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UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center spine surgeons and specialists provide comprehensive care to patients with spine disorders, injuries, deformities and other conditions that cause neck and back pain. 

Some of the conditions they treat include:

Our Spine Pain Treatment Approach

Our physicians encourage patients to exhaust non-surgical treatment options, including physical therapy, medications, injections, acupuncture or massage, before considering surgery.

However, if persistent pain affects your quality of life or if other problems develop, neck or back surgery may be necessary. Our experienced spine surgeons develop individualized treatment plans to help patients return to a healthy, active lifestyle.

The Surgery Center at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center is equipped with advanced technology for complex orthopaedic and spinal surgery cases. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive surgical techniques, using small incisions to reach the site of the spine that needs correcting.

Causes of Neck and Back Pain

We treat a number of degenerative spine disorders, guiding you towards the best treatment possible. Common disorders include:

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a relatively common, normal part of aging. This occurs when the disc (the cushions) in between the vertebra (the bones) in your back or neck wear out. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Treatments: Physical therapy, injections, bracing and surgery in severe cases are among the options. Surgery involves removing the damaged disc, placing a spacer and fusing that portion of the spine.

Disc Herniation

The disc acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is composed of a tough outer structure and a softer, jelly like inner structure that provides the "cushion." When this softer portion leaks out, it is called a disc herniation.

Treatment: Surgical management to remove the leaked material may be accomplished through a variety of techniques including minimally invasive procedures.

Myelopathies

This condition is caused by spinal cord compression usually in the neck area. This can cause pain, weakness and trouble with walking and fine motor skills.

Treatment: Myelopathies can be surgically treated with a decompression and may include a spinal fusion.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain traveling down your leg. This can be caused by a disc herniation, degenerative diseases, spondylolisthesis and in rare cases tumors or infections. It generally results in nerve compression.

Treatments: Sciatica may be treated with surgery by removing the cause of the compression by taking out a portion of the disc, in the case of a disc herniation, or by removing part of the bone or bone spur. Learn more about sciatica.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is when the spine curves sideways into an "S" shape. While it usually begins in childhood, the pain can last into adulthood.

Treatment: A spine surgeon can work with patients of all ages to develop a customized plan for management and treatment options.

Spinal Stenosis

This is a narrowing of the spine canal, which may compress nerve roots or your spinal cord. It is caused by a number of conditions, and you can also be born with it. However, it usually occurs as a process of aging and is most common in patients over 50 years of age.

Treatment: Most surgical treatments consist of removing the structures that may be causing the stenosis. Learn more about stenosis.

Spine Tumors

A growth that develops within the spinal canal or within the bones of the spine may be cancerous or noncancerous.

Treatment: Surgery to remove the tumor can be in either a minimally invasive or open, depending on the individual factors of the tumor. If it is cancerous, we'll work with your oncologist to develop a long-term plan at UM BWMC's Tate Cancer Center.

Spondylolisthesis

This is a slipping forward of one vertebrae on to another. You can be born with this condition, or it can be a degenerative disorder (from wear and tear) or from repetitive injuries. Common symptoms may include back pain and in some cases leg pain.

Treatment: Surgical correction involves decompression and fusion.

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