Spine and Neck Conditions

Spine & Neck Conditions We Treat in New Jersey

The spine is among the most important structures in the body. It provides support, enables mobility, and lets the brain and body communicate. Conditions that impact the spine can be life-altering. NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute specializes in providing minimally invasive spine surgery for a full range of neck and spine conditions using cutting-edge technology. At locations throughout New Jersey in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, Freehold, and Hainesport, we provide personalized treatment to help patients return to a life without pain.

Cervical Spine Conditions We Treat in New Jersey

The cervical spine, or neck, begins at the base of the skull and ends at the shoulders. It is simultaneously the most delicate part of your spine and one of the most crucial. The cervical spine is responsible for supporting the head while enabling a full range of movement.

Neck pain can be debilitating, preventing patients from moving their heads comfortably and living life to the fullest. NU-Spine treats a full range of cervical spine conditions to provide relief and help patients get back to pain-free living:

• Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease: This condition occurs when spinal discs wear down due to age or injury. They become thin and brittle, reducing shock absorption and allowing vertebrae to rub against one another.
• Cervical Facet Syndrome: Facet joints stabilize the neck while providing flexibility. Arthritis, traumatic injury, or repeated stress can cause cartilage around these joints to become inflamed, resulting in pain and tenderness.
• Cervical Herniated Disc: This occurs when the outer layer of a spinal disc tears, allowing the soft nucleus to leak out. The leak may pinch root nerves or compress the spinal cord, causing intense pain, tingling, or numbness.
• Cervical Slipped Disc: In some cases, spinal discs may also slip out of place. If the slipped disc touches against the spinal cord or a sensitive nerve, it can cause sharp shooting pain, numbness, weakness, and burning or tingling sensations.
• Pinched Cervical Nerve: Also known as cervical radiculopathy, this occurs when a nerve root is compressed. The compression impedes its ability to send and receive signals, interfering with the arms’ sensation and motor ability.
• Cervical Stenosis: Vertebral bones degenerate over time. Wear and tear causes their shape to change, gradually narrowing the spinal canal. This narrowing may compress the spinal cord, causing symptoms of myelopathy.
• Cervical Kyphosis: Also called military neck, this is an abnormal C-shaped curve in the neck. It can create visible deformity while interfering with a patient’s ability to perform ordinary tasks like turning their head or swallowing.
• Cervical Myelopathy: The spinal cord carries information between the body and brain. When the cord is placed under pressure, its ability to function correctly is impacted. Symptoms may be felt anywhere in the body.
• Cervical Radiculopathy: Also known as a pinched cervical nerve, this occurs when a nerve root becomes compressed, inflamed, or damaged. The damage causes faulty nerve signals that affect senses and reflexes in the arms.
• Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Whether caused by sports, a car accident, infection, or a birth injury, damage directly to the spinal cord can be debilitating. Depending on its location, symptoms can range from pain to total paralysis.
• Neck Injury: Even mild-seeming neck injuries are serious. Whiplash may cause unseen internal damage to muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues surrounding the spine. It can also create inflammation around the facet joints.
• Neck Pain: There are many potential causes for neck pain, from injury to nerve compression or arthritis. An accurate diagnosis is essential to providing the right treatment. Speak with the specialists at NU-Spine if you are experiencing pain in your neck.

Thoracic Spine Conditions We Treat in New Jersey

The thoracic spine extends from the shoulders to the base of the rib cage. It is the least flexible part of the spine, owing to its role in supporting the torso and protecting its vital organs.

This inflexibility makes the thoracic spine vulnerable to injury. Limited range of movement can lead to higher rates of muscle strain and trauma due to overextension. Degenerative diseases also affect the middle back, impacting its ability to support the body effectively. Our team at NU-Spine offers treatment for a variety of conditions that affect the thoracic spine, including:

• Complex Spinal Deformity: Most spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, are most evident in the thoracic region. They may also carry severe consequences by interfering with healthy organ development or operation.
• Thoracic Disc Herniation: A compromised spinal disc may begin to leak core fluid. This reduces the cushioning material between vertebrae, allowing them to rub against one another, and can also press or impinge against spinal nerves.
• Thoracic Kyphosis: Kyphosis is a common type of spinal deformity that results in an exaggerated forward lean, or a hunchback. Severe kyphosis may lead to motor skill impairment, reduced organ function, and body image problems.
• Thoracic Myelopathy: This condition occurs when the spinal cord in your thoracic region becomes compressed. It progresses slowly, eventually causing leg weakness and problems with coordination and reflexes.
• Thoracic Radiculopathy: Like myelopathy, this occurs when a root nerve is pinched or compressed. Depending on which nerve bundle is affected, radiculopathy in the thoracic region may affect the chest, arms, back, or internal organs.
• Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: Though the spinal cord is well protected in the thoracic region, it is still susceptible to damage after an accident or serious fall. Spinal cord injuries vary in severity, with symptoms ranging from pain to loss of sensation or limb function.
• Pinched Thoracic Nerve: Also called radiculopathy, this occurs when nerves in the back become compressed. This pressure interferes with normal nerve function, resulting in pain, unusual sensations, and loss of muscle control or reflexes.

