FAQ

Accurate diagnosis requires a combination of your symptoms, physical examination, and imaging studies like MRI or X-rays. Different conditions can cause similar symptoms, so it’s important not to self-diagnose. For example, leg pain might be caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or piriformis syndrome. During your consultation, Dr. Sherief will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, examine you thoroughly, and review any scans to identify the exact cause of your problem.

Some spine conditions are progressive and may worsen over time, whilst others remain stable or even improve with conservative treatment. Degenerative conditions like spinal stenosis or scoliosis can gradually worsen, potentially leading to increased pain or neurological symptoms. However, not every spine problem requires immediate intervention. Dr. Sherief will assess whether your condition is likely to progress and discuss the risks of delaying treatment versus the benefits of early management.

This is called referred pain or radicular pain, and it happens when a nerve in your spine becomes compressed or irritated. The nerve carries signals to specific areas of your leg or arm, so when it’s affected at the spine level, you feel symptoms along the pathway that nerve supplies. This is why a herniated disc in your lower back can cause sciatica down your leg, or a cervical disc problem can create pain radiating into your arm. Treating the spine problem typically resolves the limb symptoms.

Both. Many spine conditions like degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis are related to natural wear and tear that increases with age. However, younger people can develop spine problems too. Herniated discs often affect people in their 30s and 40s, scoliosis can develop during adolescence, and spinal injuries can occur at any age. Some conditions have genetic components, whilst others result from injury, posture, or repetitive strain.

Not always. MRI and CT scans are excellent for showing structural problems like herniated discs, fractures, tumours, and spinal stenosis. However, some sources of pain, particularly muscular or mechanical back pain, may not show clear abnormalities on imaging. Additionally, scans sometimes reveal changes that aren’t causing symptoms. This is why clinical assessment is crucial. Dr. Sherief correlates your symptoms with imaging findings to determine what’s actually causing your problem, rather than treating scan appearances alone.