The spinal column is one of the most important parts of the human body because it allows us to move and complete our necessary daily activities. When an individual has injured their back, neck, spinal cord, or other area associated with the spine, that injury can have serious debilitating effects on the patient’s life. The same can be said for chronic or genetic conditions which develop in the spine, neck, or back, such as spinal stenosis or spinal deformities.
At New York Spine Specialist, our experienced spine surgeons and orthopedic surgeons have the knowledge, skills, and expertise in spinal procedures to provide the medical assistance needed to relieve the pain and pressure associated with spinal issues. This includes the ability to perform spine surgery. If you are suffering from pain, discomfort, and pressure associated with a problem in your spinal column, contact an orthopedic spine surgeon with specialized training for an examination of your musculoskeletal system and diagnosis of your condition.
What Are Orthopedic Surgeons?
When you visit an orthopedic surgeon, you will be discussing your condition with a medical doctor who has completed a 5-year surgical residency. The training of Orthopaedic spine surgeons focuses on patients suffering from musculoskeletal conditions.
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of just about all bone and joint disorders, including:
- Spinal disorders
- Sports injuries
- Hand injuries and deformities
- Arthritis
- Total joint replacement
- Trauma
- Bone tumors
If you are experiencing spine or neck pain, you may be referred to an orthopedic spine surgeon for diagnosis and treatment, including spine surgery.
Signs You May Need Spine Surgery
As anyone knows, suffering from pain and other associated symptoms in your back, spine, or neck can have a catastrophic effect on your quality of life. Some injuries and trauma may prevent you from completing simple, daily tasks that other individuals take for granted. Even something as easy as getting out of bed or walking to the kitchen may seem impossible with severe spine issues. In these cases, conservative and non-surgical treatments may not relieve the discomfort.
When you visit an orthopedic spine surgeon such as ours at New York Spine Specialist, we will examine your situation, perform diagnostic tests and imaging, and determine if spine surgery is the right option for you. Here are some of the signs that our orthopedic spine surgeons will look for in their determination of treatment methods:
- Long-lasting and chronic pain: When you have injured your back, the pain may feel like it will never subside. In most cases, the pain will begin to diminish within a couple of weeks. However, if the pain does not subside and conservative treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy do not help, you may be a candidate for spinal surgery.
- Radiating pain into the arms and legs: When the pain you are experiencing in your back also radiates into your arms and legs, you are suffering from radiculopathy. Usually, this means that a nerve root in your spine is compressed and under pressure. Orthopedic surgeons and spine surgeons often recommend spinal surgeries for cases involving bone spurs or herniated discs.
- Trauma: If you have been involved in a medical emergency that has caused serious damage to your cervical or lumbar spine, your fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons will likely recommend surgical procedures right away.
When it comes to serious back pain, there can be several reasons that a spine surgeon may opt for the non-conservative option. These include:
- Spinal tumors
- Slipped disc
- Bone spurs
- Degenerative spinal conditions
- Spinal infection
- Broken bones
You must have your spine examined by a professional to diagnose the condition and determine the need for spine surgery.
Risks Associated With Surgical Treatment for a Spinal Condition
As with any surgery, there are always going to be risks involved. Your fellowship-trained spine surgeon will be able to detail the specifics of the procedure and any potential risks that may occur. Surgeries, in general, come with a variety of risks, including anesthesia risks, bleeding, blood clots, infection, lung problems, and persistent pain.
Recovery After Orthopedic Surgery
When it is determined that the spine condition you are suffering will require surgery, you should consider the recovery process following the procedure. This will include such activities as pain management and working to heal. Depending on the severity of your condition before the surgery, your recovery process will be different than other patients’ healing.
After the surgery, your spine care specialist will provide you with post-surgery at-home instructions. These instructions include:
- Wearing a brace
- Avoid sitting for longer than 20-30 minutes at a time
- Not carrying any objects heavier than 10 pounds
- Avoid lifting things above your head
- Strengthen your back muscles with specific back exercises
- Avoid driving for at least 2 weeks
- Take pain medication as prescribed by your physician
It will likely have a lengthy recovery process when treating patients with spinal conditions, so following surgeons’ instructions is important.
Contact Our Orthopedic Spine Surgeons in Elmhurst, NY
If you are experiencing serious pain or discomfort in your spine, back, or neck and have been searching for a reputable New York-based board-certified spinal surgeon to help alleviate the symptoms of your condition. You’ve come to the right place! At New York Spine Specialists, we offer cutting edge treatment options that will best suit whatever type of back pain you might be suffering from – whether it’s chronic low back pain, sciatica (pain radiating down one leg), pinched nerve, arthritis (joint inflammation) or scoliosis (curvature of the spine). We have the medical specialty and training needed to offer treatment options that best suit your condition. We accept most insurance plans including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (Personal Injury Protection).We also specialize in other related conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
