Spine Conditions We Treat

At Maxim Spine, we treat the full range of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions — from herniated discs and sciatica to spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and spinal instability. Our board-certified neurosurgeons see patients at four New Jersey offices in Cedar Knolls, Morristown, Bridgewater, and Verona.

Every condition below links to a page explaining what it is, what causes it, and how it is treated. If you are not sure which one describes your symptoms, start with the symptom guide further down this page.

Spondylosis is an age-related condition that affects the spine. Over time, spinal discs may lose hydration or shrink, and bone spurs can form, leading to stiffness, discomfort, or pain along the spine. Some individuals may experience few or no symptoms, while others may notice tightness, aching, or limited movement

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the bones in the lower spine (vertebra) slips forward over the bone below it. This often occurs after a small crack develops on both sides of a vertebra, a condition called spondylolysis, typically due to repeated stress or overuse. The slipping vertebra can stretch the disc below it, potentially causing lower back pain, stiffness, or nerve-related symptoms.

Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces within your spine become too narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This narrowing can occur in the neck, mid-back, or lower back and may cause pain, numbness, or weakness depending on the location.

Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction occurs when the SI joints, which connect the base of the spine (sacrum) to the pelvis, do not move properly or become inflamed. These joints help support the upper body and absorb impact between the spine and legs. Dysfunction can lead to pain in the lower back, hips, buttocks, or even down the legs, often worsening with activities like walking, sitting, standing, or climbing stairs.

Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves sideways, often forming an "S" or "C" shape. These curves can occur in the upper back (thoracic spine), lower back (lumbar spine), or both. While mild curves may not cause noticeable problems, larger curves can affect posture, balance, and, in some cases, breathing or nerve function.

Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down each leg. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, it can produce pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along its path. Symptoms often start in the lower back or buttocks and radiate down the back of the thigh, sometimes reaching the calf and foot. Pain can range from sharp and shooting to dull and burning.

Radiculopathy is a condition in which one or more nerve roots in the spine become compressed or irritated. This pressure disrupts normal nerve function and can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates along the path of the affected nerve. Symptoms vary depending on which nerve roots are involved and their location along the spine.

Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttocks, irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve. This can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the buttocks that may radiate down the back of the leg. Symptoms often worsen with activities such as sitting for long periods, walking, running, or climbing stairs.

Neuropathy is a condition in which nerves become damaged or irritated, disrupting normal signal transmission between the nervous system and various parts of the body. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning, or aching sensations typically affecting the extremities, and may impair daily function

Neck pain and stiffness are common conditions that can affect people of all ages. Discomfort may range from mild soreness to sharp pain and can extend from the base of the skull to the shoulders. Stiffness may make it difficult to turn, tilt, or move the head normally. While often temporary, persistent neck pain may signal an underlying spinal or nerve condition.

Myelopathy refers to dysfunction of the spinal cord that arises when it becomes compressed or irritated. This condition can occur anywhere along the spine, not just the neck, and may lead to significant neurological symptoms if left untreated.

Kyphosis is a condition where the upper back curves forward more than normal, creating a rounded or hunched appearance. This spinal curve can affect posture, alignment, and mobility, sometimes leading to discomfort, stiffness, or fatigue. Kyphosis may be mild and correctable with posture improvement, or more severe and require medical treatment.

A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of an intervertebral disc tears, allowing the inner gel-like material to protrude and potentially irritate nearby nerves. This can lead to symptoms such as radiating pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and sometimes headaches—depending on the spinal region affected.

Headaches are a common condition that can range from mild discomfort to severe, disabling pain. They come in many forms, each with different symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches. Identifying the type of headache is important in finding the most effective relief.

The bones in your spine, called vertebrae, can break just like any other bone. When one of these bones collapses, it is known as a vertebral compression fracture. These fractures most often occur in the mid to lower spine (commonly around T11, T12, and L1) and are usually caused by osteoporosis, a fall, or trauma. They can also happen when the spine is bent forward under pressure, causing the front of the vertebra to collapse into a wedge shape. This often leads to pain, reduced mobility, and changes in posture.

Where Does It Hurt?

Most patients arrive describing a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Use this as a starting point, not a diagnosis — pain often refers away from its source.

