Are You a Good Candidate for Spine Surgery?

Back pain is one of the most common reasons Americans visit doctors. Many orthopedic issues, particularly arthritis and other joint problems, manifest themselves in the spine. To understand why back pain sometimes needs to be treated with surgery, it helps to understand the underlying factors that cause the majority of routine back problems.

Common spinal problems, such as stenosis and herniated discs, tend to be caused by injury and/or age. Most problems in the spine occur in the lower (lumbar) portion of the back. The lower back area bears the most weight, and therefore has a great amount of strain placed on it. Conditions that affect higher parts of the spine, especially the highest (cervical) portion, tend to be more serious and harder to treat.

Most common back problems, such as herniated discs, are caused by damage to the joints and vertebrae. This can occur slowly with age, as the joints became less lubricated and damage occurs gradually over time. It can also happen due to a single instance of injury; additionally, age makes injury more likely to occur.

As with any condition, the first line of defense against back pain is to try conservative treatments. After diagnosing your back pain, your doctor will prescribe treatments such as medication and epidural injections to reduce inflammation (and thus pain) in the affected area. Physical therapy is also a common solution to back problems. As the core and back muscles become stronger, the joints bear less weight, reducing pain. These efforts can be especially effective for treating acute pain.

If these treatments do not work to reduce your pain, or if you have additional symptoms such as neurological problems, then it’s time to consider spine surgery. Most back problems, if they cannot be treated otherwise, can be reduced or eliminated using spine surgery — which is now more effective than ever thanks to laser spine surgery, such as the eDiscSculpt Technique developed by Dr. Sukdeb Datta. Only a doctor can tell you what treatment is best for you.

To discuss diagnosis and treatment with a leading surgeon in the field, please call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery & Pain Center. We have six locations conveniently located in the New York and New Jersey areas. Click here to schedule an appointment.

 
 
 

Dr. Sukdeb Datta of Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery & Pain Center is a highly regarded and widely published specialist in the fields of pain management and spine care. In 2016, Dr. Datta was once again selected for Super Doctors of New York, a listing of outstanding physicians from more than 40 medical specialties who have attained a high degree of peer recognition or professional achievement. This is Dr. Datta’s fourth consecutive year receiving this honor.

This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not take the place of in-person medical treatment. The information conveyed here is not a medical recommendation. Consult Datta Endoscopic or your physician for a personalized medical diagnosis and treatment plan.

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