An orthopedic surgeon evaluates conditions involving the hip joint, bones, cartilage, tendons, and other musculoskeletal structures. Seeing an orthopedic surgeon does not automatically mean you need surgery.
Neck & Back Pain Treatment in Tampa, FL
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon evaluating and treating herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, and other causes of neck and back pain in Tampa, Florida.
Neck & Back Care in Tampa
SunCare Orthopaedics provides orthopedic evaluation and treatment for neck and back pain in Tampa, Florida, including herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and pinched nerves. Phillip A. Pullen, DO evaluates your symptoms, personally reviews available imaging, and considers nonsurgical treatment first when appropriate, with minimally invasive spine procedures or other surgical care discussed when the condition requires it.
WHEN TO GET YOUR SPINE CHECKED
Neck and back problems can affect much more than the spine itself.
Pain may stay in your neck or lower back, but pressure on a spinal nerve can also cause symptoms that travel into an arm or leg.
That is why the location of pain alone does not always tell the full story. Numbness, tingling, weakness, walking tolerance, balance, and how symptoms change with movement can all provide useful diagnostic information.
An orthopedic evaluation helps connect those symptoms with what is happening in the spine before treatment decisions are made.
01
Pain that travels into an arm
A nerve affected in the neck can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers.
02
Back pain with leg symptoms
Nerve irritation in the lower spine can cause pain that travels into the buttock or leg and may be accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness.
03
Pain with prolonged standing or walking
Some spinal conditions can make standing or walking progressively uncomfortable and may cause pain or heaviness in the legs.
04
Persistent stiffness or limited motion
Difficulty turning your neck, bending, standing upright, or completing normal movements can be worth evaluating when it persists.
05
Symptoms that keep returning
Recurring pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness may justify further evaluation when basic activity changes are not resolving the problem.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SYMPTOMS
Where nerve pressure occurs can change where you feel the symptoms.
Neck and lower-back conditions can both affect spinal nerves, but the resulting symptoms often appear in different parts of the body.
Neck & Cervical Spine
Conditions in the neck may cause localized neck pain or symptoms that extend into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers when a nerve is affected.
Neck pain or stiffness
Shoulder or arm pain
Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
Weakness in the arm or hand
Symptoms associated with a pinched cervical nerve
Problems related to cervical spinal stenosis
Lower Back & Lumbar Spine
Problems in the lower spine may cause localized back pain or nerve-related symptoms that travel through the buttock and into the leg or foot.
Lower back pain or stiffness
Sciatic-type leg pain
Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
Leg or foot weakness
Pain associated with a herniated disc
Symptoms related to lumbar spinal stenosis
Is the pain really coming from the hip?
The examination helps distinguish joint problems from surrounding soft tissue and other possible sources of pain.
NECK & BACK EVALUATION
Treatment starts by identifying what is actually causing the symptoms.
A painful spine does not automatically mean a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or surgery.
At SunCare Orthopaedics, Dr. Pullen reviews how the symptoms started, where pain travels, whether numbness or weakness is present, and which activities make the symptoms better or worse.
The physical examination may assess movement, strength, sensation, reflex-related findings, and other signs that help determine whether a spinal nerve may be involved.
Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging. If additional X-rays or MRI are needed, he explains why the study is being recommended and what question it is intended to answer.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Spine care built around the diagnosis, not just the MRI
Imaging matters, but treatment decisions should also make sense in the context of your symptoms, examination findings, nerve function, and everyday limitations.
Find the Source of Symptoms
The evaluation looks at whether symptoms appear to involve the spine, a spinal nerve, or another orthopedic source.
Personal Imaging Review
Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging and explains how relevant findings relate to your symptoms.
Nonsurgical Care First
Conservative treatment is considered first when it has a reasonable chance of helping the condition.
Diagnosis in Plain Language
You should understand what is causing the symptoms and why a particular treatment is being recommended.
Function Matters
Walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, work, strength, and daily function help shape the treatment decision.
Continuity After Surgery
When surgery is required, the same surgeon who performs your procedure sees you during postoperative visits.
