Dr. McMains treats several painful spine conditions so that you can find relief and get back to the activities you care about most—as quickly as possible.

Adjacent Segment Disease

A disc bulges when the outer layer of a vertebral disc swells outward, placing pressure on the surrounding nerves and structures. Although a bulging disc is similar to a herniated disc, it is different in that the inner material has not seeped out through the outer layer of the disc. A bulging disc will usually occur in the lower back or the neck and is rarely found in the mid-back. Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a condition where the facet joints of adjacent vertebrae degenerate, resulting in an inflammatory response that can affect the nerves of the spinal cord. When one or more vertebrae are involved, the condition is called regional ASD. It is a common complication of spinal disc herniation. An estimated 90% of all cases of adjacent segment disease go undiagnosed, and the condition is a major cause of lower back pain.

Bulging Disc

A disc bulges when the outer layer of a vertebral disc swells outward, placing pressure on the surrounding nerves and structures. Although a bulging disc is similar to a herniated disc, it is different in that the inner material has not seeped out through the outer layer of the disc. A bulging disc will usually occur in the lower back or the neck and is rarely found in the mid-back. Sometimes called a slipped disc or a protruding disc, a bulging disc injury is a common injury sustained to your spine’s intervertebral disc, and can occur in your lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (upper and mid-back), or your cervical spine (neck) Aging and normal wear-and-tear are often cited as the most common causes of bulging discs, however, other common causes are:

  • Poor posture or slouching
  • Inactive or sedentary lifestyle
  • Accumulated microtrauma or injuries
  • Sudden unexpected load to the intervertebral discs
  • Obesity and/or genetic factors
  • Occupational risk factors

Degenerative Disc Disease

As you age, spinal discs lose their sponge-like nature, which causes them to be less flexible and unable to absorb shock. As the spinal discs lose fluid and dry out, additional stress is put on the surrounding vertebrae.

Degenerative disc disease pain is most commonly felt in the lower back or neck, however, symptoms can manifest throughout the body. As the disc degenerates, the vertebrae begin closing in, getting closer and closer together, oftentimes pinching nearby nerves, signaling pain in the legs and arms.

It is important to note that while most individuals over the age of 60 have some level or form of degenerative disc disease, not all cases result in pain. Other common symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:

  • Sharp or worsened pain when bending, twisting, or sitting.
  • Pain when walking, running, or changing positions.
  • Radiating pain extending to the arms or legs.
  • Mild to severe discomfort.
  • Numbness and weakness in extremities.
  • Burning pain, pressure, or tingling.
  • Loss of bowel control.

Degenerative Scoliosis

Like the Structural and Nonstructural Scoliosis that is often diagnosed in adolescence, degenerative scoliosis describes a side-to-side curvature of the spine. However, degenerative scoliosis, also called adult-onset scoliosis, is caused by degeneration of the facet joints and intervertebral discs in the spine. As a person ages, degeneration and resulting spinal asymmetry can occur over time. This gradual deterioration is a completely different cause of scoliosis from the standard adolescent-onset scoliosis.

Failed Spine Surgery

A disc bulges when the outer layer of a vertebral disc swells outward, placing pressure on the surrounding nerves and structures. Although a bulging disc is similar to a herniated disc, it is different in that the inner material has not seeped out through the outer layer of the disc. A bulging disc will usually occur in the lower back or the neck and is rarely found in the mid-back. Nearly one in 10 people experience back pain, causing more disability than any other condition in the world—and for many, surgery may be the only option for relief. Up to 40% of patients experience continued pain after surgery, which is often referred to as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).

Herniated Disc

It is common for spinal disc material to degenerate naturally as people age, causing herniated discs to commonly to occur in those between 30 and 50 years old. However, a single excessive strain or injury can cause the onset of a herniated disc to happen at any age, and most frequently occurs in the lower back. Additionally, herniated discs can cause a variety of painful issues, such as pinched nerves or sciatica.

Aside from pain in the area of the affected disc, tingling, and burning, other symptoms of a herniated disc include:

  • Lower back pain
  • Muscle tension
  • Weakness near the location of the herniated disc
  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches
  • Cramping

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common medical problems, which affects upwards of 80% of adults at some point in their lives. Lower back pain can begin on its own, but more commonly starts as a result of strain, injury, or underlying condition. The pain ranges from acute to chronic in terms of how long it can last.

The vast majority of lower back pain cases are due to sprain, strain, muscle spasm, or the general degeneration of the spine associated with normal wear-and-tear as we age. However, there are also a wide range of spinal disorders, conditions, and risk factors that can lead to or exacerbate lower back pain – most of which are listed on this page.

Neck Pain

Neck pain is a really common problem. It can be caused by injury, poor posture, or even stress. However, it can be hard to know if it’s serious or if you just need to adjust your lifestyle. Pain can be a warning sign of a bigger problem, or it could just be a common ache. Either way, it’s important to know when to seek treatment.

The neck is a complex structure consisting of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves. With this many components, you can imagine that neck pain can result from any number of things. If you’re suffering from neck pain, you’re not alone. It’s a problem that affects millions of people around the world, and it can be debilitating at times. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to treat and prevent neck pain.

Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure (compression) is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues. In some cases, this tissue might be bone or cartilage, in other cases, it can be muscle or tendons causing the condition.

Pinched nerves can occur at any point in the spine, and the intensity of the pain often varies depending on the location of the compression and nerves involved. If you are experiencing a pinched nerve, you may also experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Radiating pain or burning that can travel outward from the pinched nerve to adjacent limbs. 
  • Concentrated pain, ranging from minor aches to debilitating discomfort. 
  • Numbness or tingling sensations at the point of nerve compression or radiating out to limbs. 
  • Muscle weakness or spasms near the nerve or in adjacent muscles supplied by the nerve. 
  • Increased pain while holding certain positions, alleviated when shifting positions or stretching. 

