| MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine |
Spine
The spine (backbone) is a well-protected bone system extending from the base of the head to the pelvis. With its unique stacking-blocks vertebrae, the spine allows us to move fluidly from our hips through our shoulders, bending, twisting and turning as we need to. It’s responsible for our posture and helps support upper body strength.
Sometimes things go wrong with the spine. Whether it’s a condition that a person was born with, a degenerative disease that developed in adult-hood or the result of an accident, spine problems can fundamentally change your life.
Common problems with the spine
Accidents, aging or the onset of disease and other conditions are responsible for the most common problems with the spine.
Injury
- While the spine is well-protected, its not immune to serious injury. The jolt and stress of an accident combined with impact can cause herniated discs, broken vertebrae, nerve damage or torn cartilage.
- Spondylolysis, or stress fracture of the pars
- Spondylolisthesis (when a vertebrae slips forward or backward)
- Sciatica
Aging
- Herniated discs
- Osteoporosis
- Degenerating ligaments and discs
Conditions
- Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine)
- Kyphosis (hunching or forward curve of the spine)
- Spinal stenosis (when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves)
- Degenerative spine disease
Diagnosis at MultiCare
Your initial appointment with a MultiCare physician will include a full evaluation of your symptoms and recent activities. Establishing the source of the problem is the first step and will help determine your course of care. We may require x-rays, an MRI or a CT scan.
Treatment at MultiCare
MultiCare physicians are experienced in a wide range of treatment options for spine pain, injury and aging, which might include:
Dr. Dawei Lu Discusses Degenerative Disc Disease
Providers that Specialize in Spines
Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical information with your personal information to make a wise health decision.
Should I have surgery for a herniated disk?
Should I have surgery to treat spinal stenosis?