YOUR SPINE EVALUATION
From symptoms to a clear treatment plan
The evaluation connects your pain pattern, neurologic symptoms, examination findings, imaging, and functional limitations before treatment is selected.
STEP 1
Your History
Discuss when symptoms started, where pain travels, previous injuries, numbness or weakness, treatments already tried, and the effect on daily life.
STEP 2
Physical Exam
Dr. Pullen evaluates motion and relevant orthopedic and neurologic findings based on your symptoms.
STEP 3
Imaging Review
Available imaging is personally reviewed and additional imaging is recommended when it can provide useful diagnostic information.
STEP 4
Diagnosis
The findings are explained in understandable language so you know what appears to be causing the symptoms.
STEP 5
Treatment Plan
Conservative treatment is considered first when appropriate, with surgical options discussed only when they become the right next step.
NECK & BACK TREATMENT OPTIONS
Spine surgery is not automatically the first answer.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis, the severity of nerve involvement, how much symptoms affect function, and whether appropriate conservative care has a reasonable chance of working.
CONSERVATIVE CARE
Nonsurgical Neck & Back Treatment
When the clinical situation allows, treatment may begin without spine surgery.
Activity modification
Physical therapy coordination
Bracing when clinically appropriate
Injections when appropriate
Monitoring pain, strength, sensation, and function
WHEN APPROPRIATE
Surgical Spine Treatment
When nerve compression or another spinal problem cannot be adequately addressed with conservative care, Dr. Pullen discusses the surgical option with you.
Why surgery is being considered
What problem the procedure is intended to address
What recovery may involve
Realistic treatment expectations
Postoperative follow-up with Dr. Pullen
The smallest appropriate treatment, not simply the biggest procedure.
The surgical approach depends on the diagnosis and the structure causing nerve or spinal compression.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE TREATMENT
Smaller-incision spine procedures when they are appropriate for the problem
Dr. Phillip A. Pullen performs minimally invasive spine procedures at Tampa Bay area facilities for appropriate patients with disc or nerve compression.
Minimally invasive treatment is not automatically the best choice for every spine condition. The first question is whether surgery is needed at all. If it is, the next question is which procedure appropriately addresses the specific cause of the symptoms.
Dr. Pullen reviews the procedure, expected recovery, and realistic outcome with you before you make a treatment decision.
- Diagnosis and location of nerve compression
- Severity and duration of symptoms
- Presence of weakness or other neurologic findings
- Imaging findings that match the clinical symptoms
- Response to previous nonsurgical treatment
- Overall health and treatment goals
TREATMENT COSTS
What affects the cost of neck and back pain treatment?
There is no single cost for treating spine-related pain because a patient who only needs an evaluation has a very different care path from someone who requires imaging, therapy, injections, or surgery.
Insurance plan terms can also affect what a patient pays out of pocket.
Orthopedic Evaluation
The initial visit helps determine the likely source of the symptoms and whether additional testing is needed.
Imaging
X-rays or MRI can affect cost when additional imaging is required to clarify the diagnosis or evaluate nerve compression.
Conservative Care
Therapy, injections, bracing, and other nonsurgical care create different costs depending on the treatment plan.
Spine Procedure
When surgery is needed, the specific procedure, facility, anesthesia, postoperative care, and related services influence the overall cost.
Insurance Benefits
Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, network status, and authorization requirements vary between insurance plans.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CARE
When does an orthopedic neck or back evaluation make sense?
Different care settings serve different purposes. Persistent pain, radiating symptoms, numbness, weakness, or functional limitations may benefit from a more focused spine evaluation.
| CARE NEED | SUNCARE ORTHOPAEDICS | SELF-DIRECTED CARE | WALK-IN / URGENT CARE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Identify the orthopedic source of symptoms and build a treatment plan | Manage mild short-term discomfort | Evaluate acute or urgent symptoms |
| Evaluation of radiating pain | Assessment of symptoms that may relate to spinal nerve irritation or compression | Difficult to determine without examination | May identify the need for further specialty care |
| Imaging decisions | Available imaging personally reviewed and additional imaging considered when needed | Not available | Imaging availability varies |
| Nonsurgical planning | Treatment selected based on the diagnosis and clinical findings | Based mainly on symptom response | May provide short-term treatment or referral |
| Minimally invasive surgical evaluation | Available when an appropriate spine condition requires surgical treatment | Not available | Requires specialty evaluation |
| Ongoing orthopedic follow-up | Follow-through with Dr. Pullen | Not available | Depends on facility and reason for visit |
Some neck and back symptoms require prompt or emergency medical evaluation.
