10 Benefits To Seeing A Spine Surgeon

If you suffer from back pain or related symptoms, such as muscle weakness or numbness in the limbs, the cause may be an underlying spine condition that requires surgical treatment. Therefore, you should see a spine surgeon about your symptoms as soon as you realize there is a problem. Below, we'll explore some of the biggest benefits associated with seeing a spine surgeon.

Benefit 1: Diagnosis

One of the most important things you'll get from a spine surgeon is a diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Often, the cause of your symptoms is unclear, which means that you can't yet address the issue.

The symptoms of many common spine conditions can mirror one another. When you meet with a spine surgeon, he or she will start by asking you about your symptoms, in order to get a comprehensive understanding of what you're experiencing. Next, he or she will physically examine your spine and any related parts of the body. Based on these results, the doctor may order diagnostic imaging such as an MRI. Finally, the doctor will be able to definitively diagnose the cause of the symptoms.

Benefit 2: An Expert Opinion

When you meet with a spine surgeon, you'll have the chance to get their expert opinion on your condition. A spine surgeon will have extensive training in spine health and surgery. Based on their training and experience, they will be able to recommend a course of action that will treat your symptoms in the short term, while also addressing the underlying cause in the long-term. 

Benefit 3: Non-Surgical Treatments 

In most cases, your doctor will recommend some non-surgical treatments, either on their own or as an addition to surgery. Non-surgical treatments such as medication can provide great relief from symptoms in the short term, while treatments such as physical therapy can help with your overall spine health in the long term. The right treatments for you will depend on the exact nature of your spine conditions and your symptoms, so it's important to see a doctor to get the right recommendations.

Benefit 4: Minimally Invasive Treatments

Spine surgeons can now offer a wide range of minimally invasive spine treatments. In contrast, only open spine surgery was available for many years in the past.Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and many other spine conditions can now be treated in an outpatient setting using only microscopic incisions. This type of treatment is less costly, less risky, and associated with better outcomes for patients.

Not all spine conditions can be treated with minimally invasive surgery, but the majority of cases can be resolved with these methods. Because of the potential for better outcomes, it's best to choose a spine surgeon who has expertise in minimally invasive surgery. Even if you have been told in the past that you are not a good candidate for traditional spine surgery, you may still be a good candidate for treatments like laser spine surgery.

Benefit 5: Expertise in Pain Management 

Pain is a complex phenomenon, and great strides have been made in the management of pain in recent years. Pain management is its own field of medicine, where new discoveries are being made and new methods are being developed. When you see a spine surgeon who also has expertise in pain management, you can get more comprehensive treatment for your pain as well as the underlying issue causing the pain. Therefore, it's a good idea to look for a doctor who has experience in pain management as well as in spine surgery - this allows you to get the most effective possible treatment.

Benefit 6: Spinal Health Promotion & Maintenance

It's important to get treatment for spine conditions as they develop. At the same time, the treatments you'll receive from your spine surgeon will set you up for a lifetime of spinal health promotion. For example, you will learn exercises that help to relieve acute spine pain symptoms. You'll also get guidance in lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and smoking cessation, that could prevent future flare-ups.

Benefit 7: Patient Resources

Your spine surgeon will be able to direct you to resources that will help you in your quest for improved spine health. For example, your doctor will be able to provide literature and information about your diagnosis and any treatments you receive. He or she may also recommend a trusted physical therapist or chiropractor to complement the treatment you're getting. The resources you get from a spine surgeon can be very valuable.

Benefit 8: Improved Quality of Life

Simply put, getting effective treatment for a chronic spine condition means improving your overall quality of life. Untreated pain can have a dramatic effect on your quality of life. Often, people become less able to participate in their normal activities, so that family relationships and personal interests suffer. At the same time, work productivity can drop. When you find long-lasting relief from your pain, you'll be able to embrace life as you used to.

Benefit 9: Better Overall Health

Your overall health will improve when you get treatment for a chronic spine condition. Left untreated, pain can actually influence many aspects of your health. For example, anxiety and depression are common among people with chronic pain, as is insomnia. In addition, issues like decreased immune response can arrive. Treating the underlying cause of pain can help resolve these issues.

Benefit 10: Long-Term Health Care Savings

When you don't get treatment for your spine pain, it's likely that you will eventually end up needing much more medical treatment over time, especially considering the long-term health effects of untreated pain. Getting effective treatment now means not just better health and quality of life, but long-term health care savings as you may need less health care in the future.

If you have been suffering from spine pain or related symptoms, the experts at the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center would be happy to help. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or give us a call at 1-800-474-7746.