Have you ever experienced back or neck pain that won’t go away? You’re not alone. Back pain is a common issue; sometimes, it can become chronic spinal pain, meaning it lasts for a long time. In some cases, chronic spinal pain improves with non-surgical treatments like injections. In other cases, surgery may be required to…
Back Surgery
How to Prepare for a Back Surgery
Nonstop back pain can significantly interfere with your daily life. Your doctor may recommend back surgery if conservative (noninvasive) measures do not ease your symptoms. You may have lots of preconceived notions about back surgery, but rest assured that the procedure is much safer and less invasive than ever before. With proper preparation and your…
How Is Lumbar Surgery Performed?
Lumbar surgery is effective for cases where more conservative treatments fail to provide adequate results. Surgery aims to resolve the underlying mechanical issues causing symptoms, such as slipped discs and bone spurs. While surgery can be expensive and may have a lengthy recovery time, it usually improves mobility and offers long-lasting pain relief. Let’s talk…
Can Steroid Injections Help Back Pain for Runners?
We commonly think of injuries to legs, hips, knees, and feet as “running injuries” and consider back pain, not a running injury, per se, but a nuisance that interferes with our running. However, back pain can often come quickly after bending or lifting the wrong way or running too far before warming up. For instance,…
Things to Consider When Choosing a Spine Surgeon
You may be suffering from chronic back pain due to your profession, your favorite hobby, a sports injury, a fall, or an accident. You’re not alone: About 28% of men and 32% of women in the United States struggle with back pain. If your primary care physician has recommended that you have back surgery, you…
Different Types of Scoliosis Treatment Options
Your spine has a natural curve. However, genetics, a tumor, a spinal infection, an injury, or a birth defect can cause an abnormal curvature of the spine known as scoliosis. When it’s mild, it doesn’t require treatment and can be fairly unnoticeable. However, in more serious cases, Dr. Ahlgren or a member of his team…
When Are Steroid Injections a Good Choice in Pain Management?
If you have back pain that is interfering with your quality of life, an orthopedist is your best bet in alleviating the pain on a long-term basis. Whereas oral medications can provide temporary pain relief, injection treatment that is administered by a physician can subdue the pain for weeks or even months at a time….
Importance of Physical Therapy After Back Surgery
Back surgery is a major undertaking. Even if minimally-invasive techniques are used and the procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, back surgery requires a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy. Without proper rehabilitation, patients who undergo back surgery could be immobilized, experience significant pain, and are at greater risk of injury. Patients who…
Recovery from Back Surgery
If your chronic back pain is no longer being relieved by conservative treatment methods, such as physical therapy and medication, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend back surgery. Patients who undergo a back operation usually have been diagnosed with a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, vertebral fractures, degenerative disc disease, or another type of spine condition that…