Our specialty-trained spine doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ spine injuries and conditions.

Spine doctors have decided to focus on one of the most complex regions of the human body. Not only must they understand how each of the spine’s 33 bones functions but they also must have significant knowledge about all the tissues that surround the spine, support it, and affect it.

Then there is the spinal cord, which is enclosed within the spine. The spinal cord is made up of bundles of nerves that begin in the brain and reach down the spinal column. Spine doctors must understand how to expertly diagnose and treat issues that affect the spinal cord, in addition to the bones and muscles of the spine.

Spine pain can develop for any number of reasons—for instance, if a disc bulges out of place, when the spine itself is deformed, or when bones begin to rub together due to degeneration. For these reasons and many others, it’s important to seek out a doctor who has a depth and breadth of experience dealing with spinal issues.

When It’s Time to Seek Spine Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with spine problems typically have:

• Back has hunched appearance
• Back pain when turning
• Hard to stand up straight
• Lower back or buttock pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Pain radiating down to the legs
• Pain when walking or using the back
• Severe back or neck pain
• Stiffness
• Weakness in the arms, hands, or legs
• Unusual spinal curve in your lower back

If any of these symptoms describe your issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these spinal conditions or injuries:

• Bulging disc
• Cauda equina syndrome (CES)
• Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)
• Compression fracture
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis
• Herniated or slipped disc
• Kyphosis
• Lordosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Thoracic or lumbar spine fracture

Spine pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If the pain and underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our spine specialists and set up a consultation.