Spine Conditions

Spine conditions can cause pain, stiffness, weakness and restricted movement, making everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, bending or working comfortably difficult. Common spine-related problems include back pain, neck pain and sciatica.

Dr. Pratik Agarwal, Consultant Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon in Siliguri, provides evaluation and treatment for a range of spine-related conditions. Treatment is based on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, functional requirements and individual patient needs.

Back Pain

Back pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that can affect the muscles, joints, discs, ligaments or other structures around the spine. It may develop gradually or occur suddenly following physical strain, an injury or certain movements.

Back pain can affect the lower or upper back and may sometimes extend towards the buttocks or legs.

What Are theSymptoms of Back Pain?

Common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the lower or upper back
  • Back stiffness
  • Muscle tightness
  • Difficulty bending or straightening
  • Pain after prolonged sitting or standing
  • Reduced movement
  • Pain extending towards the buttocks or legs
  • Difficulty performing everyday activities


The severity and duration of back pain can vary depending on the underlying cause.

The severity and duration of back pain can vary depending on the underlying cause.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain may develop because of:

  • Muscle or ligament strain
  • Poor posture
  • Prolonged sitting
  • Repetitive physical activity
  • Sudden movements
  • Heavy lifting
  • Previous injury
  • Age-related changes
  • Disc-related problems
 

Back pain may sometimes occur without an obvious cause.

How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually involves a detailed medical history and physical examination.

During the examination, the doctor may assess:

  • Spine movement
  • Muscle strength
  • Reflexes
  • Sensation
  • Walking pattern
  • Signs of nerve involvement


X-rays may be recommended to evaluate the bones and alignment of the spine. In selected cases, an MRI or other imaging investigation may be advised to evaluate discs, nerves or other structures.

How Is Back Pain Treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity and duration of symptoms.

Treatment may include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Stretching and mobility exercises
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Activity modification
  • Pain-relieving medication when prescribed
  • Posture and movement advice
  • Other non-surgical treatment based on individual requirements


When symptoms remain significant despite appropriate conservative treatment, further evaluation may be recommended.

Neck Pain

Neck pain can affect the muscles, joints, discs and other structures around the cervical spine. It may develop gradually or occur following prolonged posture, physical strain or an injury.

Some neck conditions may also cause symptoms extending towards the shoulder or arm.

What Are The Symptoms Of Neck Pain?

Common symptoms include:

  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Difficulty turning or moving the neck
  • Muscle tightness
  • Pain extending towards the shoulder
  • Pain extending into the arm
  • Tingling or numbness in selected cases
  • Difficulty performing normal activities

Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying condition.

What Causes Neck Pain?

Neck pain may occur because of:

  • Poor posture
  • Prolonged computer or mobile use
  • Muscle strain
  • Sudden neck movement
  • Sports injuries
  • Road traffic accidents
  • Previous neck injury
  • Age-related changes
  • Disc-related problems

How Is Neck Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves a detailed medical history and physical examination.

The doctor may assess:

  • Neck movement
  • Muscle strength
  • Reflexes
  • Sensation
  • Shoulder and arm movement
  • Signs of nerve involvement


X-rays may be recommended to evaluate the bones and alignment. An MRI or other imaging investigation may be advised in selected cases to assess discs, nerves or other associated problems.

How Is Neck Pain Treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Non-surgical treatment may include:

  • Activity modification
  • Physiotherapy
  • Posture correction
  • Stretching and mobility exercises
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Medication when prescribed
  • Rehabilitation


Further treatment may be considered when symptoms remain significant despite appropriate conservative treatment.

How Can Dr. Pratik Agarwal Help With Neck Pain?

Dr. Pratik Agarwal can evaluate lower back pain, leg pain and other symptoms associated with sciatica to help identify the underlying cause.

Based on the clinical assessment and appropriate imaging, he can recommend a treatment approach suited to the patient’s condition and functional requirements.

Where appropriate, treatment may include non-surgical management, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, with further specialist management considered when clinically indicated.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain and other symptoms caused by irritation or compression involving the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it.

The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the buttocks and into the leg. As a result, sciatica can cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg.

Sciatica is a symptom rather than a condition in itself and can have several underlying causes.

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

Common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the lower back or buttock
  • Sharp or shooting pain extending into the leg
  • Burning pain
  • Pain extending below the knee
  • Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation
  • Numbness in the leg or foot
  • Weakness in the affected leg
  • Difficulty sitting for prolonged periods
  • Symptoms that worsen with certain movements


Sciatica commonly affects one side of the body, although symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica may occur because of irritation or compression of nerves in the lower back.

Possible causes include:

  • Herniated or slipped disc
  • Degenerative changes in the spine
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Bone spurs
  • Nerve root compression
  • Certain spinal injuries
  • Other conditions affecting the lower back

How Is Sciatica Diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a detailed assessment of symptoms and a physical and neurological examination.

The doctor may assess:

  • Muscle strength
  • Reflexes
  • Sensation
  • Walking ability
  • Leg movement
  • Movements that reproduce symptoms


An MRI or other imaging investigation may be recommended when symptoms are persistent, severe, associated with neurological changes or when an underlying structural cause needs further assessment.

How Is Sciatica Treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Treatment may include:

  • Activity modification
  • Physiotherapy
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises
  • Medicines when prescribed
  • Posture and movement modification
  • Rehabilitation
  • Other non-surgical treatment approaches


The appropriate treatment is determined after identifying the cause of the symptoms.

How Can Dr. Pratik Agarwal Help With Sciatica?

Dr. Pratik Agarwal can assess symptoms such as radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness to determine whether they may be related to a musculoskeletal or nerve-related problem.

Based on the diagnosis, he can recommend an appropriate treatment plan and advise whether further evaluation or specialist management is required.

How Can Dr. Pratik Agarwal Help With Spine Conditions?

Spine-related symptoms can have several possible causes. Back pain, neck pain, radiating pain and stiffness may arise from muscles, joints, discs, nerves or age-related changes.

Dr. Pratik Agarwal, Consultant Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon in Siliguri, evaluates patients with a range of spine-related conditions and symptoms.

His assessment may include:

  • Detailed medical history
  • Clinical examination
  • Assessment of movement and function
  • Neurological assessment where appropriate
  • Relevant imaging or investigations
  • Individualised treatment planning

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include activity modification, physiotherapy, exercises, medication when prescribed, rehabilitation and other appropriate non-surgical approaches.

The goal is to identify the likely cause of the symptoms, manage pain, improve mobility and help patients return to their everyday activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common spine-related problems include back pain, neck pain, sciatica, slipped or herniated discs, degenerative changes, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis and conditions involving nerve irritation or compression.

Consult Dr. Pratik Agarwal for Spine-Related Problems

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