Spine treatment is a multi-faceted approach that can range from simple solutions like exercises and physical therapy to more complicated interventions like spinal surgery and actual spinal surgery. But sometimes simple is not enough. For some people, preventing Spine Problems becomes an impossible dream because they are already in pain. But for other patients, a combination of simple, straightforward approaches may be enough to alleviate or even eliminate pain.
Non-surgical interventions: Long term complications from spine surgery are often caused by the inability of the surgeon to properly use his or her tools. While sometimes the fault is pure accidents (like when a laparoscope comes into contact with a foreign object), most problems are caused by factors beyond the patient’s control. In cases where non-surgical interventions are insufficient, a combination of surgery, physical therapy and medications can help achieve long-term success rates.
Non-operative interventions: A combination of pain-relieving drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and rehabilitation is recommended for patients diagnosed with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs are prescribed by spine specialists and used in conjunction with specific exercises to treat the underlying cause of pain, swelling and dysfunction in the joints. Spine surgeons also recommend specific diagnostic tests in order to determine if arthritic spine is the cause of symptoms. In most cases, this will involve x-rays, MRI scans, CT scans or blood tests to determine the level of arthritic progression.
Neuromuscular mechanisms: During surgery, spinal cord injuries may result in a loss of one or more cranial nerves. The loss may affect muscle contraction, gait, balance, coordination, posture, and range of motion. The severity of the spinal cord injury and the location of the loss may determine how much the affected nerve will be affected and how it will function. Spine surgeons perform a comprehensive physical exam to evaluate the integrity of the spinal cord and its functions.
Spine Treatment: Spine surgery, referred to as intervertebral disc disease (IVD), is often necessary to repair damaged or degenerated discs between the vertebrae of the spine. Typically, when this condition is suspected, a spine specialist will perform a thorough physical exam, review the patient’s medical history, and order a comprehensive series of laboratory and radiological tests to identify the possible causes of the disorder. Further imaging studies may be necessary to determine if the problem is composed of herniated or degenerated intervertebral discs. When IVD is suspected, Spine surgeons typically recommend treating the spinal cord to prevent further injury or complications. In IVD, intervertebral discs are surgically removed to repair or replace damaged discs or to restore function and preserve the spine.
Spine treatment options include Spine decompression, a minimally invasive form of therapy, and other conservative therapies, such as physical therapy, osteopathy, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture. Spine decompression, when performed by a qualified Spine surgeon, is an outpatient procedure that requires sedation and oral or intravenous fluids to administer and facilitate the procedure. The Spine decompression procedure is beneficial to patients with mild to moderate spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis, but not for patients with severe or life-threatening spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis. Spine decompression is often a first line of treatment for patients with spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis.
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