Spine surgery specialist

The spine is a complex system involving the cervical (neck), thoracic, and lumbar (low back) regions. With age, all patients develop degenerative disk disease and some arthritis, which for most patients is mild and manageable. In some patients, however, the degeneration can be more severe and cause stenosis (pressure on the nerve or spinal cord). Because each vertebra can cause pain in different areas of the body, the pain from the disease can be sensed in the back, leg, neck, or the arms. When patients develop stenosis, they can develop arm or leg pain. In severe cases, patients can have weakness as well. Most problems are treated without surgery, but when surgery is indicated, the goal is primarily to take pressure off the nerves or spinal cord.

In some patients, the spinal column can be bent forward (kyphosis) or to the side (scoliosis). Kyphosis or scoliosis can affect children as well as adults, and is best managed by a surgeon with specialized training and a team approach with all of your doctors.

What Can Cause Lower Back Pain?

The most common causes of lower back pain include:

Muscle or Ligament Strain

Constant strain on your back can cause painful muscle spasms, especially if you’re not in the best physical condition. Sudden, awkward movements and/or repeated heavy lifting can also strain spinal ligaments and back muscles.

Ruptured or Bulging Disks (Disk Degeneration)

Your disks act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. As you age, your disks become less flexible and the soft material inside can bulge, rupture, or tear more easily and press on a nerve. This gradual, aging-related wear and tear is called disk degeneration, and can happen with even a minor twist or strain. You can, however, have a ruptured or bulging disk without back pain.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change. This is the most common form of arthritis and can affect the lower back. As mentioned previously, arthritis of the spine can also lead to spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spaces within your spine which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through it.

Osteoporosis

The body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue, but with osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn’t keep up with old bone removal, resulting in weakened bones that can break easily. When this affects the spine, the vertebrae become porous and brittle and can develop painful fractures.

How to Relieve Back Pain

Here are some ways you can relieve back pain at home:

1. Stay Active
   

   This may seem like the last thing you want to do when you’re experiencing back pain, but it’s important to try to keep up with your usual level of daily activity, whether that includes a daily run, bike ride, or a brisk 30-minute with your dog. Incorporating movement at least three times a week is crucial, as being sedentary allows the muscles around the spine to become weak, meaning less support for the spine and more long-term problems and pain.

2. Strengthen and Stretch
   

   Strengthening exercises can help support your spine, especially those that target your abdominal core. Yoga, pilates, and tai chi are all practices that not only strengthen, but stretch your muscles too.

3. Use Heat, Ice, Creams, and OTC Medication
   

   For 20 minutes at a time, use a heating pad if you’re trying to relax tight or stiff muscles, and ice if you’re experiencing swelling or inflammation. When not using heat or ice treatment, consider using ointments, salves, patches, or skin creams to relieve stiff, tense, and sore muscles. Over-the-counter medication like NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) can help lower inflammation that can lead to tenderness and swelling.

4. Focus on Your Posture
   

   Maintaining good posture can help ease pressure on your lower back. While sitting down, rest your arms evenly on the desk or table and keep your eyes level with the top of the screen. While standing, keep your head centered over your pelvis without craning your chin forward or slouching your shoulders.

Videos on the Spine and Orthopedic Procedures

Comprehensive Care for Lumbar and Cervical Disk Disease

Experiencing severe back or neck pain due to lumbar or cervical disk disease can be debilitating. Our approach ensures you understand all your surgical options and the journey before, during, and after surgery. We focus on providing relief so you can regain your mobility and quality of life.

Spinal Surgeries Performed

We perform a variety of surgeries to address spinal deformity, instability, and stenosis. These include decompression procedures such as:

• Laminotomy
• Laminectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• Laminoplasty

Additionally, we offer restorative procedures including cervical and lumbar disc replacements and pars repair. We only rarely recommend spinal fusion, reserving it for cases where it is the only option to stabilize and restore the spine. When fusion is necessary, we utilize the most modern, minimally invasive approaches to deliver the best possible results.

We ensure each patient is informed and comfortable with their treatment plan. Our team is dedicated to discussing each option in detail, helping you understand the procedures best suited to your needs. This way, you can confidently embark on your path to recovery.

Most problems are treated without surgery, but when surgery is indicated, the goal is primarily to take pressure off the nerves or spinal cord. Surgery may be recommended for spinal stenosis if nonsurgical treatment isn’t working effectively.

Typically, nonsurgical options are explored first, such as:

• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Lifestyle modifications

However, if these methods fail to relieve symptoms, surgery becomes a viable option to alleviate the pressure causing discomfort or pain. This approach ensures that surgery is considered only when absolutely necessary, aligning with our commitment to patient-centered care.

How Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Benefits Patients

Minimally invasive spine surgery offers a host of benefits to patients. This advanced medical approach is designed to reduce trauma to the body, which facilitates quicker and smoother recovery.

Key Advantages:

• Reduced Pain: Smaller incisions often mean less postoperative discomfort compared to traditional open surgery.
• Faster Recovery Time: Patients typically enjoy shorter hospital stays and quicker returns to daily activities. This is due to the reduced impact on muscles and tissues.
• Lower Risk of Infection: The smaller incisions decrease the likelihood of infections, promoting safer healing.
• Precision and Safety: Advanced imaging technologies, like MRI and CT scans, guide surgeons ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Patients seeking effective solutions for spine issues can therefore benefit from these minimally invasive techniques that prioritize patient safety and comfort.

When Is Surgery Necessary for Sciatica, and What Does It Involve?

Sciatica can often be managed with nonsurgical treatments, including medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. However, surgery might become necessary when these methods fail to provide adequate relief or if the condition significantly impacts daily activities and quality of life.

When to Consider Surgery

Surgery is typically considered in the following situations:

• Persistent Pain: If severe pain persists despite prolonged use of conservative treatments, surgery may be required.
• Weakness or Numbness: Experiencing significant weakness or numbness in the leg, which affects mobility, is a strong indicator.
• Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control: This is a rare but serious condition requiring immediate surgical attention, known as cauda equina syndrome.
• Diminished Quality of Life: When sciatica interferes with daily routines to an intolerable degree, surgery might be the best option.

What Surgery Involves

Surgical procedures for sciatica primarily focus on relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. The most common method is a lumbar discectomy, where part of the herniated disk pressing on the nerve is removed. Another approach is a microdiscectomy, which is less invasive and uses a microscope to remove the disk fragment.

Benefits of Surgery:

• Quick relief from pain.
• Improved function and reduced discomfort.

Considerations:

Recovery time may vary.
As with any surgery, there are risks, including infection or nerve damage.
Consult with a healthcare provider to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of surgery for sciatica, ensuring it’s the right decision for your health scenario.