Dr. Ajay Kothari - Spine Surgeon
Frequently Asked Questions

This disease causes mild to severe pain in the low back and buttocks that is often worse in early morning-Morning Stiffness. Some people have more pain in other areas, such as the hips or heels. The pain usually gets better slowly as you move around and are active. Ankylosing spondylitis most often begins anywhere from the teenage years through the 30s. Duration of symptoms is usually more than 6 months.
It gets worse slowly over time as swelling of the ligaments, tendons, and joints of the spine cause the bones of the spine to

The early signs of this disease-dull pain in the low back and buttocks-are common. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and if they have become worse over time. Your doctor will also ask if you have a family history of this joint disease or others like it.

Your doctor may do several tests if he or she thinks that you have ankylosing spondylitis. You may have an X-ray, a test for the HLA-B27 gene, or an

Treatment includes exercise and physical therapy. These will help reduce stiffness so that you can stand up straighter and move around better. Your doctor will also give you medicine for pain and swelling.

Because people with ankylosing spondylitis may be at a higher risk for spinal cord injury, it's important that you wear a seat belt every time you drive.

You will need to get regular eye exams to check for inflammation in your eye, called iritis. You may use a device such as a cane to help you walk and to help reduce stress on your joints.

Surgery for the spine is needed in the form of Deformity Correction only if the amount of deformity warrants so. You may want to think about hip or knee replacements if you have severe arthritis in those joints.

There is no cure for this disease. But early diagnosis and treatment can help relieve pain and stiffness and allow you to keep doing your daily activities for as long as possible.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is age-related wear and tear of spinal discs leading to chronic low-back or neck pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It occurs due to disc dehydration, repetitive stress, or injury.

A herniated or slipped disc happens when the soft inner gel leaks out of a disc and irritates nearby nerves. It causes sharp back or neck pain radiating to the arms or legs, numbness, or weakness.

Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves and causes back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, or difficulty walking. It is most common in older adults.

Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, producing back pain, nerve pressure, muscle tightness, and posture changes.

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. It may cause uneven shoulders or hips, back pain, fatigue, and breathing issues in severe cases.

Kyphosis is excessive rounding of the upper back (a “hunched” appearance) that can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced spinal flexibility.

Lordosis describes exaggerated inward curvature of the lower back or neck which may cause swayback posture, discomfort, or muscle strain.

Radiculopathy is nerve-root compression in the spine causing radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs.

Myelopathy is spinal cord compression resulting in balance problems, coordination issues, weakness, and bladder or bowel changes.

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory spine arthritis that causes stiffness, morning pain, and reduced spinal flexibility. Severe cases may cause bones to fuse.

A spinal cord injury disrupts signals between the brain and body, which can lead to partial or total loss of movement and sensation below the injury level.

Spinal osteoarthritis involves degeneration of cartilage and facet joints in the spine, causing back pain, stiffness, and sometimes nerve compression.

Weak bones from osteoporosis can cause vertebrae to collapse, leading to sudden pain, loss of height, and spinal deformity.

Spondylosis refers to age-related degeneration of the spine including discs, vertebrae, and joints, leading to chronic spine pain and stiffness.

Spinal instability means abnormal movement between vertebrae, often causing persistent back pain, nerve irritation, and difficulty standing or walking.

Facet joint syndrome is inflammation or degeneration in the small joints of the spine, causing localized pain that worsens with twisting or extension.

Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency where nerves at the spinal cord’s base are compressed, leading to severe leg pain, saddle numbness, and bladder/bowel dysfunction.

Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine and spinal cord don’t properly form, causing mobility challenges, neurological symptoms, and possible bladder issues.

Scheuermann’s disease is a structural kyphosis in teenagers caused by wedged vertebrae leading to a rounded back and persistent back pain.

Syringomyelia is a condition where a fluid-filled cyst forms inside the spinal cord, causing nerve damage, muscle weakness, and sensory disturbances.

A spinal tumour is an abnormal growth in or near the spinal cord that can cause back pain, numbness, weakness, and mobility issues.

Cervical radiculopathy is a pinched nerve in the neck causing arm pain, tingling, or hand weakness. Often due to disc herniation or arthritis.

Sciatica occurs when nerves in the lower spine are compressed, producing sharp leg pain, numbness, and burning sensations down the leg.

Whiplash is a neck injury from sudden forceful movement, leading to neck pain, headaches, muscle stiffness, and limited motion.

Craniocervical instability involves excessive movement where the skull meets the spine, causing neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and neurological symptoms.

Spinal TB is an infection that weakens the vertebrae, causing chronic back pain, deformity, and sometimes nerve compression with leg weakness.

Spinal deformity refers to abnormal spinal alignment such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis that can cause pain, imbalance, and breathing restrictions.

Chronic low back pain lasts longer than 3 months and is often due to mechanical or degenerative spine issues like disc wear, muscle strain, or arthritis.

Cervical spondylosis is age-related degeneration in the neck causing chronic neck pain, stiffness, and nerve irritation.

Lumbar facet pain is arthritis or inflammation in the lower-back joints causing pain with bending backward or twisting.

A cervical disc herniation occurs when a disc in the neck bulges or ruptures, causing neck pain, arm pain, numbness, or hand weakness due to nerve pressure.

A lumbar disc herniation is a slipped disc in the lower back that compresses the sciatic nerve, leading to sharp leg pain, tingling, and difficulty walking.

Spinal cord compression happens when pressure from discs, bone spurs, tumors, or trauma affects the spinal cord, causing weakness, balance problems, and neurological symptoms.

Cervical myelopathy is spinal cord compression in the neck causing clumsy hands, gait instability, and progressive limb weakness.

A compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebra, often linked to osteoporosis or trauma, leading to acute back pain and posture changes.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction causes lower back and buttock pain due to inflammation or abnormal motion at the sacroiliac joints between spine and pelvis.

Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve, causing buttock pain and leg numbness similar to sciatica.

Spine trauma includes fractures, ligament tears, or disc injuries from accidents, often causing severe pain and sometimes nerve damage.

A disc bulge is when the disc protrudes without tearing, potentially irritating nerves and causing localized or radiating spinal pain.

Bone spurs are bony growths from arthritis that can narrow nerve passages, leading to stenosis and nerve irritation.

Cervical stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck causing neck pain, arm symptoms, and sometimes spinal cord compression.

Lumbar stenosis is narrowing in the lower back that causes leg pain, heaviness, and difficulty walking long distances.

Acute low back pain lasts less than 6 weeks and is commonly caused by muscle strain, ligament sprain, or minor disc irritation.

Failed back surgery syndrome describes persistent or recurrent pain after spine surgery due to scar tissue, instability, or incorrect diagnosis.

Spinal infection (discitis or osteomyelitis) causes severe back pain, fever, and possible neurological symptoms, requiring urgent treatment.

Arachnoiditis is inflammation of the spinal nerve lining causing chronic burning pain, numbness, and mobility issues.

A tethered spinal cord remains abnormally anchored, causing neurological symptoms, back pain, and bladder dysfunction.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic condition where spinal motor neurons weaken, resulting in progressive muscle weakness.

Osteoporotic fractures can create progressive spinal curvature, height loss, and chronic back pain in older adults.

Discogenic pain comes directly from damaged discs causing deep axial spinal pain during sitting or bending.

This causes upper-back pain from irritation where ribs connect to the spine, often worsened by breathing or twisting.

Spinal claudication causes leg pain and weakness while walking due to nerve compression from lumbar stenosis.

Adjacent segment disease occurs when levels above or below a fusion degenerate faster, leading to pain and instability.

Cervical strain refers to overstretched muscles/ligaments in the neck causing stiffness and tension headaches.

Lumbar strain is injury to lower-back soft tissues typically caused by improper lifting or sudden twisting.

Disc protrusion describes moderate disc bulging that can irritate nerves and cause localized spinal pain.

A spinal cyst is a fluid-filled sac causing pressure on nerves and disrupting sensation or movement.

Cerebellar tissue descends and blocks spinal fluid flow causing headaches, neck pain, and balance problems.

Mechanical back pain is movement-related pain from muscles, discs, or joints without nerve damage.

Neuropathic pain results from nerve injury or compression, creating burning, shooting pain.

Hyperkyphosis is excessive forward curvature of the spine that worsens posture and causes muscle fatigue.

This pain improves with movement and may indicate autoimmune conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis.

Postural back pain stems from prolonged sitting, screen use, and ergonomic issues causing muscle strain.

Misalignment affects spine balance, creates uneven load, and leads to chronic spine pain.

The sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle causing leg shooting pain without spinal damage.

An annular tear is a small tear in the disc’s outer layer, causing sharp localized pain and inflammation.

Spine swelling from trauma or inflammation compresses nerves and causes neurological symptoms.

Certain spine issues respond well to minimally invasive procedures that reduce pain and recovery time.

Chronic neck pain lasts over 3 months due to arthritis, posture stress, or disc degeneration.

Ligament damage in the spine causes instability, swelling, and pain during movement.

Thoracic outlet syndrome compresses nerves or vessels near the shoulder causing neck and arm symptoms.

Arthritis in the lower-back facet joints causes pain while standing or arching backward.

Neck facet joint arthritis leads to stiffness, localized pain, and limited head rotation.

Scoliosis at birth due to vertebral malformation, potentially worsening as the child grows.

Spine curvature developing in adulthood from degeneration, causing imbalance and back pain.

Narrowing of nerve passageways causing radiating limb pain and weakness.

Facet joint cysts can compress nerves, resulting in back pain and sciatica-like symptoms.

Weak neck muscles cause difficulty holding the head upright and severe cervical fatigue.

Excess weight stresses spinal discs and joints, increasing risk of degeneration and pain.

Slouched or forward-head posture strains muscles and accelerates spinal wear.

Non-cancerous spinal tumors may cause localized pain and nerve compression if enlarged.

Cancers from other organs can spread to the spine causing severe pain and neurological decline.

Calcified discs become stiff, painful, and less shock-absorbent with age.

Neck joint or nerve irritation causes radiating pain to the head and face.

A sac filled with spinal fluid near nerve roots causing chronic nerve pain.

Radiation therapy can weaken vertebrae and irritate nerves leading to pain.

Children may experience back pain from poor posture, sports overuse, or scoliosis.

Arthritis can shrink nerve passageways leading to chronic spine pain and tingling.

Loss of disc height increases friction between vertebrae and causes chronic pain.

Overworked back muscles tighten and cause sudden sharp pain and restricted movement.

Persistent symptoms after whiplash injury including headaches, dizziness, and neck pain.

Excessive inward lower-back curvature causes swayback posture and muscle fatigue.

Fractures or ligament injuries destabilize the spine, requiring urgent stabilization.

Degenerative changes can cause spondylolisthesis, producing chronic pain and nerve issues.

Athletic trauma may pinch nerves causing sharp radiating pain and numbness.

Lower-back discs wear down causing stiffness, pain, and reduced shock absorption.

Disc dehydration in the neck leads to pain, limited range of motion, and radiculopathy.

Inflammation compresses nerves and increases paralysis risk without rapid treatment.

Scar tissue from injury or surgery can irritate nerves causing chronic pain.

Long-term spine pain results from a combination of structural issues, nerve irritation, and lifestyle factors.