Lumbar Spine
Facet Joint Syndrome | Herniated Disc | Spinal Instability | Spinal Stenosis
Are you seeking relief from bothersome back pain? Common ailments of the lower back (lumbar spine) that Dr. Lazar treats non-operatively include facet joint syndrome, herniated discs, spinal instability, and spinal stenosis. Dr. Lazar treats the lumbar spine non-operatively with Regenerative Injection Therapy with platelets and stem cells, cortisone injections, and/or physical therapy. Call our board-certified back surgeon in Plantation, Florida at 954-476-9494 or request an appointment online at our Southeast Florida orthopedic office.
Facet Joint Syndrome
The facet joints are located in pairs at the back of each vertebra in the spine. These joints link each vertebrae to form a working unit that enables the spine to move. Facet joint syndrome is a condition that is common among the elderly and that involves pain in the facet joints. The syndrome usually affects the lower back and/or neck.
Possible causes of facet joint syndrome include injury, osteoporosis, infection, poor posture, and nerve damage.
Symptoms of facet joint syndrome in the lower back include pain or tenderness in the lower back; pain in the buttocks and thigh; and/or stiffness or difficulty with certain movements. When facet syndrome occurs in the neck, symptoms might include headaches; shoulder pain; neck pain; and/or difficulty rotating the head.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses facet joint syndrome with a thorough physical exam and imaging (x-ray, MRI), and treatments include physical therapy and medication.
Learn more about Facet Joint Syndrome in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Herniated Disc
The spine is made up of 26 bones, called vertebrae. In between them are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. The disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. A herniated disk occurs when a disk slips out of place or ruptures. If it presses on a nerve, it can cause back or neck pain depending on which disk is affected.
Symptoms include:
- Back pain that spreads to the buttocks and legs, when the herniated disk is in your lower back
- Neck pain that spreads to the shoulders and upper arms, when the herniated disk is in your upper back
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle spasms or weakness
Treatments include rest, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy.
Learn more about Herniated Disc in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Spinal Instability
Some motion of the spine – specifically the vertebrae – is normal. Spinal instability occurs when the motion among each vertebra is significantly greater in relation to one another.
Spinal instability may be caused by an injury, osteoporosis, and/or a degenerative or congenital disease. Symptoms include neck pain or back pain, muscle spasms, and/or nerve pain.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses spinal instability using a physical exam and imaging, such as x-ray or MRI. He offers several non-operative treatments for spinal instability, including physical therapy and medication.
Go back to the top
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in the spine. It usually occurs in the neck or lower back. The narrowing, or compression, can cause pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves.
Depending on which nerves are affected, spinal stenosis can cause pain or numbness in your legs, back, neck, shoulders or arms. It can also cause limb weakness and loss of sensation in your legs and arms. Pain is not always present.
Spinal stenosis is commonly caused by degenerative age-related changes in the spine.
Symptoms vary, depending on the location of the stenosis.
- Spinal stenosis in the neck - Numbness, weakness, or tingling in a leg, foot, arm, or hand
- Neck or shoulder pain may occur if the nerves in your neck are compressed. However, cervical spinal stenosis often does not cause pain and neck pain can be caused by other unrelated problems.
- Spinal stenosis in the lower back - Compressed nerves in your lower (lumbar) spine can cause pain or cramping in your legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk. The discomfort usually eases when you bend forward or sit down.
Learn more about Spinal Stenosis in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Go back to Our Specialties main page
Lumbar Spine
Facet Joint Syndrome | Herniated Disc | Spinal Instability | Spinal Stenosis
Are you seeking relief from bothersome back pain? Common ailments of the lower back (lumbar spine) that Dr. Lazar treats non-operatively include facet joint syndrome, herniated discs, spinal instability, and spinal stenosis. Dr. Lazar treats the lumbar spine non-operatively with Regenerative Injection Therapy with platelets and stem cells, cortisone injections, and/or physical therapy. Call our board-certified back surgeon in Plantation, Florida at 954-476-9494 or request an appointment online at our Southeast Florida orthopedic office.
Facet Joint Syndrome
The facet joints are located in pairs at the back of each vertebra in the spine. These joints link each vertebrae to form a working unit that enables the spine to move. Facet joint syndrome is a condition that is common among the elderly and that involves pain in the facet joints. The syndrome usually affects the lower back and/or neck.
Possible causes of facet joint syndrome include injury, osteoporosis, infection, poor posture, and nerve damage.
Symptoms of facet joint syndrome in the lower back include pain or tenderness in the lower back; pain in the buttocks and thigh; and/or stiffness or difficulty with certain movements. When facet syndrome occurs in the neck, symptoms might include headaches; shoulder pain; neck pain; and/or difficulty rotating the head.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses facet joint syndrome with a thorough physical exam and imaging (x-ray, MRI), and treatments include physical therapy and medication.
Learn more about Facet Joint Syndrome in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Herniated Disc
The spine is made up of 26 bones, called vertebrae. In between them are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. The disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. A herniated disk occurs when a disk slips out of place or ruptures. If it presses on a nerve, it can cause back or neck pain depending on which disk is affected.
Symptoms include:
- Back pain that spreads to the buttocks and legs, when the herniated disk is in your lower back
- Neck pain that spreads to the shoulders and upper arms, when the herniated disk is in your upper back
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle spasms or weakness
Treatments include rest, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy.
Learn more about Herniated Disc in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Spinal Instability
Some motion of the spine – specifically the vertebrae – is normal. Spinal instability occurs when the motion among each vertebra is significantly greater in relation to one another.
Spinal instability may be caused by an injury, osteoporosis, and/or a degenerative or congenital disease. Symptoms include neck pain or back pain, muscle spasms, and/or nerve pain.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses spinal instability using a physical exam and imaging, such as x-ray or MRI. He offers several non-operative treatments for spinal instability, including physical therapy and medication.
Go back to the top
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in the spine. It usually occurs in the neck or lower back. The narrowing, or compression, can cause pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves.
Depending on which nerves are affected, spinal stenosis can cause pain or numbness in your legs, back, neck, shoulders or arms. It can also cause limb weakness and loss of sensation in your legs and arms. Pain is not always present.
Spinal stenosis is commonly caused by degenerative age-related changes in the spine.
Symptoms vary, depending on the location of the stenosis.
- Spinal stenosis in the neck - Numbness, weakness, or tingling in a leg, foot, arm, or hand
- Neck or shoulder pain may occur if the nerves in your neck are compressed. However, cervical spinal stenosis often does not cause pain and neck pain can be caused by other unrelated problems.
- Spinal stenosis in the lower back - Compressed nerves in your lower (lumbar) spine can cause pain or cramping in your legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk. The discomfort usually eases when you bend forward or sit down.
Learn more about Spinal Stenosis in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Go back to Our Specialties main page