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Suffering From Back or Leg Pain?
Submitted By Stephen Ritter M.D.
08.16.2011
New spinal surgery technique could get you moving quicker
An estimated ten million adults suffer from chronic back pain annually. For some, back pain is so debilitating that it interferes with work, routine daily activities and recreation.
In the past, there were few options for patients who weren’t helped by physical therapy, nerve blocks, back-strengthening exercises or injected medications. But now, thanks to new minimally invasive techniques, more people are not only finding relief, but also regaining their mobility.
The majority of patients suffer spine problems related to degenerative conditions. These degenerative conditions can result in instability and intrusion into the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, causing back pain and/or radiating pain in the arms and legs.
To correct these problems, people who haven’t responded to conservative therapies have opted for spinal fusion, a procedure that fuses the vertebrae together.
A new minimally invasive technique, called Lateral Access Spine Surgery, is making this procedure easier and more effective for patients. Unlike older techniques that access the spine through the back or abdomen, lateral surgery approaches the spine from the side. This avoids disrupting the major back muscles, bones and ligaments.
As a result, operating time is often reduced, patient blood loss is minimized, and recovery time is significantly shorter.
As one of the few physicians in our area performing Lateral Access Spine Surgery, I’ve been impressed with how much it has helped my patients. But like all procedures, lateral surgery may not be suitable for everyone.
If you or a loved one suffers from chronic back or leg pain, I encourage you to make an appointment with a spine surgeon to discuss available treatment options.
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