Conditions

Most people with mild disc herniation will improve on their own in about six to eight weeks. For other people, the pain may be more intense and persistent and the following may help alleviate symptoms:

     – Physical therapy

     –  Chiropractic care 

     –  Anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers

In a small group of people, symptoms don’t respond to conservative measures or time. When this is the case, Dr. Ani may recommend surgery, particularly if there is persistent pain or weakness in your legs. When surgery is indicated, it is usually aimed at reducing the pressure from the herniated disc on surrounding tissues and is especially focused on relieving any pressure on the nerve roots as they exit from the spinal cord. This should relieve any pain or sensation traveling down into your legs.

Fortunately, recent technological advancements in spinal surgery have led to much less invasive procedures for disc herniation. Afterward, most patients enjoy a faster recovery.

The spine in your neck area is called the cervical spine and is made up of the first seven vertebrae in the spine, starting just below the skull and ending just above the thoracic spine (upper back). Your cervical spine is very mobile, with the ability to turn in many different directions.

Unlike the rest of the spine, there are special openings, called vertebral foramen, in each vertebra of your cervical spine. These openings provide a passageway for arteries to carry blood to the brain.

Once Dr. Ani diagnoses the cause of your neck pain, he will create a customized treatment plan to both relieve your pain and heal your body. Depending on the severity of your condition, he may prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers to reduce your discomfort. He can also provide spinal injections to deliver strong anti-inflammatories directly to your spine or to block the nerves sending pain signals to your brain.

When surgery is necessary, Dr. Ani can perform advanced and minimally invasive surgical procedures to repair your spine.

Dr. Nasser Ani provides customized treatment for spinal stenosis depending on your symptoms and the location of the narrowed part of your spine. He prescribes medication to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and to manage your pain. Dr. Nasser Ani might also recommend and perform spinal injections, epidural, or facet injections to relieve your pain.

You may also benefit from chiropractic care with physical therapy to relieve pain and to build strength and flexibility in the muscles surrounding your spine. This regimen can also improve spinal support, improve your balance, and reduce your risk of falls or other accidents. 

In severe cases, Dr. Nasser Ani may recommend surgery to increase the space available in your nerves. These operations are often referred to as decompression procedures such as laminectomy, laminotomy, and laminoplasty. Other advanced surgical techniques Dr. Ani uses to correct the problem include minimally invasive cervical fusion and cervical disc replacement to maintain the range of motion in the neck.

He performs both traditional and minimally invasive surgeries, depending on the severity of your condition.

Cervical Stenosis may cause neck or arm pain, numbness, and weakness in both hands, loss of coordination when walking or during other activities, and/or muscle spasms in the legs. Cervical spinal stenosis may require surgery, possibly urgent or even emergency surgery.

Lumbar Stenosis may produce lower back pain and leg discomfort or pain. Surgery may be necessary if lumbar stenosis limits normal activity, causes leg weakness and/or numbness, makes standing or walking difficult, or affects your ability to control bowel and bladder functions.

Thoracic Stenosis – The thoracic spine in the upper back has some unique characteristics that make thoracic spinal stenosis a little different than stenosis in other areas. Because the 12 thoracic vertebrae connect to the 12 sets of ribs that protect our major organs, the thoracic spine is more fixed than the cervical or lumbar areas. The spinal canal is narrower than the rest of the spine, too. Thoracic stenosis typically is accompanied by stenosis in the lumbar area and sometimes also the cervical spine.

Dr. Ani provides customized treatment for spinal stenosis depending on your symptoms and the location of the narrowed part of your spine. He prescribes medication to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and to manage your pain. Dr. Ani might also recommend and perform spinal injections, sacroiliac joint injection, epidural, or facet injections to relieve your pain.

You may also benefit from chiropractic care with physical therapy to relieve pain and to build strength and flexibility in the muscles surrounding your spine. This can also improve spinal support, improve your balance, and reduce your risk of falls or other accidents. 

In severe cases, Dr. Ani may recommend surgery to increase the space available in your nerves. These operations are often referred to as decompression procedures such as laminectomy, laminotomy, and laminoplasty. He performs both traditional and minimally invasive surgeries, depending on the severity of your condition. In addition, Dr. Ani also performs both minimally invasive and open spinal fusions to stabilize an unstable spine.

In some cases, a herniated disc is due to age-related, gradual degeneration. As you age, your discs lose water and become inflexible, which weakens them and makes them more likely to tear. You might also develop a herniated disc after a traumatic event when you lift something heavy or bend or twist your back suddenly, after a motor vehicle accident, or work-related injuries.

Some of the risk factors for a herniated disc include being overweight or having a physically demanding occupation that puts additional stress on your back. You can reduce your risk by staying physically active to both maintain a healthy body weight and increase your core strength.

Once Dr. Ani diagnoses the cause of your neck pain, he will create a customized treatment plan to both relieve your pain and heal your body. Depending on the severity of your condition, he may prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers to reduce your discomfort. He can also provide spinal injections to deliver strong anti-inflammatories directly to your spine or to block the nerves sending pain signals to your brain.

When surgery is necessary, Dr. Ani can perform advanced and minimally invasive surgical procedures to repair your spine.