This means the space between disks and vertebrae become smaller, while the discs can develop bony growth, which can result in spinal pressure, which in itself can result in back pain, as well as numbness in the lower back, and pain in the neck, as well as numbness in the arms and legs, all of which can be grouped under the medical problem of degenerative spine disorders. Having some knowledge of the various degenerative spine types can help in understanding the range of treatments available,

Stiffness in the neck

These various types of spinal disorders will usually begin with very minor back ache, perhaps in the low back, or perhaps with stiffness in the arms or neck, sometimes accompanied by bouts of chronic neck pain, back pain, or shoulder pain. It is then that someone usually starts to look for information regarding these disorders, perhaps looking for a way to stop back pain, or a way to cure neck pain.

However all these disorders are usually related to the spine in some way, and can be due to simple aging of the skeleton, resulting in spinal degeneration, or also to carrying out heavy manual labor, such as carrying heavy loads or working in an environment which puts pressure on the spine in some way. Sports injuries, or injuries caused by an automobile accident, including whiplash, can also be a cause of spinal injury, though it is usually the aging factor, mixed with some kind of long-term lifestyle that puts pressure on the spine that is the cause of spinal problems.

Spinal stenosis

Many degenerative spine diseases are in the lumbar or cervical spine, though they can also occur in the thoracic region. Spinal stenosis happens when the spinal canal narrows in certain parts, which leads to pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves within the spine itself. The spine will become painful, a condition usually referred to as cervical spinal stenosis or when the pain is in the lower back lumbar stenosis.

Further, sometimes the spine vertebrae can become dislocated, in which case the result can be degenerative spondylolisthesis, while a disorder that results in a curved neck is usually diagnosed as cervical lordosis. The symptoms are usually easy to spot, especially for cervical spinal stenosis, since there will be pains in the arms, which can result in problems with balance and physical coordination. With lumbar stenosis, this can result in lower back pain, and sometimes pain in the legs and also the buttocks. There is sometimes some tingling in the legs, something very common with degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Mild back pain

The first thing that will be done when seeking medical attention for spinal disorders of any kind will be a physical examination by an orthopedic specialist. In some cases a mild spinal disorder, which usually results in mild back pain, particularly in the lower back, can be solved by rest and some types of physical therapy.

However, in more serious cases there may need to be surgery carried out, such as cervical spine surgery, or lumbar back surgery, all of which will only be done once a wide range of therapies and investigative techniques have been carried out, including x-rays and CAT scans. In the case of children, some spinal disorders can occur at a very young age, sometimes straight from birth, including congenital scoliosis, which results in a curved spine.

Juvenile scoliosis

Juvenile scoliosis usually occurs in children from the age of about three up to 12 years, and is an essential that the child gets treatment as soon as possible so that some kind of support or surgery can be carried out before the skeletal frame grows to maturity.

As with all types of spine disorder, early treatment is one of the best ways of curing the disorder, or at least controlling back pain, and an early visit to a specialist is highly recommended. As soon as the tests are carried out the specialist or physician will be able to determine the best way forward for each particular patient, with this includes physical therapy, support, or some kind of surgery.