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When to Consider Spine Surgery for Back Pain

It certainly shouldn't be the first choice, you should first try non-surgical treatments for several months before considering back or spine surgery. You should get with an Orthopedic doctor to talk about your back pain and options.

Initial treatment of back pain:

• Rest

• Anti-inflamatory medications

• Heat packs

• Exercises

2nd round of treatment for back pain could include:

• Pain medication

• Muscle relaxers

• Physical Therapy

• Epidural steroid injections

Non-surgical treaments for back pain:

• Acupuncture

• Chiropractic care

• Massage

However, when nothing seems to work, it may be time to consider spine surgery.

Types of Spine surgery:

• Discectomy
  removal an intervertebral disc in order to relieve pressure on a nerve.

• Foramenotomy
  enlargement of the opening where a nerve root comes out of the spinal canal.

• Laminectomy
  removal of the back part of a vertebra in order to access to the spinal cord or to relieve pressure on a nerve root.

• Spine fusion
  fusing the vertabrae together to eliminate movement.

If you are in Dallas, you can see these Doctors:

Orthopaedic Doctors

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons