Specialized Care for Spine Conditions

Your spine is an incredible structure that provides support and flexibility for your entire body. It's made up of 33 vertebrae, each of which is separated by a cushion-like disc. Our orthopedic specialists at OrthoCarolina, the better choice in orthopedics, are here to promote the ongoing wellness of your spine, whether it's preventative care, or treatment for an injury.

Keeping Your Spine in Shape

Maintaining a healthy spine is essential for the overall health and well-being of your body. The three biggest favors you can do for your spine include:

• Having an active lifestyle 
• Practicing good posture
• Maintaining a healthy weight

One of the best ways to keep your spine healthy is to stay physically active, focusing on sustainable exercise at all stages of life. Regular exercise can help strengthen the muscles that support your spine and improve your posture.

While a big part of good posture is staying active, you can also practice good posture even when you’re inactive, since slouching or hunching can place unnecessary strain on your spine.

Another way to keep your spine in top shape is to maintain a healthy weight. Eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your spine healthy.

Essentially, the pillars of a healthy spine are all related–exercise, proper posture, and a healthy weight all feed into each other. Orthopedic specialists at our conveniently located care centers can help with management of any of these concerns, whether you’re a working professional worried about extra hours spent at a desk or an athlete who spends most of the day on your feet.

Common Conditions of the Spine

Back Pains and Aches

By far, the most common spine condition that orthopedic specialists treat is back pain. Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Muscle strains
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis

While back injuries are always a risk, the most common risk factor for back pain is related to a sedentary lifestyle. Oftentimes, ongoing back pain isn’t caused by an acute injury, but rather related to our three pillars mentioned above: exercise, posture, and weight.

Treatment for back pain may include:

• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Surgery

At OrthoCarolina, you’ll have access to whatever care your team of experienced physicians decides is right for you, and you can be sure that our highly trained staff practices compassionate, patient-focused treatments that take every factor into account.

Scoliosis of the Spine

Another common spine condition is scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can be present at birth or may develop later in life. Treatment for scoliosis may include bracing or surgery in some cases.

We have a specialized team that focuses on degenerative orthopedic conditions such as scoliosis. You can review the specialized services from the spine surgeons and physicians at OrthoCarolina, and make an appointment with our team.

Herniated Discs and Degenerated Discs 

As we mentioned above, the 33 vertebrae in your spine are separated by cushion-like discs. These discs are susceptible to injury or wear and tear over time.

Herniated discs. A herniated disc occurs when the cushion-like disc between the vertebrae ruptures, allowing the inner gel-like material to leak out. Treatment for a herniated disc may include physical therapy, medication, or surgery in severe cases.

Degenerative disc. This spine condition occurs when the discs between your spine’s vertebrae begin to break down over time. This can lead to pain and discomfort in the back and neck. Treatment for degenerative disc disease also typically includes physical therapy, medication, or surgery in some cases.

If surgery is the answer to your spine ailments, OrthoCarolina hosts an incredible team of orthopedic surgeons that specialize in surgery to treat conditions related to the spine. You can entrust the care of this essential part of your body to our capable hands, and expect dedicated care before, during, and post-surgery.

Access to Spine Care

Whether you’re a serious athlete, maintain an active lifestyle with recreational exercise, or are just starting  a new wellness regimen, we are all candidates for regular check-ups on our spines.

OrthoCarolina provides accessible care to patients in every walk of life, whether you’re looking for help with starting a new activity, want to add orthopedic care to your annual check-up, or require specialized treatment for spine-related injuries, we are here to help.