When To Consider Back Pain Treatment From a Neurosurgeon

Typically, people seek over-the-counter or at-home remedies for back pain treatment. However, those can only go so far. Some cases require the attention of a neurosurgeon.

Back pain treatment: The role of a neurosurgeon 

A neurosurgeon is a specialty medical professional whose primary focus is the central and peripheral nervous systems, which include the brain, spine, and nerves. They can perform noninvasive and invasive procedures to treat or manage conditions affecting these systems. Since back pain is triggered by a problem with either of these systems, neurosurgeons are the perfect professionals to consult for treatment.

What causes back pain?

Back pain treatment is a broad term. The neurosurgeon will likely be looking to address spinal disorders or trauma, often the root cause, to correct the side effects — back pain. Spine disorders can include arthritis, degenerative disk disease, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and fractures along the vertebrae. The majority of these disorders result from improper use of the back, inflammation, infection, trauma, or simple wear and tear of the body.

Symptoms of a spinal disorder

Spinal disorders can be tricky and often go undiagnosed for a while due to patients trying back pain treatments at home for a while before they seek medical intervention. Therefore, what may have started as a minor issue may blossom into a more severe one. That is why it is recommended that patients see a neurosurgeon immediately if they experience the following symptoms along with their back pain:

• Balance issues
• Bowel dysfunction
• Pain in the extremities
• Facial pain
• Limb weakness
• Tingling in the back or extremities

How a neurosurgeon provides back pain treatment

A neurosurgeon will provide various back pain treatments, ranging in invasiveness. Which one they recommend depends on the cause of the pain and its severity. They will also consider the patient's age and medical history. Some treatments the neurosurgeon may consider are:

Lumbar decompression

This back pain treatment, sometimes called a laminectomy, removes part or all of the lamina from the lumbar spine. The aim is to create more space for the nerves, which can alleviate pain and other accompanying symptoms.

Lumbar disk replacement

This back pain treatment addresses degenerative or damaged disks. Disks are cushions situated between each vertebra or bone along the spine. When they are moved, worn, or damaged, pain can ensue. This treatment aims to replace compromised disks with artificial ones comprising metal, plastic, or both.

Kyphoplasty

This back pain treatment primarily addresses compression fractures. It involves inserting a balloon-like device to inflate the sunken vertebra, helping it regain height and create enough space to insert bone cement. This last step helps prevent the vertebra from further collapsing.

Microdiscectomy

This back pain treatment, sometimes called microdecompression, aims to remove any material in or along the spine that causes pain or impedes the nerves.

Spinal fusion

This back pain treatment, also called a lumbar fusion, involves the neurosurgeon fusing two or more bones in the spine, using a bonelike material and holding them together with metal screws, rods, or plates. The aim is to prevent movement between them, effectively alleviating pain.

Vertebroplasty

This back pain treatment uses bone cement, similar to kyphoplasty. However, instead of treating a sunken vertebra, it treats fractures.

Relieve your back pain

We at Randall Porter, M.D. understand how back pain can affect your daily life, physical health, and mental health. That is why we provide various back pain treatments to get you on track. If you are ready to see how we can help you, contact our Phoenix office and schedule a consultation today.

Request an appointment here: https://arizonaneurosurgeon.com or call Randall Porter, M.D. at (602) 603-8951 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.

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