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Back and Spine Problems

Millions of Americans complain of back pain, which can be caused by many different conditions. Sutter Health network back and spine experts can help.

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Types of Diseases

  • Back Pain
  • Compression Fractures
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Diskitis
  • Herniated Disc
  • Kyphosis
  • Neck Pain
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis
  • Spina Bifida
  • Spinal Cord Abscess
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Spinal Stenosis (lumbar or cervical)
  • Spinal Tumor
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Whiplash

Back and Spine Problems Facts and Stats

Back and spine problems affect millions of Americans, sometimes limiting an active life.

  • Scoliosis, a disorder that causes a sideways curve of the spine, runs in families. The most common type, idiopathic scoliosis, is often diagnosed in the early teen years.
  • Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability in the U.S. It is the second most common cause of doctor visits.
  • There are more than 3 million reported cases of herniated discs each year in America.

Patient Information

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Find a Back and Spine Specialist

Help for Back Problems

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Therapeutic Care for Back Pain

Sutter Health network back and spine specialists offer many treatments for back pain that don’t require surgery.

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Get the Right Diagnosis

Back pain can be caused by a wide range of factors, which is why getting an accurate diagnosis is key. Sutter care centers provide diagnostic services to help.

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Help for Children with Back Problems

Our pediatric back and spine specialists treat congenital deformities, scoliosis and more.

Ask an Expert

Rakesh Donthineni

Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

I'm in my 50s and was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my back. Will the pain get worse as I get older? And is there anything I can do for the pain besides pain medication? Also does this condition ever require surgery?

Degenerative disc disease is part of the 'wear and tear' of the spine that occurs with age and use. Back pain is very common and best managed with the appropriate medications, exercises to keep your trunk/core ... continue reading  about  I'm in my 50s and was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my back. Will the pain get worse as I get older? And is there anything I can do for the pain besides pain medication? Also does this condition ever require surgery?

Ask the Expert Team

Ask the Expert Team

Sutter Health

What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?

Sciatica is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This is typically felt on the back of the thigh and down the back of the leg. There are many potential causes of sciatica. These can include spinal ste... continue reading  about  What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?

Joshua C. Richards

Joshua C. Richards, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

What is the difference between a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

There is no real difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc. The discs are the cushions which allow motion between the vertebrae in your spine. As time goes on, or from an injury, the discs can weak... continue reading  about  What is the difference between a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

Arfan Din

Arfan Din, D.O.

Sutter Medical Foundation

I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?

Back pain can generally be divided into two categories: Acute (less than four weeks duration)Chronic (greater than four weeks duration)Acute back pain is very common and is one of the top reasons that patients ... continue reading  about  I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?

Karen Pantazis

Karen Pantazis, M.D.

Sutter Amador Hospital

I've been taking vicodin for a number of years because of chronic back pain. My concern is that I've become dependent on them. Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?

This is a common concern for many patients taking pain medications. Yes, there is a difference between addiction and physical dependence.There are several terms that are important to understand related to takin... continue reading  about  I've been taking vicodin for a number of years because of chronic back pain. My concern is that I've become dependent on them. Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?

Karen Pantazis

Karen Pantazis, M.D.

Sutter Amador Hospital

My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

It is not unusual for patients who take pain medication and are depressed due to chronic pain to have diminished interest in sex. It could be due to the medications, the depression, the chronic pain, diminished... continue reading  about  My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

Rakesh Donthineni

Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?

Like all nerves, the sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord and is made up of a bundle of those nerves. It travels within the pelvis, and exits the pelvis to the back of the thigh deep into the buttock. ... continue reading  about  Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?

Rakesh Donthineni

Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

Could you explain a surgery named spinal decompression, and describe the risks?

Spinal decompression is essentially a surgery to remove pressure on the spinal cord or nerves within the spinal canal. Depending on the location and severity of the problem, the surgery involves removing parts ... continue reading  about  Could you explain a surgery named spinal decompression, and describe the risks?

Rakesh Donthineni

Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

What are the risks and benefits of lower back fusion surgery? What would you recommend a person try before surgery?

Lower back fusion surgery is an option for severe back pain, typically due to advanced arthritis and/or spine instability, that has not responded to non-operative methods. These non-operative methods include th... continue reading  about  What are the risks and benefits of lower back fusion surgery? What would you recommend a person try before surgery?

Health and Wellness

Decoding Back Pain

Is This Serious? Decoding Back Pain

Learn how to know when back pain requires medical care and when you can treat it at home.

Is This Serious? Decoding Back Pain Is This Serious? Decoding Back Pain

Experts Who Partner With You

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Back and Spine Services

The Sutter Health network includes back and spine specialists with expertise in treating back pain. Learn about advances in treatments for you and your family.

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site
Matthew G. MacDougall, M.D.

Matthew G. MacDougall, M.D.

  • Neurosurgery

Peter B. Weber, M.D.

Peter B. Weber, M.D.

  • Neurosurgery

  • Spine Surgery

View All Related Doctors

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