Spine Surgery

Spine pain affects about 8% of adults. If you have chronic back or neck pain, our orthopedic spine surgeon, at Catalyst Medical Group in Lewiston, Idaho, can help. Your provider lives in your community and all of the valley’s orthopedic medicine specialists are under one roof. Thank you for visiting us online. Call the office at 208.743.3523 to schedule a consultation.

What should I know about my spine?

Many demands are placed on your spine. Your spine holds up your head, upper body, and shoulders. It provides support to stand up straight and flexibility to bend and twist. It also protects your spinal cord. The basic components of the spine include:

Vertebrae 

Your spine is made up of vertebral bones stacked on top of one another. These bones connect to create a canal, protecting the spinal cord.

Spinal Cord and nerves

Your spinal cord and nerves act as electrical cables that travel through the spinal canal carrying messages between your muscles and brain. Nerves branch out from your spinal canal through openings in the vertebrae. 

Muscles and ligaments

These offer support and stability for your upper body spine and your spine. Strong ligaments connect your vertebrae and help keep the spinal column in position.

Facet joints 

Small joints (facet joints) between your vertebrae help your spine move.

What is spine surgery?

Spine surgery is a surgical procedure that restores function and movement in your back or neck. You might need spine surgery if you have an injury, spinal deformity, or degenerative spinal condition.

During spine surgery, surgeons can remove bone and tissue, repair damaged parts of your spine, and re-establish the proper position of your spinal tissues. 

What symptoms show I might need spine surgery?

Your spine includes bones, discs, nerves, and the spinal cord. Problems can arise in any of these parts and cause pain and other issues. Symptoms that might indicate you need spine surgery are:

• Pain that shoots from your neck to your arm or hand
• Pain that shoots from your back to your leg or foot
• Back or leg pain that intensifies when you stand or walk but lessens when you sit
• Pain that increases when you lift heavy objects
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both of your arms or legs
• Difficulty using your hands and arms normally (such as difficulty grasping objects)

These symptoms require evaluation and diagnosis with your primary care provider and the orthopedics team at Catalyst Medical Group. Treating the problem now could prevent permanent spine problems.

How does spine surgery work?

Spine surgery covers many surgical approaches, including minimally invasive methods using small incisions and traditional open surgery techniques. 

Your provider tailors your surgery for your spine problem, always using the latest, safest, and most proven surgical methods to give outstanding results.

If your visit online didn’t address your needs, call the office at 208.743.3523 to set up an evaluation and book an appointment.