As a neurosurgeon, I’ve dedicated much of my focus to the intricate world of nerves. However, the spine and nerves are deeply interconnected, and spine care is an essential part of neurosurgery. Even though my passion lies in peripheral nerve surgery, it doesn’t mean I don’t perform spine procedures—I regularly diagnose and treat spinal conditions as part of comprehensive patient care.
Common Conditions I Treat with Spine Surgery
- Herniated Discs
- Occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out and compresses nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or muscle weakness.
- Spinal Stenosis
- The narrowing of the spinal canal, which can place pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often resulting in back pain, leg pain, or difficulty walking.
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- A condition where aging and wear-and-tear lead to the breakdown of spinal discs, causing chronic back or neck pain.
- Spondylolisthesis
- A disorder where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, causing instability and nerve compression, leading to pain and other symptoms.
- Spinal Fractures
- Caused by traumatic injuries or conditions like osteoporosis that weaken the bones, these fractures can cause severe pain and spinal instability.
- Spinal Tumors
- Abnormal growths in or around the spine that can compress the spinal cord or nerves, causing pain, weakness, or neurological symptoms.
- Infections and Inflammatory Conditions
- Conditions like osteomyelitis (bone infection) or discitis (disc infection) that cause severe pain, fever, and neurological symptoms.
Ekkapot Jitpun, MD 