Did you know that up to 80% of the US population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives? Whether you’ve already experienced this condition or not, it’s good to know more about it and how it can be treated. Here at Modern Orthopedic Spine Specialists in Thousand Oaks, CA, Dr. Armen Oganesian performs a number of orthopedics treatments, such as endoscopy, that can help you to get back on your feet.
Pain in the back is a general term for a vast variety of issues that affect patients of all ages. Sometimes, it is caused by a shock or a sudden injury, but often, the pain comes on gradually over time. With a large proportion of the population working at desk jobs, often sitting in suboptimal chairs, it’s no wonder that this condition is so common. Let’s have a look at some of the ways your surgeon can help you manage your symptoms that don’t involve invasive surgery.
Diagnose Your Orthopedic Condition
The first thing your doctor should do is diagnose the condition. You can’t get better if you don’t know what the issue is and what has caused it. They might first ask you about your symptoms and how long you have had them, then suggest imaging techniques such as an MRI. Once you know exactly what the problem is, you can make a more informed choice about the interventions you’d like to try.
The above image is an MRI of one of Dr. O’s patients with a herniated disc. This particular case required surgery, but not all cases merit this.
Attempt Non-operative Treatment Methods First
There is a lot of advice out there about fixing and managing pain in your lower back, but not all of it is of very high quality. For this reason, it’s usually best to get in touch with a specialist who can tell you exactly what you should and shouldn’t do. If you’re overweight, the first thing your surgeon might suggest is losing some weight to take pressure off the bones and joints.
Next, they will have a look at your other lifestyle habits, such as your posture and whether you do enough exercise. They may advise you to participate in rehabilitative back exercise and to add more physical activity into your daily life.
Good surgeons always work up the invasiveness ladder – meaning they attempt non-invasive solutions and work towards surgery only when necessary. Starting patients in a quality physical therapy program with a professional therapist can help manage a patient’s back problems on a regular basis. Supplemental injections such as epidural steroids or facet joint injections may also be considered. Surgery is usually the last resort. Nevertheless, a minority of patients will require surgery with the appropriate management.
Fix Pain in the Spine Through Endoscopy
Most people don’t want to have invasive surgery if there is an alternative, as such a procedure significantly affects their lives and comes with a long, slow recovery process. Here at the clinic, we have an alternative for you: an innovative type of minimally invasive spinal surgery that doesn’t require you to stay at the hospital for many days or spend the next months resting at home.
What’s more, its applications are wide and variable, so you might be eligible if you have a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, or a similar condition. The best way to find out whether you’re eligible is to speak to your local specialist.
The back is central to your body’s function, and it’s easy for it to get injured or painful over time. Your orthopedic surgeon is here to help with minimally invasive diagnostic methods and treatments. Call us now at Modern Orthopedic Spine Specialists in Thousand Oaks, CA to book your initial consultation with fellowship-trained Dr. Armen Oganesian. You can call us at 805-370-0748, or email us at info@themodernspine.com.
You can also visit our office at:
250 Lombard Street
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Recent Comments