Spine Surgery
Northeast Orthopaedics has Orthopaedic Surgeons who specialize in surgery of the neck and back. Drs. John Whalen and Bill Montgomery bring this important skill to our practice. Drs. Luke Rigolosi and Charles Buttaci ,board-certified physiatrists certified in acute pain management, provide non-surgical interventions to treat your back and neck pain.
The spinal column consists of 33 bones called vertebrae and cushions between the bones called intervertebral discs. These discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal column. Many muscles and ligaments also provide support to the spinal column. A major purpose of the spinal column is to protect the spinal cord and the many nerves that branch off of the spinal cord. The nerves transmit signals to and from your brain to the various parts of your body.
Pressure on these nerves can produce pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and/or weakness in different parts of your body. The pressure can be caused by several factors:
- Discs that bulge out between the vertebrae (herniated disc)
- Fractures of the spine
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis)
- Abnormal growths (tumors)
- Infection (abscess)
- Blood Collection (hematoma)
The vast majority of people with neck and back pain are treated in a conservative manner without surgery. This may include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and exercise, braces, traction, and rest. However, when surgery is necessary Drs. Whalen and Montgomery are both fellowship-trained in spinal surgery and perform a variety of procedures, including kyphoplasty.
Symptoms of possible spinal problems include:
- Radiating pain down the arms or legs
- Weakness of the arms or legs
- Numbness of the arms or legs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
If you think Drs Whalen, Montgomery, Rigolosi, or Buttaci can help you, call our office at (518) 489-BONE for an appointment.
Additional links for information regarding spinal problems and surgery:
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