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is a common problem that affects the lower back and legs, usually from a herniated disk or pinched nerve. This happens when a nerve root in the spinal canal becomes compressed, irritated, inflamed, or damaged because of an injury, repetitive motions, or strenuous activities. Radiculopathy leads to in pain, numbness, or weakness that may be felt in the arms or legs.

If you suffer from radicular pain., you know how painful it can be to get through your day. Dr. McMains and his colleagues in the greater Indianapolis area are experts in minimally invasive procedures that can help improve your radiculopathy symptoms and get you back to life.

Sacroiliitis

The sacroiliac joints are found where the spine meets the pelvis. Sacroiliitis is a painful condition where either one or both of the sacroiliac joints become inflamed. Lower back, buttock, or groin pain associated with sacroiliitis can be difficult to distinguish from other types of back pain, which is why it’s important to see a spine expert obtain a proper diagnosis as soon as your symptoms begin to show.

Infection and arthritis are common causes of sacroiliitis. Types of arthritis in the sacroiliac joint commonly include osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Other factors that contribute to developing sacroiliitis include:

  • Trauma or injury such as a car accident or a fall that results in damage to the sacroiliac joint. 
  • Pregnancy/Childbirth
  • History of infections

Sciatica

Sciatic pain originates from the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down the back of each leg. Sciatica is the term used to describe the painful group of symptoms that develop when the nerve roots, which make up the sciatic nerve, become irritated or compressed—usually affecting only one side of the lower body.

While sciatic nerve pain typically only occurs in one side of your body, that depends on exactly where the compression is located. Common symptoms include:

  •  Sharp pain, throbbing or tingling sensations.
  •  Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving lower limbs.
  •  Discomfort when sitting or lying down.
  •  Feeling of numbness, often throughout the buttock, leg, and foot.
  •  Hip and/or lower back pain.
  •  Constant pain on one side of the rear.
  • Degeneration

Spinal arthritis (“Spondylosis”)

Spinal arthritis or spondylosis is a common problem in the United States. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, approximately 5% of the population has been diagnosed with spinal arthritis. In fact, spinal arthritis is one of the most common reasons for spinal surgery. It is the most common form of arthritis in the spine, and is mostly caused by the natural aging process. One common effect of Spondylosis is the formation of bone spurs on the vertebrae in your spine. The bone spurs are also referred to as osteophytes. Osteophytes form when new bone grows on the joints of your vertebrae.

Spinal Deformity

When you’re suffering from spinal deformity, your spine is not in its natural position, typically including an abnormal curvature. As a result, you could have pain, muscle spasms, and other symptoms that can interfere with daily activities. Spinal deformity can occur for several reasons. Sometimes it’s congenital (meaning you were born with it), but it can also be attributed to trauma or postural issues. Because of the pain, excessive curvature, and restricted mobility associated with spinal deformities, many people opt for minimally invasive spinal correction procedures such as those performed by McMains Spine.

Spinal Deformities are broken into three categories:
Kyphosis: A hump-back appearance that causes the upper back to be higher than the lower back;
Lordosis: The reverse of Kyphosis, with the lower back being higher than the upper back;
Scoliosis: A sideways curvature in the spine.

McMains Spine offers minimally invasive spine treatment, pain relief, Spinal Deformity correction, and Spinal Deformity treatment for children and adults with scoliosis, deformities, or general spinal stenosis in the Indianapolis area.

Spinal Stenosis

As many as 90% of reported cases of spinal stenosis are the result of degenerative changes that occur with aging. This degeneration can lead to bone spurs that may narrow the spinal canal. Other contributors to spinal stenosis include the degeneration, herniation, or bulging of intervertebral discs; and the formation of synovial cysts (fluid-filled sacs in the joints).

Spinal stenosis usually affects your neck or lower back, due to pressure on the spinal cord or its surrounding nerves. Progressive weakness and atrophy of muscles in the legs or arms can develop over several months or years due to spinal stenosis. Eventually, standing and walking for long periods can become difficult and extremely painful.

Other symptoms of spinal stenosis include:

  • Balance problems
  • Neck or back pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the hand, arm foot, or leg
  • Sharp sudden pain triggered by movement
  • Weakness in a hand, arm, foot, or leg

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is an instability in the spinal column that results in vertebrae shifting out of alignment, often over the next vertebrae. This condition is most common in the lower back (also known as the lumbar spine) because this portion carries and distributes the majority of your body weight. This means it is susceptible to excessive stress.

Causes of spondylolisthesis can vary with age and lifestyle. If your spondylolisthesis is the result of an underlying condition, it can require a more specific diagnosis. For example, if an injury led to your vertebrae slippage, you could be diagnosed with traumatic spondylolisthesis.

Spine nonunions (“Pseudoarthrosis”)

A spine nonunion is the failure of a fracture to heal. A spinal nonunion can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. It usually occurs after a vertebral fracture, due to improper healing of a fracture.

The development of scar tissue between two adjacent, fractured vertebrae is called pseudoarthrosis. This can occur in the thoracic or lumbar spine, where it is a cause of chronic back pain. The intervertebral disc is a shock absorbing structure located between each vertebra. When this becomes damaged, such as through a disc degeneration or injury, it can cause the vertebrae to lose height and possibly cause pain.

Spine nonunions are a rare condition affecting less than 0.1% of the population. These nonunions can be classified into traumatic and non-traumatic causes. However, if you are seeking diagnosis or a second opinion, please contact Dr. McMains as soon as possible.