Back Pain Specialist & Spine Surgeon in Singapore
Dr. Razmi
Orthopaedic and Spine consultant
FAMS (Ortho) | M Med (Gen Surg) (SG) | FRCSEd (Gen Surg) | MBBS (SG)
Dr. Razmi is a spine and orthopaedic consultant at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital who treats a range of spinal conditions associated with back pain. He specialises in minimally invasive spine surgeries, spinal fusion, and disc replacements, and was the first in Singapore to perform stand-alone anterior spine fusion with the Synfix implant.
His research involves spinal disc repair using cell therapy, and he collaborates with the Adelaide Centre for Spinal Research. A regular speaker and trainer, Dr. Razmi also represented Singapore in the ASEAN Orthopaedic Travelling Fellowship and is a member of AOSpine International.
What is Back Pain?
Back pain refers to discomfort, aching, or pain that most commonly affects the lower back, although it can also occur in the middle or upper back depending on the underlying cause. It may involve the muscles, joints, ligaments, intervertebral discs, or nerves around the spine.
Back pain symptoms can vary from person to person but are typically characterised by pain or discomfort in the back, which may occur at rest or during movement. Some people may experience a dull, aching or throbbing pain, while others may describe it as sharp or stabbing. The intensity of the pain may also fluctuate over time.
What are the Common Symptoms of Spine and Back Pain?
Back pain from spinal conditions can present in different ways, depending on the issue and its severity. Common symptoms of back pain include:
- Persistent back pain
- Numbness and tingling in your arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Fatigue and sleep disturbance
- Weakness in limbs
- Muscle spasms around the spine
- Limited range of motion
Learn more about the common causes of back pain.Â
Spine and Back Pain Conditions Treated by Our Back Pain Specialist
Slipped disc
A slipped disc occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, often pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain or numbness.
Spinal instability
Spinal instability refers to abnormal movement between vertebrae, which can occur in any part of the spine. When it affects the lower back, it’s called lumbar instability.
Spinal Tumors
A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth in or around the spinal cord, most often found in the thoracic or lumbar spine.
Lumbar Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is nerve root compression in the spine, often in the lower back, causing pain or numbness down the leg, commonly known as sciatica.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is when the spinal canal narrows, pressing on nerves and causing pain or weakness, often in adults over 50.
Disc Herniation
A disc herniation is when the inner disc layer pushes through the outer layer, often causing pain, usually in the lower back.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves abnormally side-to-side instead of front-to-back and can affect any part of the spine.
Lower Back Pain
Most people experience lower back pain lasting from a few days to a week, affecting the lumbar spine and nearby muscles or nerves in the hips, buttocks, or legs.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition where you experience pain along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates near the base of your lumbar spine (in the lower back) and is the largest nerve in your body.
Tailbone Pain
Tailbone pain (coccydynia) mainly stems from injuries such as falls, which carry a risk of causing damage to the tailbone that can lead to pain and discomfort.
What are the Back Pain and Spine Treatments That We Offer?
Treatments for lower back pain include physical therapy, lumbar epidural steroid injections, spinal fusion, disk replacement and more!
A slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, happens when the soft inner core of a disc, called the nucleus pulposus, pushes through the tough outer layer, called the annulus fibrosus.
Surgery for lumbar radiculopathy is rare and reserved for patients with severe conditions that have seen little improvement after some time. There are non-surgical treatments for this condition, such as first-aid, medications, physical therapy, alternative therapies, and corticosteroids.
A lumbar discectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of an intervertebral disc in the lower back (lumbar spine). It is commonly performed to treat herniated discs, where the soft centre of the disc (nucleus) pushes through the outer ring (annulus).
Lumbar fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the lower spine using bone grafts or implants. By fusing the vertebrae into a single solid bone, the procedure stabilises the spine, reduces painful movement, and helps treat conditions such as arthritis, spondylolisthesis, fractures, or scoliosis.
A lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) involves directly injecting a medication (in this case, corticosteroids, also known as steroids) into the epidural space of your lower back. This epidural space is the fat-filled area surrounding your spinal cord and nerves. The procedure is performed to provide short-term relief of symptoms from a back injury or irritation, swelling, or inflammation of the spinal nerves.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or bone cancer. Vertebroplasty involves injecting surgical cement directly into the fractured vertebra, while kyphoplasty uses a balloon to restore vertebral height before cement injection. Both procedures stabilize the spine, relieve pain, and support recovery, with most patients able to resume daily activities soon after surgery.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) treats chronic pain by delivering mild electrical pulses to targeted areas of the spinal cord. SCS consists of a small device with a built-in power source, connected to insulated wires called leads, which are placed near the spinal cord to deliver low-intensity electrical impulses.
When Should You Seek Spine and Back Pain Specialist?
Here are key signs and scenarios where you should seek medical attention as soon as possible:
- You have pre-existing health conditions.
- You had a previous hip injury.
- You are unable to bear weight.
- The pain worsens after a few days.
- Your mobility becomes limited.
- You experience swelling and redness in the affected area.
FAQs About Back Pain and Spine Treatment in Singapore
Can a slipped disc cause back pain?
Yes. A disc herniation or slipped disc occurs when the cushioning disc between two vertebrae bulges or ruptures and may put pressure on nearby nerves. Depending on the nerves affected, it may cause back pain together with numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain that radiates into the leg.
How is the cause of back pain diagnosed?
Diagnosing the source of back pain generally involves a medical assessment of your symptoms and condition. This may include examining your medical history, a physical examination, checking your nerves and muscles, specialist consultation, and imaging tests where appropriate.
Can back pain be treated without surgery?
Yes. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, back pain may be managed with non-surgical treatments. Physical therapy may help improve strength, flexibility, range of motion, and posture, while medications or epidural injections may be used to manage pain and inflammation.
When may surgery be considered for back pain?
Surgery may be considered for certain spinal conditions depending on the underlying cause and the patient’s condition. Procedures may include spinal fusion for spinal instability, artificial disc replacement for damaged or degenerated discs, laminectomy to relieve nerve compression, or discectomy for a herniated disc pressing on surrounding nerves.
How can I reduce my risk of developing back pain?
Surgery may be considered for certain spinal conditions depending on the underlying cause and the patient’s condition. Procedures may include spinal fusion for spinal instability, artificial disc replacement for damaged or degenerated discs, laminectomy to relieve nerve compression, or discectomy for a herniated disc pressing on surrounding nerves.
Media Coverage
Dr. Razmi was invited to discuss degenerative disc disease, including its preventive measures and treatment options.
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Seek Back Pain Treatments at Our Clinics
Orthopaedic Clinic
Mount Elizabeth Novena
Opening hours:
9 AM to 5.30 PM (Monday to Friday)
9 AM to 1 PM (Saturday)
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Call: +65 6262 3616
Orthopaedic Clinic
Parkway East
Opening hours:
9 AM to 5.30 PM (Monday to Friday)
9 AM to 1 PM (Saturday)
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Call: +65 6970 8916
