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Spine Surgery
Spine surgery is a hallowed part of the
traditional medical
approach to
treating back pain.
Spinal operations have been used to treat almost every type of back pain condition, illness and injury. Technology has improved year over year, leading to better surgical results and fewer
complications.
However, spinal surgery should still be a LAST RESORT when it comes to options for achieving
back pain relief.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Almost every traditional surgical procedure can now performed in a
minimally invasive
variety. Instead of large open surgical wounds with multiple levels of tissue and muscle dissection, many procedures are now done using several small surgical incisions. These small incisions can be optimally placed to allow the surgeon access to the problem area without the need to disturb surrounding healthy tissue. Catheters are inserted into the surgical wounds and small precise instruments are inserted into the catheters to perform the surgical procedure. These minimally invasive procedures use fluoroscopy (live x-ray) and fiber optics to view the interior of the body. The technology of these modern spinal surgeries is amazing and truly creates the environment for a faster, safer and more comfortable
recovery
for the patient.
Spine Surgery as a Treatment Option
Back surgery
should only be considered if there is NO DOUBT as to the actual cause of the pain. If many conservative treatments have failed, make sure to get a
second opinion
on the diagnosed condition before even considering surgical correction. If the diagnosis is not accurate, the surgery will fail, just as all the conservative treatments failed.
Misdiagnosis
of the true cause of the pain is the #1 reason for poor surgical results.
Spine Surgeons
Make sure to shop around when it comes to finding a surgeon to perform any spinal surgery. Many
orthopedic surgeons
are not up on all the latest procedures and techniques in this fast changing field. Just because you have been under the care of a particular doctor does not mean that you have to allow that doctor to perform surgery. If you have to be undergo a major operation, make sure that the actual surgeon is the best and most knowledgeable available.
Recommendation on Spine Surgery
Spinal operations are sometimes used as a “BIG TICKET ITEM” to add $$$ to a doctor’s bottom line. Some less honorable practitioners set up a long regimen of unsuccessful treatments ending with a surgery for the “BIG BANG” of money at the end. Unfortunately for the patient, most of these treatments are either unnecessary or poorly prescribed, and the surgery is used prematurely. Back surgery is not a decision to take lightly. VERY FEW back problems will EVER REQUIRE surgery. Most conditions can be cured through conservative treatment. Remember, even with all the latest technology, spinal surgery is still traumatic and involves considerable
risk.
Think long and hard before agreeing to put your body and future health on the line…
Spine Surgery to Back Pain Home
11/12/06 Revised 7/7/08
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