Spine Surgery
Advanced Solutions for Back and Neck Pain
Eight out of 10 adults experience debilitating back or neck pain at some point. Back pain is the second most common cause of missed workdays due to illness and the most common cause of disability.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Trophy Club offers sophisticated solutions for back or neck pain in the local Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Focused on Your Individual Needs
At Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Trophy Club, patients can access expert healthcare professionals in the DFW area, such as physical and occupational therapists and physicians on the medical staff, including orthopedic surgeons and pain management specialists.
Is Spine Surgery Right for you?
As with any surgical procedure, back surgery isn’t an easy decision. But there are times when it’s the best treatment option. If you’re considering surgery, here are some instances that may warrant it.
You’ve exhausted all other avenues of treatment.
In general, back pain alone does not mean surgery is necessary. Six weeks of trying non-surgical options, such as medication and physical therapy, is standard before considering surgery.
Low back pain occurs alone or can be associated with leg pain. Back pain associated with leg pain can be more concerning. The leg pain is critical because it indicates that something is physically compressing the nerves as they exit the spine, such as a herniated disc. In this case, surgery may be necessary for relief because it will directly treat the cause of the pain.
Pain is debilitating.
People who do well with surgery have met several criteria and are debilitated by their pain. Surgery may be a good option if the pain is so extreme it’s affecting your daily activities, ability to function, relationships, and job.
Whatever you decide, learn all you can about your options. It’s critically important to understand the cause of the pain, the diagnosis, the procedure, what recovery is like, and your expectations. Surgery will not remove all pain in all patients all the time, but for most, when indicated, it can make a remarkable difference in improving the pain and their lives overall.
Spine Health in Dallas/Fort Worth
We do our best to stay healthy, but most of us neglect our spine’s health, even though it carries most weight. Here are some easy tips to keep your back in peak condition.
- Perfect your Posture. Slouching or leaning forward when you sit can create increased pressure on the spinal discs and, thus, excess wear and tear over time, leading to muscle tension in your back and your neck. Be more aware of your posture and get a lumbar roll to help position your lower back in slight extension while you sit for prolonged periods.
- Think before lifting. When moving something heavy, clear a path, assess the load, bend at the knees, and lift with your legs rather than your back.
- Stretch Out. Sitting in one position for too long can cause muscle fatigue, strain, and tension. Take breaks to move and stretch.
- Reconsider your footwear. They look pretty, but high heels can reduce your posture and spine alignment. A chunky, supportive heel that’s 2- to 2.5-inches high is optimal.
- Stay Active. As adults, we’re not naturally as fit and flexible as we once were, so make time for cardiovascular exercise and strength training to support your spine—and the muscles that support it.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of injury. They include weakness, numbness, pain, and loss of function in the back, hip, or the extremity.
- Be Proactive. Signs and symptoms should be reported to a physician as soon as they begin, especially if they don’t resolve with time or if they begin to affect your quality of life.
If you develop signs and symptoms of back pain, talk to your physician as soon as possible. The sooner the treatment begins, the better.
FAQs
How do I avoid spine surgery?
Always listen to your physician’s specific advice when it comes to your exact condition, but these five tips can help keep back pain at bay and keep you off the operating table.
- Exercise. Most people think that rest and activity restriction are the best ways to care for back pain, and while these methods can help prevent you from overstressing your spine, exercise can actually strengthen structures and muscles groups in the area. Additionally, exercise gets the blood pumping, helping to deliver oxygenated blood to the area. If normal exercise is too taxing on your spine, consider aqua aerobics to take pressure off your spine.
- Diet/Weight Loss. A healthy diet also plays a big role in the health of your spine. Junk food or foods that are high in sugar or fat can contribute to the development of inflammation in your spine, which can lead to pain or compression in the area. A healthy diet will also help you maintain a healthy weight, which ensures you aren’t overstressing your spine.
- Physical Therapy. Physical therapy is similar to exercise in that it promotes muscle development, but physical therapy specifically targets the problem area(s) of your back. Physical therapy is great for conditions like bulging discs or sciatica pain because it works to relieve compression or pressure in the area. Talk to your doctor about specific physical therapy exercises you should begin for your condition, and don’t just do them during your session at the clinic. Make time to perform some low-impact physical therapy exercises each day.
- Injections. Unlike the first three options, injections aren’t something you can do on your own to help your back condition. That being said, injections can be very helpful at calming pain from an irritated or compressed nerve. There are a number of different pain injections available, so you’ll want to consult with a spine specialist and determine exactly what’s causing your pain before moving forward with an injection. Although they won’t provide full relief, corticosteroid injections can provide short-term and some long-term relief depending on the cause of your pain.
How long after spine surgery can I drive?
As always, you should follow the advice of your surgeon. But, in most cases, you can drive when you feel up to driving and are not taking narcotic pain medications or after clearance by your surgeon. This is usually 2 to 3 weeks after a laminectomy and discectomy and 4 to 6 weeks after a lumbar fusion.
What is endoscopic or minimally invasive spine surgery?
Endoscopic spine surgery is an advanced, state-of-the-art form of minimally invasive spine surgery designed to provide the patient a quicker recovery time and less recurring pain than traditional spine surgery methods. ESS also can help preserve a normal range of spine mobility post-operatively. In some cases, the procedure can be performed using regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia, decreasing overall medical risks in patients who are older and/or have co-existing medical disorders that may increase surgical risk.
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