So many people suffer with all types of back pain, and it often gets in the way of doing simple daily activities or causes problems performing at work. OrthoConnecticut’s Spine Team is highly regarded as one of the finest in the region, and our physicians, Justin Paul, MD, PhD and Abiola Atanda, MD, care for patients of all ages with debilitating or simple spine issues. Contrary to what you may believe, the majority of spine patients are treated without surgery, and when surgery is required, the practice uses minimally invasive procedures whenever possible.
Older adults commonly have age-related back, neck, and spinal pain or stiffness from cartilage, joints, and discs wearing down from everyday usage or losing water and shrinking as we age. Over time, we can also experience narrowing of the space around our spine, or spinal stenosis, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves causing symptoms ranging from pain, numbness, tingling to progressive loss of function. Spinal arthritis, also a degenerative condition, can occur when the joints above and below the vertebrae begin to degenerate. In addition to age-related wearing down of the disc and other tissues, this can result in an abnormal curvature of the spine, commonly referred to as Degenerative Scoliosis. This condition can cause a debilitating functional problem. Some adults experience decreased bone mass – osteopenia or osteoporosis, which leaves us more vulnerable to vertebral fractures even with a low-impact injury or fall.
If you experience neck and back pain, don’t ignore it! If it’s age-related or due to injury, there are many treatments that can help and it doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery. Our Spine Team is here to help you get back to living the life you love!
