Spine Surgeon/Back Doctor in Pensacola

Has a back injury impacted your day-to-day life? Back pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pains that can affect other regions of your body as well. Fortunately, the skilled spinal specialists at Orthopedic and Laser Spine Surgery (OLSS) in Pensacola, Florida, are eager to support you with award-winning, board-certified treatments that alleviate pain and discomfort and pave the way for fast rehabilitation. Our approach is personalized, experienced, and unique to your injuries. At OLSS, we empathize with our patients and help them regain their quality of life.

At our Pensacola, Florida branch, we utilize treatments that are conservative, innovative, and minimally invasive. When you schedule an appointment with us, our knowledgeable medical team will determine the cause of your back pain, use advanced imaging and testing for diagnosis, and recommend the best treatment plan for your specific injury.

Common Injuries That Lead to Back Pain

There are many ways that a back injury can occur. Because the back has so many parts—bones, muscles, connecting tissue—that extend from the neck to the tailbone, it can be hard to pinpoint the location of the injury specifically.

Back injuries generally occur during activities like sports, yard work, car accidents, lifting heavy objects, and accidental falls. Types of injuries can range from superficial bruising to breaks in the vertebrae. Here are a few common examples of back injuries.

Herniated Disks

A herniated disk results from overstraining the back, which leads to injury. The symptoms of a herniated disk are usually felt in the extremities, depending on where the injury is, since it is nerve-related. For instance, if you have a ruptured disk in the lower back, you will likely feel it in the legs. If the injury is in the upper back, like the neck, you will likely feel it in the arms, hands, and shoulders. Common causes of herniated disks are poor diet and exercise, genetics, aging, spinal trauma, and being overweight. Symptoms include:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning
• Loss of reflexes
• Loss of flexibility

Herniated disks are treated with conservative measures such as anti-inflammatory medications, ice/heat treatments, gentle exercise, and physical therapy. The OLSS spine specialists consider non-invasive surgical options only once these methods are exhausted.

Sprains and Strains

This type of injury causes inflammation due to overstretching, twisting, or tearing a ligament in your back. This inflammation causes the back muscles to spasm and impacts movement because it immobilizes the injured muscle. Symptoms of muscle sprains and strains include:

• Pain during movement
• Muscle cramping and spasms
• Loss of function or mobility

Some basic treatments a back doctor may implement to treat sprains include ice/heat treatment, compression treatment, and strongly encouraging rest.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a spine condition that impacts the lower spine and causes the vertebrae to slip forward on the vertebrae beneath it. The circumstances that can cause this condition include genetics, participating in sports, and spinal trauma. Symptoms of spondylolisthesis can be mild but can also progress into inhibiting daily activities. There are five grades of this condition, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Constant low back pain or local pain
• Radiating pain depending on where the condition is
• Stiffness in the low back and lower extremities
• Tenderness in the low back
• Pain in the thighs
• Tightness in the hamstrings and glutes

At OLSS, spine specialists prioritize conservative options such as physical therapy based on thorough testing and diagnosis for this condition. This includes exercises that build the abdominal core that helps support the spinal column as well as a back brace to give additional support. Medications such as anti-inflammatories and pain relievers are also considered during treatment. Once these methods have been exhausted, the medical team may suggest non-invasive surgical options.

Treatment Options at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery in Pensacola, FL

Many patients want to avoid surgery. That is why the medical staff at OLSS prioritizes conservative treatment methods first. Spine specialists carefully assess your condition, and if conservative treatments aren’t working for you, our minimally invasive treatments could be a better option for recovery. Below are the most common treatment options for non-invasive and minimally invasive options to improve your condition:

• Cancer pain treatment
• Stem cell injection therapy
• Epidural steroid injection
• Cervical disk replacement
• Microdiscectomy
• Facet fusions

These treatments are just a few potential options, and your condition might only require a more simple treatment option.

When to See a Spinal Specialist for Your Back Injury

If your spinal injury keeps you from living your daily life, it is time to see a knowledgeable spinal specialist for a personalized treatment plan. Sometimes, at-home remedies are no longer effective in treating your back injury. If your pain persists, disrupts your ability to sleep, or if you’re experiencing bladder or bowel control problems, it’s important to seek medical care to regain your quality of life.

Find a Skilled Spine Specialist to Resolve Your Back Pain in Pensacola, Florida

If you’re experiencing back pain, Orthopedic and Laser Spine Surgery (OLSS) in Pensacola has a highly skilled medical staff that specializes in creating specific treatment plans for their patient’s unique spinal injuries and conditions. OLSS prioritizes multi-faceted, conservative treatment options over surgical procedures to give you the most experienced, well-rounded care. To start your recovery from your back injury, call (855) 853-6542 or fill out our online contact form.