Back and Neck Pain
Back and Neck Pain
Coping with Back and Neck Pain
Eighty percent of the population will suffer from back or neck pain at some time. Some develop problems after an accident, but for many people the pain just develops over time. Many times this pain will resolve without treatment. However, some of these episodes can become chronic, which means they will cause pain indefinitely.
What Causes The Pain?
Discs are the "shock absorbers" of your spine and act as spacers between vertebrae. As discs degenerate, they lose their water content and height. This can cause a portion of the disc to herniate (protrude) which could affect your nerves and cause pain.
Methods of Treatment
The treatment of back and neck pain ranges from reassurance that nothing is wrong to extremely delicate surgery. Each case is different and the approach to care must be individualized. Treatment falls into several categories:
- Exercise
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic manipulation for the relief of pain
- Cortisone shots
- Surgery
Choosing Surgery
Microscopic discectomy is one of the most common spine surgeries. It is used in the removal of a herniated disc to relieve pressure on a pinched nerve root. With the help of a microscope, the surgeon makes a one-inch incision to remove the part of the disc that is causing the problem.
Patients are pleased to learn that the surgery is generally done on an outpatient basis. Patients are usually able to resume modified activities within a few days; full recovery time is generally four to six weeks with heavy lifting restricted for six to twelve weeks. The Orthopedic Institute surgeons perform over 250 microscopic discectomy surgeries each year. This minimally invasive surgery offers patients relief from pain and returns patients to better daily function.
While microscopic discectomy is the most common procedure, some cases may require more extensive surgery.
- Spinal fusion involves placing a bone graft between two or more vertebrae, causing the vertebrae to grow together or fuse.
- Sometimes special rods or screws are used to provide additional stability to the spine.
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This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem.