Spinal Surgery
Spine surgery is neither easy nor without risk and sometimes it fails to eliminate the pain - Neel Anand MD
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When is Spine Surgery the Next Right Step?
For anyone who has suffered from back pain and especially for those whose pain is considered chronic (pain that has persisted for three months or longer), there are numerous possible treatment “options” abound—some even boasting the promise to “cure” or offer lasting relief. From gadgets peddled on the Internet, activities or exercises suggested by well-meaning friends and loved ones and yes, even those treatments recommended by health care providers, there is no shortage of ways to approach back pain management.
As a spine surgeon, I am often the final few steps on a patient’s journey to find lasting back pain relief. Depending on where the road has taken them, I sometimes encounter…
Resources
Common Misconceptions About Spine Surgery
Here are some common thoughts people have about spine surgery. Did you know the right answers?
Spine Surgery Myths
Facing the possibility of spine surgery can be scary for many people. However, there are many myths about spine surgery that cloud people’s judgment when it comes to making the best decisions for their health.
The Medical Riddle of Steve Kerr’s Back Pain
Golden State Warriors coach’s herniated disk highlights question of whether to get surgery or try rehab.
The Snake Oil in Spine Surgery: One Spine Surgeon’s Perspective
Spine surgery is an organic field. It’s ever changing and much of the equipment, implants, and techniques used 10 years ago are different today. As the field has evolved, so too has our ability to predict who will benefit from surgery.
Why You Should Never Get Fusion Surgery For Plain Back Pain
A recent Bloomberg article should put the fear of God in anyone who wants to get a fusion operation for low back pain blamed on worn-out spinal discs.
Why ‘Useless’ Surgery Is Still Popular
Take what happened with spinal fusion, an operation that welds together adjacent vertebrae to relieve back pain from worn-out discs. Unlike most operations, it actually was tested in four clinical trials. The conclusion: Surgery was no better than alternative nonsurgical treatments, like supervised exercise and therapy to help patients deal with their fear of back pain. In both groups, the pain usually diminished or went away.
Common Types of Back Surgery
To ensure you make informed decisions about your treatment, it is essential to understand the most common back surgery procedures available.
Spine Surgery: When It Works and When It Doesn’t
If you’re experiencing back pain that stems from your spine, you want to find answers that allow you to return to normal life. After failed non-surgical attempts at recovery, you may consider spine surgery. Back surgery is an ideal solution for some people, but it may not be the right fit for everyone.
When is Spine Surgery the Next Right Step?
For one reason or another, the public has been conditioned to see consideration of spine surgery as an “easy way out” of back pain. I’m here to tell you that nothing can be further from the truth.
International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery - Is a global, scientific and educational society. SAS is dedicated to advancing major evolutionary steps in spine surgery.
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