The Scourge of Modern Life: Spinal Disorders
Dr. Bronius Špakauskas, MD, Ph.D. , has been a practicing neurosurgeon for over 40 years. Specializing in spinal neurosurgery and holding a doctoral degree in medical sciences, he holds the highest qualification as a neurosurgeon. Over his career, Dr. Špakauskas has dedicated himself to the treatment of various spinal conditions, including oncological diseases and traumatic deformities.
With extensive experience and a patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Špakauskas is highly regarded by his patients. We had the opportunity to speak with him about common spinal disorders and their symptoms.
What is the structure and primary function of the spine?
Briefly, the spine is composed of vertebrae that form a bony structure with intervertebral discs acting as cushions or "shock absorbers" between them. The vertebrae are connected by joints, creating an open channel in the center through which the spinal cord and its branching nerves pass. Peripheral nerves exit through openings on either side of the vertebrae, allowing us to perform a variety of movements—bending, extending, and making intricate, subtle motions with our arms and legs.
What are the most common spinal disorders?
The most common spinal disorder, especially in developed societies, is osteochondrosis, a degenerative disease that primarily affects the intervertebral discs and vertebral edges. Clinically, this condition manifests as pain, restricted movement, and sometimes numbness or weakness in the limbs due to nerve compression. Osteochondrosis often leads to intervertebral disc herniation, where fragments of cartilage from the disc protrude and press against nerves, causing symptoms such as pain or numbness in the arms or legs. Herniations most frequently occur in the lower cervical and lumbar vertebrae due to the high mobility and load-bearing function of these regions.
At what age do patients typically seek help from a neurosurgeon?
Disc herniation, the most common spinal condition, usually affects people in their productive years, from around 35 to 50-60 years old. It's rare for older adults to experience disc herniation if they haven't had it before the age of 70. In older patients, spinal stenosis—a narrowing of the spaces within the spine, which can compress nerves—is more common and presents with different symptoms than disc herniation. Identifying these differences often requires advanced diagnostic imaging such as CT or MRI. With years of specialization in spinal surgery, I've seen that surgery is necessary for only about 10% of patients who seek my help. The notion that neurosurgery always requires an operation is largely a myth.