An accurate diagnosis must come before treatment. If back pain lasts more than 2–3 weeks — especially in older adults — see a spine specialist promptly. Early, precise diagnosis with clinical examination, X-ray, CT, MRI or biopsy often means surgery can be avoided or delayed.
Common after age 60
Chronic back pain is common in people over 60. In older adults, a fracture in the spine is a frequent cause — often due to osteoporosis, following a trivial fall or lifting, or from an underlying condition such as infection or a tumour.
Osteoporotic fractures can be managed medically and, where needed, with minimally invasive procedures such as kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty.
No age bar
Tumours can occur in the spine too. If you have been diagnosed with or treated for a tumour anywhere in the body and you develop spine pain, consult a spine specialist soon — tumours can spread to the spine.
Almost all spinal tumours are treatable, with or without surgery, when found early. Accurate early diagnosis with CT, MRI and biopsy helps you stay active.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. It is often first noticed by a spine specialist during a routine examination. About 2–3% of children are diagnosed with scoliosis by age 16, and it is more common in girls than boys.
Early diagnosis in children matters — an untreated spine grows crooked rather than straight. Caught early, bracing can limit the abnormal growth and surgery can be avoided. Larger curves need surgical correction.
Degenerative spine
Wear and tear of the spinal joints, with excess bone and ligamentum flavum, narrows the space around the spinal nerves and blocks nerve conduction.
Symptoms include dropping objects, clumsiness of the hands, imbalance or difficulty walking, and heaviness or numbness in the hands, thighs, legs and soles. Some patients have difficulty passing or controlling urine.
Sciatica / slip disc
Commonly called sciatica or slip disc. It affects people who do heavy physical activity or have a weak spine. Around 90% of patients recover without surgery when diagnosed early.
Symptoms include sharp, shooting pain that starts in the neck or back and travels down the arms or legs.
Including spinal tuberculosis
Like the liver, lungs or kidneys, the spine can be affected by infection. In India the most common cause is tuberculosis.
If you have disabling back pain with weight loss, poor appetite or fever, consult a spine specialist. Early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis can avoid surgery — it can often be treated with chemotherapy alone.
Micro · microscopic · key-hole · endoscopic
Patients often know it as micro surgery, microscopic surgery, key-hole surgery or endoscopic surgery. It can be used across most spinal pathologies, and it supports early recovery and a faster return to daily routine.
If pain has lasted more than two to three weeks, book an evaluation. Early diagnosis gives you the widest range of treatment options.