Lumbar Spine Conditions We Treat in New Jersey

The lumbar region is the lower back, extending from beneath the ribcage down to the hips. It is a heavy-working section, responsible for supporting the weight of the upper body while providing most of its flexibility.

This constant pressure, compared with extreme mobility, means the lumbar spine is especially vulnerable to conditions caused by stress. Lower back pain can significantly impact a patient’s ability to live freely, which is why it’s essential to seek treatment from an expert. NU-Spine addresses a range of lumbar spine conditions, such as:

• Back Pain: There are many possible reasons for pain in your lower back, including deformity, degeneration, injury, or nerve compression. An accurate diagnosis is necessary for the development of an effective treatment plan.
• Failed Back Syndrome: Most people recover from surgery without complication. In some cases, however, spine surgery may not provide relief. Failed back syndrome refers to side effects and continued pain that arise from a failed surgery.
• Flat Back Syndrome: The lower back has a natural curve that allows it to support the body effectively. Flat back syndrome occurs when the spine loses this curve, often due to arthritis, degeneration, or a fracture.
• Lumbar Deformity: This refers to any abnormal shape in the spine, including flat back syndrome, kyphosis, or scoliosis. Severe deformity can interfere with spine function and cause insecurity about one’s body and appearance.
• Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease: As a person ages, the discs in their back dry out and become brittle. The discs no longer provide the padding the spine needs, reducing the spine’s ability to absorb shock and bend without pain.
• Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease: Also called osteoarthritis, this occurs when cartilage in the lower back wears down to age. It loses its smooth and supple surface, creating friction that results in pain when bending the joint.
• Lumbar Herniated Disc: Disc herniation occurs when a spinal disc ruptures, allowing its core to leak outward. A herniated disc provides insufficient cushioning between vertebrae, and it may compress the spinal cord or root nerves.
• Lumbar Kyphosis: This refers to an abnormal curve in the lower back. Related to flat back syndrome, this condition can reduce a patient’s mobility and compromise their balance when walking or standing.
• Lumbar Myelopathy: The spinal cord is composed of an extremely sensitive bundle of nerves. When it receives pressure from a herniated disc or stenosis, its function is impeded. The result can be extreme pain and reduced reflexes.
• Lumbar Radiculopathy: Also called nerve root compression, this occurs when a nerve root is damaged or pinched. The nerve roots cannot send or receive signals as normal, creating problems with senses and limb function.
• Lumbar Slipped Disc: Like a herniated disc, a slipped disc occurs when the spinal disc shifts out of place. It may also have a small rupture. This reduces the cushioning between vertebrae, making movements painful.
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: This refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal, often due to age-related degeneration or a traumatic injury. Extreme stenosis may squeeze the spinal cord, leading to myelopathy or radiculopathy.
• Lumbar Sprain: When ligaments are stressed, they can stretch or tear away from where they are attached. Sprains most often happen due to traumatic injury or gradual overuse in sports or the workplace.
• Pars Defect: Also called spondylolysis, this refers to a stress fracture in the lower back. It may manifest initially as either a thin fracture or a full break, though the fracture progressively worsens over time.
• Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: A laminectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat stenosis and other spine conditions. While most are completed successfully without complication, some patients do not experience relief.
• Sacroiliac Joint Disease: The sacroiliac joints connect the lower spine and pelvis. Sacroiliac joint disease occurs when the cartilage in these joints breaks down due to age, allowing the bones to rub against one another painfully.
• Spondylosis: Also known as spinal osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disorder, Spondylosis refers to an age-related breakdown of cartilage in the facet joints. It commonly results in back pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
• Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury: The lumbar spine is susceptible to fracture due to the stress it receives by supporting the body. It may also be damaged by degeneration, tumors, or cysts. Injuries vary in severity but are almost always serious.
• Pinched Lumbar Nerve: Also known as lumbar radiculopathy, this condition occurs when one of the root nerves is pinched as it leaves the spinal cord. This interferes with its function, causing problems with sensation and motor ability.

Our Minimally Invasive Approach to Treatment

NU-Spine specializes in treating patients with the least invasive methods available. Most spine conditions will improve with a conservative approach utilizing rest, physical therapy, supportive braces, and medication. If the pain persists after these treatments, we may recommend surgery.

Branko Skovrlj, MD is a world-renowned spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery. These procedures use specialized cameras and tools, allowing the doctor to operate through tiny incisions. These procedures offer a variety of benefits over traditional open surgery:

• Faster, safer surgeries
• Less post-operative pain
• Reduced risk of infection
• Fewer complications
• A faster recovery

Most minimally invasive surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients often can go home the day of their procedure without an overnight hospital stay. Patients enjoy a faster, easier recovery at home, with the highest likelihood of returning to their pain-free life.

Treat Your Neck or Back Pain at NU-Spine

Are you or a family member struggling with a neck or spine condition? Don’t wait to transform your life with a touch of care from NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments. Don’t wait for relief; schedule your appointment with our spine experts today and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Our services are available across New Jersey. Contact us today for an initial consultation, or visit one of our New Jersey locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, Freehold, or Hainesport.