying symptoms with specific treatment options.

Schedule an appointment at Redefine Healthcare to see a spine specialist if you experience unusual symptoms that interfere with your routine activities and impact your quality of life. Back pain that does not get better after a few weeks or worsens despite home treatments needs specialized care. The spine doctors determine the causes of back pain and help you get on track to a full recovery with safe and effective pain management strategies.