Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain?

Back pain can affect any part of your spine, which is made up of three sections — the neck (cervical spine), upper back (thoracic spine), and lower back (lumbar spine). Back pain is most common in the lumbar spine.

You can get back pain from an injury like a fall, an accident at work or in your car, or when you’re playing sports. You can easily overstress your back by using incorrect techniques when lifting or trying to carry something that’s too awkward or heavy.

You might also have a condition like scoliosis. This condition is also called curvature of the spine and is diagnosed when your spine curves to the left, right, or in both directions. Another of the most frequent causes of chronic back pain is an age-related deterioration of the spine.

How does age increase the risk of back pain?

As you get older, your chances of experiencing back pain increase because the structures in your spine start to break down. The discs that cushion the vertebrae (the bones) in your spine dry out and flatten, and the cartilage protecting the facet joints in your spine wears away. These problems lead to conditions like:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Spondylolisthesis (slipping vertebrae)
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Facet joint arthritis
• Bone spurs
• Sciatica

Sciatica is a common back pain trigger that usually travels down one leg. It’s a form of radiculopathy — pain and other symptoms arising from pinched or damaged nerves in your spine.

In addition to pain, radiculopathy causes other unpleasant problems, ranging from numbness and weakness to prickling and burning sensations.

How is back pain treated?

At South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine, Dr. Kaufman first determines the root cause of your back pain. This enables him to select the most effective treatments. Treatment choices include:

• Physical therapy
• Manual manipulation
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation (rhizotomy)
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
• Spinal cord stimulation

Dr. Kaufman creates a treatment plan for you that addresses the cause of your back pain wherever possible. Most patients find these approaches highly beneficial in relieving back pain. If, however, you aren’t improving, Dr. Kaufman can refer you to a spine surgeon or another specialist for assessment.

To find an effective solution to your back pain, call South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine today or book an appointment online.