Back Injuries & Conditions

A burst fracture is an injury where a vertebra, the primary bone of the spine, breaks into several pieces. The front portion of the vertebra (the vertebral body) shatters, which increases the risk of spinal cord or nerve injury. Burst fractures usually result from significant trauma, such as a car accident or severe fall.

A compression fracture is a break in your vertebrae (the bones in your spine). Over time, these fractures can lead to your spine collapsing or curving as weakened bones are unable to handle normal pressure. Compression fractures are common in individuals with osteoporosis.

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the cushion in your spine begins to wear away. Spinal discs act as a cushion to absorb shock between vertebrae, but a disc can lose its cushioning effect over time. The decreased cushioning lead to a loss of disc height and cause irritation or pinching of the nerves. A disc may also bulge or herniate, or the bones may start to rub together as the discs wear away, resulting in additional discomfort and nerve pressure.

Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal in the lower back narrows, leading to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. This narrowing may develop from aging, injury or ongoing degenerative changes. Over time, spinal discs lose moisture and strength, causing the vertebrae to shift or collapse and potentially leading to bone spurs or thickened tissues that crowd the spinal canal.

The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) connects the iliac bones (pelvis) to the sacrum, the lowest part of the spine above the tailbone. The SI joint helps absorb shock by preventing impactful forces from reaching the spine and can become degenerative during activities such as lifting, running, walking or lying on the affected side. Pain from the SI joint often feels similar to disc or lower back pain.

Scoliosis is a side-to-side curvature of the spine, where the spine rotates sideways instead of forming its natural forward-and-backward curve. It often appears as an “S” or “C” shape when viewed from behind, and its severity can range from mild (about 10 degrees) to severe (100 degrees or more). Individuals with scoliosis often don’t experience symptoms but may experience discomfort or changes in posture if the curve increases in severity.

Spinal tumors are abnormal growths of tissue, called neoplasms, and they are relatively rare. Neoplasms are commonly classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors may damage nearby bone tissue but do not spread to other tissues or parts of the body. However, malignant tumors can invade the vertebrae, which are the bones in your spine, and have the potential to spread to other organs.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra (a bone in the spine) slips or slides forward over the vertebra below it, causing spinal instability. This forward movement can compress nearby nerves or the spinal cord and lead to lower back pain, leg pain and symptoms such as numbness or tingling. Spondylolisthesis most often occurs in the lumbar spine (lower back) and may develop from sports-related injuries or age-related weakening of the bones, joints and ligaments. Genetics can also increase the risk of a spondy occurring, especially in individuals who participate in football, gymnastics and similar sports.

A spinal herniated disc—often referred to as a “slipped disc”—occurs when the soft, gel-like center of the disc (the nucleus pulposus) pushes through a tear in the outer layer (annulus fibrosus). As the gel-like substance leaks out, it can cause pressure on the spinal canal or nerve roots. Chemicals released from the damaged disc can also irritate surrounding nerves, leading to inflammation and pain. While herniated discs can occur in the thoracic (mid-back) area, they are more common in the lumbar spine (lower back), which typically experiences more stress.