Seek immediate medical attention for new loss of bowel or bladder control, sudden significant weakness or numbness, serious symptoms after a major traumatic injury, or rapidly worsening neurologic problems. Trouble walking or new balance problems associated with neck symptoms should also be evaluated promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
YOUR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
Understand why your neck or back hurts before deciding what comes next.
SunCare Orthopaedics provides neck and back pain evaluation from its Tampa office on West Hillsborough Avenue.
Dr. Phillip A. Pullen reviews your history, symptoms, nerve complaints, examination findings, and available imaging before explaining the diagnosis and treatment options.
Nonsurgical care is considered first when appropriate. If a spinal condition requires surgery, including an appropriate minimally invasive spine procedure, Dr. Pullen explains the procedure, expected recovery, and realistic outcome before you decide.
Phillip A. Pullen, DO
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
CLINIC
SunCare Orthopaedics
PHONE
TAMPA OFFICE
6911 Pistol Range Rd, Suite 103
Tampa, FL 33635
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
COMMON QUESTIONS
Neck & Back Pain FAQs
General information about neck and back pain evaluation and treatment at SunCare Orthopaedics in Tampa. Individual recommendations depend on your examination and diagnosis.
SunCare Orthopaedics evaluates and treats hip conditions including arthritis, bursitis, labral tears, tendon injuries, and other orthopedic causes of hip pain.
Yes. Pain felt around the hip region can sometimes come from structures outside the hip itself, including the lower back. An orthopedic evaluation can help determine whether symptoms appear to come from the hip joint, surrounding tissues, or another source.
Hip arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, loss of motion, and difficulty with activities such as walking, standing, stairs, or getting in and out of a chair or vehicle. Other hip problems can produce similar symptoms, so evaluation is used to establish the diagnosis.
Bursitis involves irritation or inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled structure that reduces friction around a joint. Hip bursitis can cause pain around the outer part of the hip, but other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
A hip labral problem may cause pain, stiffness, catching, clicking, or a pinching sensation with certain movements. Diagnosis depends on the history, examination, and imaging when appropriate.
Yes. Tendons surrounding the hip help control and stabilize movement and can become painful when injured or irritated. Evaluation helps distinguish tendon pain from joint arthritis, bursitis, and other causes.
Not necessarily. The imaging needed depends on your symptoms, history, examination findings, and the suspected condition. Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging and explains why additional X-rays or an MRI may be recommended.
No. SunCare Orthopaedics considers nonsurgical care first when it has a reasonable chance of helping. Surgery is discussed when conservative treatment is unlikely to adequately address the condition or is no longer providing enough benefit.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve activity modification, physical therapy coordination, injections, and other conservative measures. Not every treatment is appropriate for every hip condition.
Hip replacement may become an option when advanced hip arthritis significantly affects mobility and daily function and appropriate nonsurgical care is no longer providing enough benefit. The decision is based on the complete clinical picture rather than imaging alone.
Cost depends on the care required and may include the orthopedic evaluation, imaging, therapy, injections, or surgery when appropriate. Insurance benefits can also affect out-of-pocket costs.
Dr. Pullen reviews your history and symptoms, examines the hip, and personally reviews available imaging. If additional imaging is needed, he explains why. The diagnosis and reasonable treatment options are then discussed in plain language.
SunCare Orthopaedics is located at 8370 W Hillsborough Ave, Suite 103, Tampa, FL 33615. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (813) 515-0840 to schedule a hip evaluation.
