Back Surgery Alternatives

Nerve, Joint and Disc Treatment

Back pain is the most frequent reason for doctor visits in the United States each year, but oftentimes patients seek out surgeons for care without knowing that there are back surgery alternatives that are proven to be successful treatment options. While there are severe cases that may require back surgery, most patients can find the care and relief they need through more conservative, less invasive treatments that include interventional spinal procedures such as injections. Injections are performed to relieve pain that is caused by bulging discs or irritated nerve roots in the spine, degenerative or inflamed joints, or tight bands of muscle. During these back surgery alternative procedures strong anti-inflammatory medicines are injected, often along with anesthetic medicine to provide pain relief. The medicine is injected into different areas along the spine depending upon the source of the back pain, but the needle is guided using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to ensure proper placement. There are also back surgery alternatives that involve inserting needles and creating a heat source to temporarily burn nerve fibers that emit painful signals to the brain.

Physiatry for Back Pain Management

Of course each patient is different and requires treatment plans tailored to their needs. The key to proper treatment is to understand the cause of the pain and the pain management specialists at Peachtree Spine like Jeffrey S. Grossman, M.D. are trained in not only treating, but diagnosing back conditions. The goal is to locate the source of the pain, and help rid patients of that pain and return to optimal physical functioning by using the industry's most advanced non-surgical back surgery alternatives. For continued back pain management, a treatment plan may include multiple back surgery alternatives including injections, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy to strengthen core muscles that can affect the development of the spine. Physiatrists are actually also known as rehabilitation physicians who use back surgery alternatives to treat pain and restore function caused by either injury or disabling conditions and additionally work to prevent injury and pain in the future.

Back surgery alternatives may even be an option for individuals who have previously undergone back surgery. Post-laminectomy syndrome, otherwise known as failed back syndrome, develops when painful scar tissue forms at the site of back procedures which can affect nerve roots and cause inflammation. This often happens because the spine was not the source of the problem to begin with. Treatment options often include the same back surgery alternatives recommended for other pain symptoms such as spinal injections, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. Before you consider back surgery, consult with a spine specialist and consider the back surgery alternatives that may prove to be better treatment options. These are minimally invasive procedures that can be performed quite quickly and allow patients to return to their normal activities the very next day. There are much fewer risks involved in back surgery alternatives than with surgery itself, and back surgery is only needed in a very small percentage of cases as most pain problems respond to non-surgical treatments.