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What are common causes of back pain? Back pain is a common complaint affecting about 80% of people at some point. You can develop back pain from any number of causes, including an acute injury, degenerative conditions, or an underlying disease. Common conditions that cause back pain include: Sprains and strains Herniated disc Degenerative disc disease (DDD) Arthritis Vertebral compression fractures Spinal stenosis Spinal tumor Spinal deformity (scoliosis) Sciatica Sometimes back pain originates from problems involving other areas of the body, such as the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in the pelvis. The type of pain you feel may range from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pain. Back pain usually resolves within a few days or a few weeks. However, if you have back pain that lasts longer than three months, your condition is chronic. When should I consider back pain management? You should consider scheduling a back pain management consultation at Longview Spine Surgery, if you have chronic pain, severe back pain, or pain that’s worsening over time. Dr. Ross Elliott also recommends coming in for a consultation if you’ve tried other medical interventions for your back pain and failed to get relief. Or, if you had back surgery and continue to have pain—called failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Dr. Elliott is an American Associate of Neurological Surgeon with extensive training endoscopic, minimally invasive and complex spinal care. He takes a comprehensive approach to back pain management, creating plans that provide long-term relief. He listens intently to your concerns and asks detailed questions about your symptoms. Dr. Elliott’s goal during your evaluation is to get an accurate diagnosis so he can create an effective treatment plan. What are back pain management treatment options? Your back pain management treatment options depend on your diagnosis and symptoms. Dr. Elliott always considers conservative therapies first, such as physical therapy and interventional pain management treatments like epidural injections, nerve blocks, or radiofrequency ablation. For conditions like SIJ pain, he offers SIJ injections and fusion as same-day surgeries.  For comprehensive back pain management, call Longview Spine Surgery with Dr. Ross J Elliott today or book an appointment online.

What causes neck pain? Neck pain can develop for many different reasons, but one of the most common is muscle strain related to poor posture. Spending long periods with your head tilted forward—such as while working on a computer or looking down at a phone or tablet—puts excessive stress on the soft tissues and joints in your neck. Over time, this repeated strain can contribute to wear-and-tear changes in the cervical spine, leading to conditions such as: - Arthritis - Degenerative disc disease (DDD) - Spinal stenosis - Herniated discs These issues may irritate or compress the spinal cord or nearby nerve roots, causing pain that can radiate into the shoulders, arms, upper back, or even the head. Some patients also develop significant stiffness that limits normal neck movement. When should I seek care for neck pain? If your neck pain persists, interferes with daily activities, or keeps returning, it’s a good idea to schedule an evaluation at Longview Spine Surgery. Dr. Ross Elliott is a highly trained spine neurosurgeon specializing in both minimally invasive and complex cervical procedures. During your appointment, he conducts a thorough assessment, reviewing your symptoms, prior treatments, and medical history. He may also order imaging studies to get a clearer picture of what’s happening within your cervical spine. An accurate diagnosis allows Dr. Elliott to design a treatment plan focused on lasting relief—not just temporary symptom management. What treatments are available for neck pain? Dr. Elliott offers a full range of neck pain treatments. He typically begins with conservative options, which may include: - Physical therapy - Epidural steroid injections - Nerve blocks If these methods don’t resolve your symptoms, Dr. Elliott may recommend surgical solutions tailored to your condition. Possible procedures include: - Cervical discectomy and fusion - Disc replacement - Cervical corpectomy (removal of part of the vertebra) - Cervical laminectomy (removal of vertebral bone to relieve pressure) Dr. Elliott has a successful track record of cervical surgeries, many of which are completed in an outpatient setting so patients can return home the same day. Most individuals notice meaningful improvement within just a few days. Don’t let persistent neck pain limit your life. Contact Dr. Ross's office or schedule an appointment online to explore your treatment options.

Understanding Cervical Spine Pain Your cervical spine—more commonly known as your neck—is one of the most frequent sources of discomfort. The seven vertebrae, discs, and surrounding muscles in this area perform a complex job: they must support the weight of the head, which averages 10–11 pounds, while allowing a wide range of motion. It’s no surprise that more than 70% of people experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Dr. Elliott offers a full spectrum of surgical options, including advanced minimally invasive procedures designed to address neck pain caused by nerve compression and degenerative cervical discs. What Causes Neck Pain? The neck is particularly susceptible to conditions and injuries that cause pain and limit mobility. These issues can range from minor muscle strains to more serious structural problems such as herniated discs or narrowing of nerve pathways. Osteoarthritis—sometimes called “wear-and-tear arthritis”—is one of the most common contributors to chronic neck pain. Frequent causes include: Worn joints: As we age, the cartilage cushioning the cervical vertebrae thins and breaks down. The body may form bone spurs in response, which can restrict movement and place pressure on nearby nerves. Muscle strain: Poor posture, especially when leaning over computers or devices, is the leading cause of neck pain. Even small posture habits—like reading in bed with inadequate support—can strain the neck muscles over time. Nerve compression: Cervical discs can herniate, allowing inner disc material to bulge outward and irritate adjacent nerves. Bone spurs may also narrow the nerve pathways. Injury: Whiplash, commonly caused by rear-end vehicle collisions or contact sports, forces the head suddenly backward and forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck. Disease: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer may also lead to chronic neck pain. Types of Neck Pain Neck pain can be categorized by how long it lasts: Acute pain: Sudden discomfort triggered by a movement, posture, or activity that strains the neck. Chronic pain: Ongoing pain usually tied to structural problems such as bone spurs or degenerative discs. Aside from significant trauma, Dr. Elliott is most often consulted for chronic cases that involve nerve compression and may require surgical intervention. Common Symptoms of Neck Pain - Reduced ability to turn or tilt the head - Burning pain during certain movements - Pain that worsens when holding the head still, such as while driving - Muscle tightness or spasms - Headaches Non-Surgical Treatment options are always our first option. Whenever possible, neck pain is treated conservatively first. Many patients experience improvement within two to three weeks using non-surgical therapies such as:

