Understanding Common Spine Conditions: When to Seek A Spine Specialist in Singapore

Neck Pain

Neck pain often arises from muscle strain, poor posture or age-related cervical disc degeneration. It is commonly seen in office workers who spend long hours at a desk, as well as in older adults with disc or joint changes.

Symptoms may include stiffness, reduced range of motion, tension headaches, or radiating pain into the shoulders and arms. In some cases, nerve involvement can cause tingling or numbness in the upper limbs.

Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons patients visit a spine clinic in Singapore. Causes range from poor ergonomics and weak core muscles in younger adults to wear-and-tear changes and degenerative conditions in middle-aged and elderly patients.

Symptoms may involve dull, persistent aches, sharp pain with movement, or discomfort that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing. Severe cases may affect mobility and quality of life.

Disc Degeneration

As people age, spinal discs gradually lose water content and elasticity, reducing their ability to cushion the spine. This process, known as disc degeneration, is more common in adults over 40.

Symptoms include stiffness, chronic back or neck pain, and reduced mobility, often worsened by bending, twisting or lifting. In some cases, disc degeneration contributes to conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

Facet Joint Arthritis

Facet joints are small stabilising joints in the spine that allow flexibility and movement. With age or repetitive strain, these joints may develop arthritis. Facet joint arthritis typically affects adults over 50 and can cause localised back or neck pain, morning stiffness, tenderness around the joint, and pain that worsens with extension or twisting movements. Advanced cases may lead to reduced mobility and nerve compression.

Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve occurs when spinal structures, such as slipped discs, bone spurs or spinal stenosis, compress nearby nerves. While this can affect adults of any age, it is more common in middle-aged or older individuals.

Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet, depending on the affected nerve. Severe compression may interfere with daily activities or balance.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis refers to an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. It may develop in children and adolescents during growth spurts (idiopathic scoliosis) or in adults due to age-related spinal degeneration.

Symptoms can include uneven shoulders or hips, visible spinal asymmetry, back pain, and fatigue after prolonged sitting or standing. In severe cases, scoliosis may cause breathing difficulties due to reduced chest space.

Slipped Disc (Herniated Disc)

A slipped disc occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer, often pressing on nearby nerves. It is most common in adults aged 30 to 50.

Symptoms include lower back pain, radiating leg pain (sciatica), numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the legs or feet. Some patients may also require sciatica treatment if nerve compression causes severe radiating pain.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries typically result from traumatic events such as falls, sports accidents or road traffic collisions, though they may also occur in older adults with weakened bones. Depending on severity, symptoms may range from numbness below the injury site to partial or complete loss of motor and sensory function. Some patients may experience difficulty walking, impaired balance, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

Spine Fracture

Spine fractures can be caused by high-impact trauma (such as accidents or falls) or by osteoporosis, which weakens bones with age. They are more common in older adults but can affect younger patients after severe injury.

Symptoms include sudden, severe back pain, limited mobility, spinal deformity or neurological symptoms if nerves or the spinal cord are affected. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent long-term complications.

Spinal Infections

Spinal infections, though less common, can occur when bacteria or fungi invade the spinal bones, discs or surrounding tissues. They may affect patients of any age, but the risk is higher in those with weakened immune systems or prior spinal surgery.

Symptoms include persistent back pain, fever, chills, night sweats, and, in advanced cases, neurological deficits such as weakness or paralysis. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent complications.

Spinal Tumours

Spinal tumours may be benign or malignant and can originate in the spine or spread from other parts of the body. They are more often diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults. Symptoms include localised or radiating pain, unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, numbness or neurological deficits caused by spinal cord compression. In severe cases, tumours can lead to paralysis if untreated.