Reality Checkup: Neuro Alert Reveals 5 Myths About Spine Surgery

    WHITE PLAINS, NY, August 29, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Evidence suggests that 8 out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Sadly, there is a great deal of confusion about spine pain and spine surgery, which may preclude some people from getting the help they need.

The pointers below shed some light on the important issues, pertaining to back surgery.

1. Spine surgery is Crucial for Treating Chronic or Recurring Back Pain

There is little evidence suggesting that spine surgery is more effective than some other, less invasive methods for alleviating back pain. Furthermore, according to some studies, only a small percentage of back pain sufferers are in need of major surgery. There is a wide range of alternative treatments that can address and alleviate the pain, including physical therapy, chiropractic care or muscle balance therapy.

2. Spine Surgery Will Cure Back Pain Completely

Here is what spine surgery can do - it can reduce pain, correct deformities and improve function. Therefore, after experiencing some improvement, most patients can get back to normal and resume their daily activities. However, some patients may experience only partial relief or even endure greater pain than before. It is important to know that spine surgery may not relieve pain if a patient is a smoker or if the pain is caused by a hip joint problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential in order to ensure proper treatment and patient well-being.

3. Spine Surgery Has Too Many Risks

Well..this statement is partially true. There are inherent risks in every major surgical procedure, including spine surgery. While some kinds of spine surgery are very involved, there are a number of modern, minimally invasive procedures (i.e. Intraoperative Neurophysiological Neuromonitoring, also known as IONM) designed to minimize the risks and dramatically improve clinical outcomes, while keeping the healthcare costs down.

Another good example is endoscopic discectomy, where the spine specialist makes a small incision in the back, using modern instruments to remove parts of a herniated disc, without cutting bone or muscle.

4. If I See a Spine Specialist, I Will End Up Getting Surgery

As we pointed out above, spine surgery is usually recommended in only a very small percentage of cases. These recommendations are reserved for patients with a very specific diagnosis or patients who have tried all other treatments and did not recover. Even though, most individuals will experience some back pain in their lifetime, an overwhelming majority of people will eventually get better without surgery. Sometimes, all you need to do is make a few lifestyle changes to keep your spine healthy.

Here is another thing you should know...Not all spine specialists are surgeons. Neurologists, physical therapists, physiatrists, anesthesiologists and others offer nonsurgical treatment of spinal conditions or back pain.

5. I Will Be Out of Work for a Long Time After Surgery

While we suggest that patients take it easy for a few days following surgery, and get all the rest they need, they can return to work as soon as they are up to it. In fact, most patients are back on the job within days.

About Neuro Alert

Neuro Alert is a physician-owned and operated company providing intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) services for surgeons, surgical groups and hospitals since 2006. The rapidly-growing Westchester NY-based organization was founded by Dr. T.V. Seshan - a renowned physician, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, who has been actively involved in intraoperative monitoring over the course of 30 years. The simple yet crucial monitoring procedures, offered by Neuro Alert, are set up to detect any neurological deficits during major surgeries, allowing surgeons to gain instant feedback about their patient's condition and avert potential adverse affects. Neuro Alert consists of a team of experienced and highly-skilled physicians and technical professionals who work together to enhance treatment precision, reduce physician liability and ensure patient safety. For more information about Neuro Alert, please visit http://neuroalert.com/
or call (888) 787-6267

Press Contact
Steve Goldstein
(888) 787-6267
email: [email protected]

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