Spinal disorders can cover a wide range of problems, but the most common areas of the spine that cause discomfort are the neck and lower back. Your neck, or cervical spine, can be injured from trauma, such as car accidents, or become stiff or sore from muscular pain, arthritis, or disc disease. The lower back often becomes painful from lifting or bending but can likewise be involved with arthritic changes and many other conditions. Back pain is the second most common cause of missed workdays due to illness and the most common cause of disability. Fortunately, the vast majority of these individuals can recover completely without surgical treatment. If not, spinal surgery may provide relief of persistent pain and discomfort. The refinement of surgical techniques allows for shorter hospital stays where some spinal procedures are now performed on an outpatient basis. In many cases, highly complex surgical procedures such as exposures through the mouth, chest, and abdomen are relatively common.
