Many conditions can bring on back issues, from herniated discs to spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. These conditions can trigger pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. And if left untreated, most of these conditions eventually leave you incapacitated.
We start most of our patients with conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, or steroid injections to manage their symptoms. And for many, these therapies work.
But if they don’t and your pain persists despite trying nonsurgical options, minimally invasive spine surgery may be your last but most effective resort.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a modern alternative to traditional open surgery.
Unlike the latter, which requires large incisions and months of recovery, minimally invasive spine surgery uses tiny incisions, specialized instruments, and imaging technology to target the affected area while protecting the rest of your back from unnecessary trauma.
At SEPA Pain & Spine in southeastern Pennsylvania, we see how chronic back pain prevents many of our patients from living a well-rounded life. Our experienced team specializes in expertly carrying out this innovative procedure to help you regain control over your life and live pain-free.
If you’ve been struggling with back pain and nothing seems to help, here are five signs it might be time to consider this procedure.
You’ve tried everything — physical therapy, pain meds, injections, even acupuncture. While these treatments may have provided some relief at first, you find that the pain keeps coming back or has stopped improving.
That’s a sign that your condition might need more than symptom management. Minimally invasive spine surgery isn’t typically the first line of treatment we recommend, but it’s the best next step when conservative treatments fail.
Chronic back pain that continues to worsen over time is a red flag. Pain that started as a mild ache but has progressively intensified can suggest that the underlying condition is deteriorating.
For example, a herniated disc pressing on a nerve can lead to unbearable pain that worsens as the disc degeneration progresses. Minimally invasive spine surgery can remove or repair the damaged disc, relieving your pain.
Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or muscle weakness in your arms or legs may mean that nerves in your spine are compressed or damaged, which can lead to permanent nerve injury if left untreated.
Conditions like sciatica or spinal stenosis often cause nerve-related symptoms.
If simple things like getting out of bed, climbing stairs, or walking short distances feel like a struggle, consider surgery.
You might be avoiding surgery because of the uncomfortable and long recovery time, but minimally invasive spine surgery drastically reduces downtime compared to traditional surgery.
Open-back surgeries may require months of recovery, but if you opt for minimally invasive spine surgery, you could be back to your everyday routines within a few weeks.
Long-term reliance on pain medications is not sustainable. Opioids, in particular, have a high risk of addiction and dependency, and even common anti-inflammatories can cause stomach issues and other side effects.
If you find yourself needing stronger doses to get through the day, it’s a sign that your condition is not improving.
Back surgery no longer has to be a scary procedure. With minimally invasive spine surgery, you get a faster recovery, smaller incisions, and less risk than with traditional surgery. At SEPA Pain & Spine, we ensure you get the best treatment plan for your specific condition.
If you’ve been struggling with back pain and nothing has worked, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at any of our offices in Horsham, Langhorne, Meadowbrook, Chalfont, East Norriton, or Limerick in southeastern Pennsylvania. You can also request one online here.
