Specific Conditions
'Slipped disc'
There is no actual condition called 'slipped disc'. It is called that because when a disc tears in a herniation or prolapse, it bulges out to one side, and so looks like it has 'slipped'.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is where there is a tear in the fibres of the Annulus, leading to a bulging of the disc. The bulging disc presses on the nearby nerves leading to pain in either the arm or leg (Sciatica).
Disc Prolapse
In a prolapsed disc, the Annulus tears fully, and the toothpaste-like Nucleus oozes out of the disc, coating the nearby nerves and causing pain into the arm or leg (Sciatica).
Joint Strain
A joint strain is characterised by inflammation/swelling in the joint and restricted mobility of the joint.
Muscle/tendon strain and ligament sprain:
Nerve root impingement:
A pinched nerve can be caused by pressure from a disc/joint/inflammation/muscle. It will cause pain and other sensations in the area of the body supplied by that nerve. Typically, pinched nerves in the neck will cause pain in the arm, and pinched nerves in the lower back will cause pain in the leg.
Bursitis:
Adhesive Capsulitis:
Adhesive capsulitis is an auto-immine condition where the body produces a 'treacle-like' substance in the shoulder joint, which then hardens causing very limited range of movement in the joint.
A recent and seemingly very effective method of breaking down the adhesions in frozen shoulder to increase joint mobility is 'arthrographic distension/dilitation' and it is performed on the NHS.
It can therefore significantly reduce pain and recovery time. Patients I have treated who have had this procedure have reported excellent results.
Plantar Fasciitis:
Achilles tendinitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Groin strain
Fibromyalgia:
Partial discectomy:
Here the part of the disc that is bulging out is surgically removed, thereby releasing any pressure on a nerve in a disc herniation.
Fitting of an interspinous 'widget'/spacer:
As we get older and suffer wear and tear in our spine, the intervertebral discs can narrow, resulting in a narrowing of the intervertebral foramen (holes) through which the spinal nerves pass, causing nerve impingement. This condition is called Spinal Stenosis.
During surgery, a titanium widget/spacer is placed between the affected vertebrae to maintain a suitable distance between them inorder to maintain foramen size where no pressure is exerted on the spinal nerves.
