What is spinal instability?
Spinal instability occurs when there is a greater-than-normal range of motion between two or more vertebrae. When this occurs, the disc between the two hyper-mobile vertebrae can degenerate quickly and the spine is unable to support the body’s weight or normal activity. Spinal instability can cause early arthritis and bone spurs resulting in pain. Dr. Brenton Pennicooke, MD, a spinal instability specialist, treats patients in Saint Louis, Creve Coeur, and surrounding cities in St. Louis County, Missouri, who are experiencing symptoms associated with spinal instability.
What causes spinal instability?
Spinal instability can be caused by trauma or a spinal fracture, metastatic tumors in the spine, or by congenital defects. Spinal instability can sometimes occur from poor lifting techniques or from scoliosis.
What are the symptoms of spinal instability?
Spinal instability can occur anywhere in the spine. In the lower spine or lumbar region, spinal instability symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower back
- Severe pain while lifting, straightening or while bending
- Muscle spasms
- Feeling like the back will “give way” during movement
- Pain that radiates to the buttocks or legs
- Pain that radiates to one side of the body
- Numbness in either or both legs
- Numbness in the arms (cervical or thoracic spinal instability)
- Pain when laughing, coughing, or sneezing
- Pain that gets worse with prolonged sitting
In the neck or cervical region spine or lumbar region, spinal instability symptoms include:
- Pain in the neck
- Severe pain while turning the head or looking up or down.
- Muscle spasms
- Feeling like you are unable to hold the head upright/straight
- Pain that radiates to the arms and hands or up the back of the head
- Pain that radiates to one side of the body
- Numbness in either or both legs
- Numbness in the arms (cervical or thoracic spinal instability)
- Pain when laughing, coughing, or sneezing
How is spinal instability diagnosed?
Dr. Brenton Pennicooke will obtain a thorough history of the patient’s health and background as well as lifestyle and current functional status. Diagnostic imaging tests may include a CT scan, MRI and/or x-rays. A physical examination may include walking and tasks to assess current strength. Spinal instability can occur over time and it is often helpful for Dr. Pennicooke to review previous imaging such as x-rays or MRI’s.
What is the treatment for spinal instability?
Surgical:
Surgery is generally more appropriate for patients with neurological deficits and a high degree of disability or loss of function. Patients with dynamic spondylolisthesis – a condition where a misaligned vertebrae moves when the spine moves, causing additional wear and tear on the bones and discs – are also candidates for surgery. Surgical treatments for spinal instability may include:
- Posterior Fusion approach: Two or more vertebrae may be fixed together surgically to minimize movement and improve the stability of the spine.
- Anterior & Posterior Fusion approach: Used for lower back levels between L3 and S1. The disc is replaced with a mobile or fixed implant (ALIF), depending on the severity of the instability.
Patients with cervical instability may have similar options which may include:
- Posterior Fusion approach
- Anterior Fusion approach
- Anterior & Posterior Fusion approach
Spinal Instability Specialist
Are you experiencing severe pain in the neck and back that radiates to the arms or legs? Or do you have the sensation that your spine might “give way?” If so, you may have spinal instability. Spinal instability can cause pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities as well as the back or neck. Spinal instability specialist, Doctor Brenton Pennicooke, provides diagnosis as well as surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Saint Louis, Creve Coeur, and surrounding cities in St. Louis County, Missouri. who are experiencing symptoms associated with spinal instability. Contact Dr. Pennicooke’s team today!
