Spine Care Services
Spinal pain can interfere with daily activities, limiting mobility and reducing overall quality of life. At Saint Vincent Hospital, we offer comprehensive spine care to help patients find relief and regain movement. Whether you experience chronic back pain or a more serious spine disorder, we are here to provide personalized spine treatment options tailored to your needs.
What Causes Spine Pain?
Various spine disorders can affect the spine's structure, leading to spinal pain and reduced mobility. Some of the most common spine conditions include:
- Arthritis or age-related bone changes, including spinal stenosis and herniated discs
- Pinched nerve (radiculopathy)
- Spinal instability such as from degenerative discs, osteoarthritis or trauma
- Lumbar disc disease
- Spinal injuries, such as spinal concussions or spinal cord compression
- Conditions like scoliosis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Hand clumsiness and balance issues (myelopathy)
- Pain in the legs when walking (neurogenic claudication)
- Infections
- Tumors
Back pain is among the most frequently reported medical concerns in the United States. It can range from a mild, persistent ache to severe, radiating pain that extends to the legs, buttocks or abdomen. It may develop suddenly due to an injury or gradually due to a degenerative spine condition, such as arthritis. Common types of back pain include:
- Acute pain – Appears suddenly and lasts a few days to weeks
- Subacute pain – Persists between 4 and 12 weeks
- Chronic pain – Lasts longer than 12 weeks and often occurs daily
Symptoms can vary but may include difficulty lifting objects and stiffness or numbness in the legs. If you are experiencing ongoing pain or discomfort related to a spine disorder, especially if accompanied by tingling, fever or unexplained weight loss, it may be time to visit a spine doctor. Without timely spine treatment, these symptoms can worsen, making early intervention crucial for maintaining spinal care and overall well-being.
What Are the Common Signs That I Might Have a Spine Issue?
Spinal conditions can present with various symptoms, depending on the severity and underlying cause. Common indicators of a spine disorder include ongoing neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) pain, stiffness that limits mobility, muscle spasms and difficulty maintaining proper posture.
Pain radiating into the arms, legs or chest, along with numbness, tingling or weakness, may signal nerve compression or a herniated disc. Conditions such as sciatica or radiculopathy can cause sharp, electric shocklike sensations. If you are experiencing chronic discomfort, particularly after an injury or accident, consulting a spine doctor is crucial to rule out fractures or other serious concerns. Seeking timely spine treatment at a spine care center can help prevent complications and support long-term spinal care.
How Does a Spine Doctor Diagnose Spinal Conditions?
A spine doctor evaluates spine conditions using a combination of methods. The process begins with a detailed review of your medical and family history, including questions about your back pain's intensity, location and triggers. During a physical examination, the doctor will assess posture, range of motion, muscle strength and reflex responses.
If additional assessment is necessary, imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) scans or bone scans may be performed to identify fractures, soft tissue injuries or abnormalities in the spinal canal. Additional tests, like EMG (electromyography), measure muscle electrical activity to detect nerve issues, while blood tests may help identify infections or inflammatory conditions.
Using these diagnostic tools and a patient-centered approach, our spine care team develops a customized treatment plan tailored to the underlying cause of your symptoms.
What Types of Spine Conditions Does Saint Vincent Hospital Treat?
Saint Vincent Hospital provides comprehensive spine treatment for various spine conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine. Our approach emphasizes conservative spine care, beginning with core muscle strengthening and nonsurgical treatments designed to enhance mobility and improve body mechanics. If surgery is necessary, our experienced spinal surgeons specialize in minimally invasive procedures tailored to each patient’s needs, promoting faster recovery and reduced discomfort.
We perform spinal decompression, fusion and advanced oncology treatments. We also provide comprehensive care for complex spinal conditions, offering reconstructive spine surgeries to help restore function. To support our patients throughout their journey, we offer an educational program with pre-and post-operative guidance, including physical therapy, brace fitting and home health services. Our goal is to create personalized spine treatment plans that allow patients to return to work and daily activities as quickly and safely as possible.
Our advanced spine services for spine disorders and conditions include:
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Lumbar decompression with or without fusion
- Microdiscectomy
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
- Posterior cervical decompression with or without fusion
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF)
- Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF)
- Disc replacement
- Mini-open anterior interbody fusion
Find a Spine Doctor in Worcester
The spine is vital to movement, but a spine condition can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility. If back pain affects your daily life, now is the time to consult a spine doctor at Saint Vincent Hospital for experienced and compassionate spine treatment.
Our dedicated spine care team is with you every step, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. We provide comprehensive spinal care through some of the latest procedures and technology available today. Whether you need conservative therapy or specialized spine services, we are here to help.
Healthcare is better together. Let us explore your spine treatment options. Call 866-494-3627 or connect with a spine doctor here. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
