One of the things I found helpful in my practice for patients that are understandably concerned or or hesitant to have surgery is when possible to give them an opportunity to talk to one of my patients who has had a similar surgery in the past, ideally recently, and then they can go over and discuss what their experiences were like.
And often if they see a patient in in the office who just had surgery a couple weeks before and is walking around, fine, obviously sometimes with pain, that sets a lot of their fears at ease.
Surgery in the neck, when performed from the front, and patients only need one or two levels, is one of the most successful surgeries of all surgeries performed. What that means is after a patient typically has a herniated disc in the neck that ultimately they need surgery for, if years later they get another herniated disc.
It’s very common for them, even though they were initially very scared about surgery, to want to proceed to surgery very quickly simply because it’s usually a quick outpatient procedure with a high success rate.
When I go about diagnosing a condition, it’s usually a systematic approach. First of all, assessing and talking to the patient. A lot of patients, you walk out into the room, you can tell exactly what’s wrong with them because certain patients with certain herniated discs will sit in very distinct ways. And you know, from the doorway that they have a herniated disc.
Usually the history gives you a good sense of what’s bothering the patient and where the source of the problem is. The valuation can assess beyond the physical exam, to different x-rays, CT scans, and ultimately, of course, probably the single best test as an MRI by.
Lower back pain is a common condition with a variety of underlying causes. Strains and sprains are among the most frequent culprits, often resulting from improper lifting techniques or lifting heavy objects. More severe causes include spinal fractures, particularly in cases of trauma or conditions like osteoporosis.
Spondylolysis, a stress fracture in spinal bones, is common in young athletes. Another cause is bulging discs, which occur when the discs between vertebrae swell, leading to pain, numbness, and difficulty walking. Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of spaces within the spine, can compress nerves and cause significant discomfort.
Lastly, scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, can misalign the spine, placing undue stress on muscles and joints, leading to pain.
To alleviate back pain, several treatments are available. Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxers may be prescribed to ease discomfort. Physical therapy helps strengthen muscles supporting the spine, improves flexibility, and prevents further injury.
Chiropractic adjustments may also be beneficial in improving spinal mobility and reducing pain. In more severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary, particularly for chronic pain due to degenerative conditions like arthritis or spondylolisthesis. The choice of treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the pain.
Specific Causes and Treatment Options for Extreme Lower Back Pain
One of the things I found very helpful if I have another patient in the office who’s recovering from a similar surgery to what I’m recommending to a patient and those two patients don’t mind, I’ll have them talk about what their experiences are.
