Understanding Your Spine

Clear information about back and neck pain, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and treatment — written for patients.

Anatomy

How Does the Spine Work?

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Structure

33 Vertebrae, 1 Column

The spine consists of 33 vertebrae arranged in cervical (neck, 7), thoracic (mid-back, 12), lumbar (lower back, 5), sacral (5), and coccygeal (4) regions. It protects the spinal cord and supports the body.

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Discs

The Shock Absorbers

Intervertebral discs sit between each vertebra, acting as cushions. Each disc has a tough outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and a soft gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). Degeneration or injury causes many common spine problems.

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Nerves

The Communication Network

Nerve roots exit at each spinal level and travel to the arms, legs, and organs. When compressed by a disc or bone spur, they cause radiculopathy — radiating pain, numbness, or weakness down the arm or leg.

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Facet Joints

The Guiding Joints

Paired facet joints connect adjacent vertebrae, guiding spinal movement and providing stability. Arthritis in these joints is a common cause of chronic back and neck pain, especially with age.

Common conditions

What Could Be Wrong?

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Disc Herniation (Slipped Disc)

The inner disc material pushes through the outer ring and presses on nearby nerves. In the lumbar spine, this causes sciatica — sharp pain, numbness, or tingling down one leg. In the cervical spine, symptoms radiate to the arm.

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Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the spinal cord or nerve roots. Causes leg pain, weakness, and numbness — especially with walking (neurogenic claudication). More common after age 60.

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Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. Most cases are idiopathic (unknown cause) and develop during adolescence. Mild curves are monitored; significant curves may require bracing or surgery.

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Mechanical Back Pain

The most common cause of back pain — arising from muscles, ligaments, or joints rather than nerve compression. Usually improves with activity modification, physiotherapy, and pain management within 6–12 weeks.

Treatment

Your Treatment Journey

Assessment & Imaging

MRI is the gold standard for diagnosing disc herniation, stenosis, and nerve compression. CT scans detail bony anatomy. X-rays assess alignment, scoliosis, and degeneration. Neurological examination maps symptoms to spinal levels.

Conservative Management

Most spine conditions improve with physiotherapy, core strengthening, posture correction, and pain management. Epidural steroid injections can provide significant short-term relief for nerve-related pain.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Microdiscectomy (removing herniated disc material through a small incision) and endoscopic procedures decompress nerves with minimal tissue disruption, short hospital stay, and rapid recovery.

Spinal Fusion or Disc Replacement

For instability, severe degeneration, or scoliosis, fusion permanently joins vertebrae. Artificial disc replacement preserves motion and is an alternative for selected patients with disc disease.

Rehabilitation & Prevention

Recovery after spine surgery is typically 6–12 weeks for microdiscectomy and 3–6 months for fusion. Long-term spine health depends on core strength, healthy weight, ergonomics, and regular movement.

FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

No — up to 90% of disc herniations improve with conservative treatment within 6–12 weeks. Surgery is considered when there is progressive neurological weakness, loss of bladder/bowel control, or failure to improve after adequate conservative treatment.

No — prolonged bed rest is actually harmful. Evidence strongly supports staying as active as tolerable, with gentle movement and physiotherapy. Complete rest weakens muscles and delays recovery.

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. It is usually caused by a herniated disc or bone spur compressing the nerve. Most cases resolve with physiotherapy; injections or surgery are reserved for persistent cases.

Seek emergency care immediately if you have back pain with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin/inner thighs (saddle anesthesia), progressive weakness in both legs, or back pain with fever and unexplained weight loss. These may indicate cauda equina syndrome or serious pathology.

Questions about your spine?

Connect with a Sporthopedia participating surgeon or learn about our spine research studies.