FAQs About Back And Spinal Cord Injuries

Answers you can trust from experienced New York orthopedic back surgeons

Have a question about back and spine injuries? Wondering why they happen? Or how you even know if you have a back injury? You can find the answers to these frequently asked questions and many more, thanks to the experienced New York orthopedic back surgeons at Island Musculoskeletal Care (IMC Bone Doc).

You can trust us to answer your questions about spinal cord injuries. That’s because our doctors have more than 100 years of combined medical experience. We gained this knowledge based on examining, diagnosing and operating on countless people with back injuries in the greater New York City area.

All our work has taught us that back injuries are often urgent medical issues. That’s why we offer same day doctor’s appointments whenever possible at our seven locations in New York City and Long Island. Each office is equipped with an MRI machine and other advanced diagnostic equipment. That way, we can accurately diagnose what’s wrong in a timely manner.

What is your back or spinal cord injury question?

You likely have a lot of questions about your spinal cord injury or back injury. The questions listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions our doctors often encounter at IMC Bone Doc.

Don’t see your specific question listed above? Don’t worry. You can ask our orthopedic back surgeons any questions you have about your injury during your doctor’s appointment.

Learn more about how our New York orthopedic spine surgeons can help you

Get the medical care you need to properly treat your back or spinal cord injury. Schedule an appointment with an experienced New York orthopedic back surgeon at IMC Bone Doc. Contact us online or call us. Many of our doctors have same day appointments available.

If you need follow up care, we will do everything we can to schedule all your appointments at the same office location. This includes physical therapy. That’s because all seven of our offices have a licensed physical therapist on staff. Because IMC Bone Doc is an in-network medical provider, we accept most forms of health insurance. Count on us when it matters most.

What are common back or spinal cord injuries?

Common back and spinal cord injuries cover a wide range – from minor back sprains to severe bone fractures or degenerative disc diseases. The bottom line is back or spinal cord injuries can be serious and affect every aspect of your life. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced, orthopedic back surgeon examine you right away and diagnose what’s wrong.

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What are common causes of back or spinal cord injuries?

Some injuries are the result of a serious accident, including vertebrae fractures or other broken bones in the back. Other times, back injuries are due to long-term wear and tear. Or perhaps your back problem is due to a congenital condition present since birth. Whatever the circumstances, we want to help.

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What should I do if I think I have injured my back or spine?

Keep your movements to a minimum. In certain circumstances, moving the injured area could aggravate your back or spinal cord injury and make it worse. That’s why it’s important to seek immediately medical care. Otherwise, your injury could get worse without receiving the proper medical treatment in a timely manner.

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Can someone with a spinal cord injury walk again?

It depends. If the spinal cord has been completely severed, someone might not be able to move different body parts – including their legs – below the location of the spinal cord injury. Other times, even if the spinal cord is not severed, walking may be difficult depending on what type of back injury the person sustained.

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How does a spinal cord injury affect the rest of the body?

Spinal card injuries are among the most serious injuries someone can sustain. That’s because someone’s ability to move different parts of their body could be affected if the spinal cord is damaged or severed. Often, parts of the body located below the location of the spinal cord injury cannot move completely or partially. These injuries are often permanent. That’s why it’s critical that you have an orthopedic spine surgeon examine you right away.

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How do I know if I have back injury?

Back pain is one of the most common symptoms of a back injury. Swelling around the injured area, numbness, loss of motion or stiffness in the back are also common. The bottom line is if something feels wrong with your back, seek immediate medical treatment. Make an appointment with IMC Bone Doc today.

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How do I know if my back injury is serious?

The only real way to know whether your back injury is minor or serious is to have an experienced, orthopedic back surgeon examine you. Your examination may include taking an X-ray, MRI or CT scan of your back. IMC Bone Doc has all of these diagnostic tools in-house. That way, we can perform these tests in a timely manner. Having this equipment in-house also allows you to not have to race around from one doctor’s appointment to another in New York.

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How long after my spinal cord injury will I regain motion?

In many cases, you will regain function of some or every part of your body in several weeks or months. If your spinal cord injury was severe, you may never regain the ability to move certain parts of your body. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon examine your back and give you an accurate, honest evaluation of your injury.

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How long does a back or spinal cord injury normally take to heal?

Like many injuries, your recovery time can vary widely, depending on the severity of your back or spinal cord injury. Some injuries take a few weeks to heal. Others take a few months. In general, the recovery time for back or spinal cord injuries is often much longer than the amount time it takes to recover from other injuries. That’s because the spine is such an important and sensitive part of the body.

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How long does a back or spinal cord injury normally take to heal after surgery?

If your back or spinal cord injury is serious enough to require surgery, the amount of time you will need to fully recover from surgery could be several weeks or months. Each surgical procedure is different. That’s why our orthopedic spine surgeons take the time to explain what to expect before, during and after your surgery. After your surgery, we will carefully monitor your progress and make sure you’re healing as scheduled.

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How can an orthopedic spine surgeon help me with my back injury?

Severe back pain and other ailments affecting your spine can make your life very difficult and very uncomfortable. That’s why New York orthopedic spine surgeons take the time to find out exactly what’s wrong with you. That way, we can explain which treatment options have the best potential for addressing the issues affecting your back or spine.

You should not have to live in constant pain or discomfort. Our orthopedic back surgeons want to provide you with the relief you need and deserve. That’s why we want to meet with you right away. Immediate appointments are often available the same day. Contact IMC Bone Doc to discover how we can help you.

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