Neck pain, or pain running into the shoulder, arm or hand — commonly neck pain and stiffness, herniated disc, radiculopathy, or myelopathy. Headaches originating in the neck are covered under headaches.
Mid-back pain, between the shoulder blades — often spondylosis, compression fracture, or kyphosis.
Lower back pain that stays in the back — frequently degenerative change, spondylolisthesis, or SI joint dysfunction.
Pain radiating from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg — classically sciatica, but also piriformis syndrome or lumbar radiculopathy.
Leg pain or heaviness that comes on when walking and eases when you sit or lean forward — a common presentation of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Burning, tingling or numbness without clear back pain — may point to neuropathy.
Visible curvature, uneven shoulders or hips — scoliosis or kyphosis.

When to See a Spine Surgeon

Seeing a surgeon is not the same as scheduling surgery. A consultation is about getting an accurate diagnosis and an honest read on your options, and in many cases we confirm that continued non-surgical care is the right course.

It is reasonable to seek a surgical opinion when:

Pain has persisted beyond six to twelve weeks despite physical therapy, medication and activity modification
Pain radiates into an arm or leg rather than staying local
You have developed weakness, numbness, or a change in coordination or balance
Walking distance is limited by leg pain that eases when you sit down
Injections gave temporary relief that keeps wearing off
You have been told you need surgery and want a second opinion

Seek emergency care immediately — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room — if you develop sudden loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly worsening weakness in both legs. These can indicate cauda equina syndrome, which is a surgical emergency.

How Spine Conditions Are Diagnosed

Diagnosis starts with your history and a physical examination, not with a scan. Where your pain travels, what makes it better or worse, and what a neurological exam shows will usually narrow the possibilities before any imaging is ordered.

Imaging is used to confirm and localise, and each type answers a different question. X-rays show bone alignment, fractures and instability, particularly on flexion and extension views. MRI shows soft tissue — discs, nerve roots, the spinal cord and ligaments — and is usually the study that matters most in spine surgery planning. CT shows bone detail in cross section and is useful when planning instrumentation or assessing a fracture. Nerve conduction studies and EMG can help distinguish a spinal nerve problem from a peripheral one.

One point worth understanding: imaging findings are common in people with no symptoms at all. Disc bulges and degenerative changes appear on scans of pain-free adults routinely. What matters is whether the finding on the scan explains the symptoms you actually have, which is why the examination comes first.

Non-Surgical Care Comes First

The majority of spine conditions improve without an operation. Before surgery is considered, most patients work through some combination of physical therapy and targeted exercise, anti-inflammatory or nerve-pain medication, activity modification, and image-guided injections such as epidural steroid or facet injections.

Surgery becomes the reasonable next step when that course has been given a fair trial and symptoms persist, when there is measurable neurological deficit, or when there is structural instability that conservative care cannot address. If you have not yet worked through non-surgical options, we will tell you that plainly and help you plan the sequence.

Read about the procedures we perform when surgery is indicated, or request a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spine Conditions

Can a herniated disc heal on its own?

Often, yes. Many herniated discs improve over weeks to months as the displaced material shrinks and inflammation around the nerve settles. That is why conservative care is usually tried first. Surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite that, or when there is weakness or significant functional loss.

What is the difference between sciatica and piriformis syndrome?

Both produce pain along the path of the sciatic nerve, so they can feel similar. In sciatica, the nerve is usually irritated at its root in the lower spine, commonly by a herniated disc or stenosis. In piriformis syndrome, the nerve is irritated further along its course by the piriformis muscle in the buttock. Examination and imaging distinguish them, and the treatment differs.

My MRI shows a bulging disc. Do I need surgery?

Not on the strength of the scan alone. Disc bulges and degenerative changes are found routinely on scans of people with no back pain whatsoever. The question is whether that specific finding accounts for your specific symptoms and examination findings. A scan is one input to the decision, not the decision itself.

Why does a problem in my neck cause numbness in my hand?

Nerves that supply the arm and hand exit the spine in the neck. When a disc or bone spur compresses one of those nerve roots, symptoms are felt along the territory that nerve supplies rather than at the point of compression. Which fingers are affected often tells your surgeon which level of the cervical spine is involved.

Is my lower back pain coming from my spine or my hip?

They are frequently confused. Hip joint problems often produce groin pain and pain that worsens with rotation, while spinal causes more often produce pain radiating down the back of the leg. The sacroiliac joint is a third possibility, producing pain to one side of the lower back and buttock. Examination usually separates them, sometimes with a diagnostic injection.

When is back pain a medical emergency?

Go to an emergency room or call 911 if you develop loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thigh area, rapidly progressing weakness in both legs, or back pain accompanied by fever after a recent infection or procedure. Back pain following significant trauma also warrants immediate evaluation.