Chapter 54: Spinal Disorders

Cervical spondylosis represents a progressive degenerative process affecting multiple spinal structures in aging populations, potentially leading to nerve root compression with radicular symptoms or, in severe cases, myelopathy with gait disturbance and fine motor deficits. The chapter extensively addresses low back pain, recognized globally as a leading cause of functional disability, distinguishing between acute, subacute, and chronic presentations and differentiating mechanical from nonspecific etiologies, emphasizing that imaging is typically unnecessary in early phases absent concerning clinical indicators. Herniated lumbar discs are examined as a common source of radicular pain following dermatomal distribution patterns, with the chapter highlighting that the majority of cases resolve spontaneously with conservative care within three months. Lumbar spinal stenosis is characterized by canal or foraminal narrowing producing the distinctive symptom of neurogenic claudication, responsive to flexion-based activities and epidural injections. The chapter concludes by addressing surgical emergencies including cauda equina syndrome, which demands immediate neuroimaging and specialist consultation to prevent irreversible neurological damage, and vertebral fractures, which require differentiation between stable and unstable patterns to guide appropriate immobilization or surgical intervention decisions.