Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/244291
Dr. Joseph Morreale of North Suburban Medical Center, left, and Dr. William Choi of Sky Ridge Medical Center, right, say back pain does not always signal a need for surgery. As spine surgeons, they always work with patients on finding less-invasive means to relief before considering surgical options. Although they acknowledge that seeing a spine surgeon can be daunting, local spine specialists Dr. Joseph Morreale of North Suburban Medical Center and Dr. William Choi of Sky Ridge Medical Center say the majority of cases they see are treated with non-surgical therapy. "A lot of people have back pain, but not a lot of people need back surgery," Morreale says. Nonetheless, treating the common ailment can take time, work, and even lifestyle changes to keep surgery at bay, the doctors say. About 90 percent of the population will suffer an aching back at some point in their lives, but the pain will usually reside within six weeks. For his patients at the Center for Spinal Disorders in which that is not the case, physical therapy, often six to 12 months, will ensue, Morreale says. In most cases, if patients make those exercises a part of their lives, physical therapy relieves the pain. "But it is never 'do a few months of therapy and you're done.' It needs to be a life change," he says. Sometimes, injections and medications are necessary for finding relief, Morreale says. Treating the causes of the back pain also must be a therapy priority, before surgery even becomes an option, Choi says. Colorado's active residents make up many of his patients at Precision Spine Center, he says, and often they have to modify their lifestyle. For instance, running on pavement and lifting free weights are things he tells his patients to avoid in favor of running on treadmills or padded tracks and using weight machines. Conditions of aging, such as osteoporosis (weakened bones) and osteoarthritis (degenerated joints) can cause back pain. Losing weight, adhering to an exercise or physical therapy regimen, and using supplements are common non-surgical treatments for these conditions, Choi says. Exercise if often key, with weak midsections a common back-pain cause, Morreale says. Exercise therapy for back pain emphasizes two main things: flexibility and building core strength, he says. "Most people don't have good core strength and need to work on it as part of a regular exercise program." Chiropractic and other alternative treatments also can be a huge help for some people, Morreale says. "I tell people, 'If it is working, don't stop.'" It is a misconception that surgeons are primarily interested in operating, Morreale says. "I'm a spine surgeon, but I really specialize in spine care. Even if someone does not need surgery, I can direct their care. In the overwhelming majority of cases, we are able to help people without operating. It is only after they have maximized other options that we consider surgery." Back surgery What You Need to Know How do I know if I need surgery? •If you have numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs. "When back pain is accompanied by numb ness or tingling in the extremities, that tells us that nerves are compromised in some way, and we are more likely to look at surgery," Choi says. •If the pain resulted from a traumatic injury. •If your pain is sabotaging your quality of life. "People can wait, they can exhaust other options, but when it is affecting their lifestyle, causing them to not do things they enjoy, that is when people really need to think about doing something," Morreale says. Can I boost chances of success? •Don't smoke. "We have terrible results with smokers," Morreale says. •Lose weight if necessary. "Weight is a huge factor," Morreale says. "Anyone carrying much extra weight is going to have trouble." Choi agrees, adding: "Obesity puts a lot of strain on the back." •Do your rehabilitation. How long will recovery be? Every case is individual, but in many cases, advanced technology has allowed for much more minimally-invasive procedures and dramatically shorter recovery times than in the past. Both Choi and Morreale stay apprised of and trained in state-of-the-art surgical treatments. Health and Wellness Magazine • 85