Spinal disorders: Information & specialists

The spine consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments, nerves and muscles. With its stable yet flexible double-S shape, the spine ensures an upright posture and a sprung gait. Various diseases or deformities can impair the function of the spine and lead to various complaints.

Here you will find further information as well as selected specialists and centers for spinal disorders.

Common diseases of the spine

Diseases of the spine can occur in all anatomical structures.

The most common diseases of the spine include

• Herniated disc
• spinal canal stenosis
• Deformities such as scoliosis or kyphosis
• Autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis
• Scheuermann's disease acquired in adolescence
• Wear and tear diseases such as osteoarthritis of the facet joints

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformation of the spine that leads to a more or less clearly visible incorrect posture @ filins /AdobeStock

The symptoms vary depending on the disease. The main symptom of spinal disorders is back pain.

If the spinal cord is impaired by the narrowing of the spinal canal, neurological symptoms can occur.

These include

• Tingling sensations
• numbness
• An altered feeling of heat or cold in the arms, legs or feet
• Symptoms of paralysis (depending on the section of the spine affected)

These symptoms occur, for example, in compression syndrome caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis. This causes pressure on the spinal cord.

Causes of spinal disorders

Spinal disorders can be acquired or congenital.

Congenital diseases are

• Scoliosis
• Scheuermann's disease and
• ankylosing spondylitis

Slipped discs and facet joint arthrosis are often caused by natural ageing processes. These are acquired, degenerative wear and tear diseases of the spine.

In the case of a slipped disc, the tissue of the disc between the vertebrae increasingly protrudes outwards @ marga /AdobeStock

In facet joint arthrosis, the intervertebral discs lose their buffer function over time. This causes the vertebral bodies to move closer together, as the facet joints between them are overloaded and wear out.

As a result, the spine loses its flexible alignment. It can literally collapse. The pressure on the intervertebral discs, spinal cord and spinal nerves increases.

Incorrect and/or continuous strain on the spine can significantly promote its development.

In the case of a herniated disc, the gelatinous core of the disc pushes out of its structures and presses on the spinal cord.

In the case of spinal canal stenosis, the spinal canal is severely narrowed due to bony changes. This causes back pain and restricted movement.

Muscle diseases (myopathies) or underdeveloped trunk muscles can also have a negative impact on the health of the spine.

Autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis can also cause spinal complaints. In this case, the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own structures.