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing in one or more areas of the spinal canal as a result of injury or deterioration of the discs, joints or bones of the spine. Most cases of spinal stenosis develop as a result of the degenerative changes that occur during aging. Osteoarthritis is the main cause of spinal stenosis, since this condition causes deterioration of cartilage in the area that leads to the bones rubbing against each other. As bones make repeated abnormal contact, bone spurs form, narrowing the spinal canal. Other causes of spinal stenosis are traumatic injury, herniated disc, ligament thickening and, in rare cases, spinal tumors, any of which can damage the alignment of the vertebrae. A subtype of spinal stenosis is foraminal stenosis. This condition is caused by a narrowing of the foramen, the opening within each of the spinal bones that allows nerve roots to pass through. TREATMENT OF SPINAL STENOSIS Most cases of spinal stenosis can be effectively treated through conservative methods such as physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), rest and a supportive back brace or cervical collar. In some situations, corticosteroid injections may provide relief. For more severe cases, surgical procedures such as a decompressive laminectomy, laminotomy or spinal fusion may be required to relieve pressure on the nerves. When the patient is diagnosed with foraminal stenosis, a surgical procedure known as a foraminotomy may be performed. This operation widens the area where the spinal nerve roots project from the spine.

Cervical myelopathy is when the spinal cord in the cervical spine (neck) becomes compressed. To provide a definition, the cervical part of your spine is comprised of seven vertebrae (C1 through C7), six intervertebral discs, and eight nerve roots. Furthermore, the spinal cord travels within a column with the vertebrae in the front and intervertebral discs in the rear. Additionally, eight nerve roots branch out from the cervical spine and regulate the function of your shoulders, arms, and hands. Cervical myelopathy occurs as a dangerous disorder that affects the cervical spine and can cause nerve damage, including paralysis and death if left untreated. Thus, this condition can require a quick surgical response. To reiterate, cervical myelopathy, defined as dysfunction of the spinal cord, predominantly arises from untreated stenosis of the spinal canal. This prolonged pressure on the spinal cord can occur by various factors including degenerative arthritis of the spine, disc degeneration, disc herniation, bone spur formation, and kyphosis—commonly associated with osteoporosis. It primarily affects the cervical spine, although occurrences in the thoracic region are noted occasionally. Additionally, dynamic myelopathy may develop when spinal instability leads to bone movement, further complicating the condition cervical myelopathy is a condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck region. It occurs when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord, leading to the neurological symptoms listed below under symptoms.

Understanding Leg Pain Related to Spine Conditions Leg pain is frequently tied to underlying problems within the spine—particularly conditions that impact the nerves in the lumbar region. Because these nerves travel from the lower back into the legs, issues in the spinal column can easily manifest as discomfort, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs. At Longview Spine Surgery, we focus on identifying the exact spinal source of your symptoms so we can deliver precise, effective treatment. Below are common spine conditions that may contribute to leg pain: 1. A herniated disc develops when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer. If this material presses on a nearby nerve, patients often experience leg pain, numbness, or tingling—symptoms commonly referred to as sciatica. Herniated discs in the lower back are a leading cause of sciatic nerve irritation. 2. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. When this occurs in the lumbar spine, it can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing leg pain that often worsens during walking or standing. This narrowing may lead to neurogenic claudication, a condition marked by leg pain, weakness, or tingling. 3. Over time, Degenerative Disc Disease comes from spinal discs can deteriorate, losing hydration and height. As the discs weaken, the vertebrae may shift closer together, potentially irritating or compressing nearby nerves. Degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine is a frequent contributor to radiating leg pain. 4. Sciatica describes a set of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Pain typically radiates from the lower back through the hips and down the leg. Many spinal issues—including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or vertebral slippage—can trigger sciatica. 5. Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. This misalignment can compress spinal nerves, leading to leg pain and neurologic symptoms. The level of discomfort depends on the degree of slippage and the amount of nerve involvement. 6. Lumbar Radiculopathy is caused by irritation or compression of the nerve roots that exit the lumbar spine. This condition typically results in sharp, shooting pain radiating into the legs, often accompanied by numbness or tingling. Herniated discs and spinal stenosis are common underlying causes. 7. Facet Joint Syndrome is when Facet joints, located at the back of the spine, can become inflamed or arthritic. This condition—known as facet joint syndrome—may cause localized low back pain that radiates into the legs, mimicking sciatica. Symptoms often worsen with specific movements or prolonged standing. Find Relief From Spine-Related Leg Pain because leg pain can arise from several different spinal conditions, accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. At Longview Spine Surgery, our specialists use advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the root cause of your discomfort and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening leg pain, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at one of our locations. Our team is here to help you find lasting relief and restore your quality of life.