Back Injuries Specialist

What is a back injury?

Your back features a complex network of bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Usually, these components work together, allowing you to walk, run, and participate in athletic activity. 

The soft tissues that make up your musculoskeletal system are incredibly tough, but they aren’t invincible. Common causes of back injuries include:

• Sports-related injuries
• Automobile accidents
• Poor posture
• Falls

You might also suffer a back injury as a result of your job. For example, if you regularly climb ladders or lift heavy objects, you’re also at risk of experiencing a back injury.

What are some common back injuries?

The caring surgeons at Associated Surgical Center regularly diagnose and treat several different types of back injuries, including:

Sprains and strains

If you tear a ligament in your back or overstretch a muscle, you might experience a strain or sprain. Both of these injuries cause swelling, inflammation, and pain. As your inflammation worsens, you might also experience muscle spasms. Muscle spasms usually cause severe pain and limit your mobility.

Herniated discs

A soft, disc-shaped cushion sits between each of your vertebrae. If the exterior of a disc weakens, its soft inner portion can push outward and place pressure on one or more nerves in your spine. Ultimately, this causes pain, but it may also result in tingling or burning sensations that run from your lower back down your leg, or from your neck into your arm.

Fractured vertebrae

The two most common types of vertebral fractures are compression fractures and burst fractures. Common causes of fractured vertebrae include osteoporosis, kyphosis, and automobile accidents. 

How are back injuries diagnosed?

To diagnose a back injury, your Associated Surgical Center provider does a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you a series of questions about your symptoms. Your provider might also order a series of X-rays or an MRI to get a closer look at the vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments in your spine. 

How are back injuries treated?

At Associated Surgical Center, the team treats back injuries that don’t respond to conservative measures of care, such as lifestyle changes and physical therapy. 

The type of surgery you’ll most benefit from depends on the severity of your injury, but the team offers both minimally invasive and traditional surgical options.

If a back injury is negatively affecting your quality of life, request an appointment today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.