Back Pain: Herniated

23. June 2008 admin

The term herniated in the medical world can refer to any number of conditions. However, this page is going to deal with the uses of the term herniated as they are related to the spine and back surgery. In this sense a herniated, or ruptured disc is an intervertebral disc in your spine that is not in proper alignment with your spine.

An intervertebral disc can be found in between two vertebrae, or segments of your spine. If you put your spine through rigorous or improper activities your vertebrae might compress against your discs unusually hard and push them out of line with your spine. When this happens, you have a herniated disc.

Herniated Discs - Other Ways to Get Them
But thats not the only way you can suffer from a herniated disc. You can also get them through gradual misuse of your spine and back muscles. For instance if you often lift things putting stress on your back instead of your legs, you could eventually shove one or more discs out of line.

When the discs are pushed out of line, they can rub against nerves and cause anywhere from slight pain to a lot of pain. Now, before back surgery is possible, you need to make sure that conservative treatments dont work. These are more simple than surgery and are many times successful. But if they are not, then you may be able to get rid of your pain through surgery.

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Back Pain: Annuloplasty

22. June 2008 admin

Intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty is the name of a procedure that can help you deal with discogenic back pain. Its not meant for use in cases of patients suffering from a herniated disc because the procedure does nothing to help a herniated disc. But lets explain the procedure so you can understand why this is.

Discogenic back pain occurs when through normal use (or improper or extreme use, as well), an intervertebral disc suffers wear and tear. This wear and tear can manifest itself as fissures in the outer tissue of the disc, itself. This is what directly causes back pain. The good news is that unlike a herniated disc, when you suffer from discogenic back pain, the pain you suffer is only in your back and nowhere else.

Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty - What it is
If intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty is the procedure your doctor feels you should undergo, heres how it works. A tiny, hollow needle is inserted into the disc, itself. Then, a heating wire or electrothermal catheter is inserted and then heated to 90 degrees Celsius. (Dont worry, youll get local anesthesia!)

What this extreme heat does is cause the outer tissue to contract and the fissures to close. The heat also serves to cauterize the nerve endings in the disc, making them less sensitive to pain. Is this procedure right for you? Only your doctor can tell you that.

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Back Pain: Total Disc Replacement

21. June 2008 admin

Total disc replacement is when you replace an intervertebral disc with an artificial disc. There are a few different things that can lead to his type of procedure. There are also a few things you need to know about this procedure before you decide its right for you.

The first thing you should know is that total disc replacement is like any other back surgery. Its a last resort and should only be attempted after all other more conservative treatments have been exhausted. After all, do you want to go under the knife if theres an easier way to cure your back pain?

Total Disc Replacement - Not in the US
The real catch with disc replacement surgery right now is that its not available in the US. That doesnt mean, however, that you cant undergo the procedure. In fact, there are many cases of Americans traveling to Germany and other countries where it is legal and having the procedure done there.

While clinic trials have begun in the use for this procedure, countries like Germany have hosted doctors that have successfully performed many total disc replacement procedures for several years now. So, while you may not want to buy your plane ticket to Germany just yet, its certainly worth looking into. You can talk to your doctor about it and there is a lot of research on the Web regarding the treatment, too.

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Back Pain: Surgery Overseas

20. June 2008 admin

Surgery overseas is quickly becoming more and more common every day. Perhaps youve heard of situations where senior citizens or other people in need of more reasonably priced medications travel to Canada and/or Mexico for that more reasonably priced medication. Surgery overseas is just like that.

But why would surgery overseas be a necessary alternative to surgery right here in the US? Well for one, if the procedure you need to undergo isnt available in the US you just might want to go where it is available. Theres no reason you should suffer just because the US government has been slow to approve of a particular procedure.

Surgery Overseas - Educate Yourself, First!
There is a big HOWEVER that you have to consider before undergoing surgery overseas. Make sure that the procedure is a safe one. Do your research and make sure that the success rate for the procedure is high. In fact, if you can get an okay from your doctor in the US, first, thats probably the best sign the procedure is safe to undergo.

Just remember that surgery of almost any kind, especially back surgery, should always be considered a last resort. Make sure you give as many conservative treatments a chance to work as you can. Only in cases of emergency should spine surgery be undergone before other treatments are attempted.

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Back Pain: Spine Clinic

19. June 2008 admin

Are you considering a visit to a spine clinic? If youre suffering from back pain or think you might have a herniated or ruptured disc, you might want to seriously consider it. Its also possible that your doctor could recommend a spine clinic to you.

But what are some types of back problems you could be having that would require a visit to a spine clinic? Well, if youve hurt your back after improperly lifting something very heavy then a visit might be in order. Its also possible that you may be suffering back pain caused by repeated misuse of your back muscles. Believe it or not, misuse of your back muscles can cause spinal pain.

Visiting a Spine Clinic
A doctor at a spine clinic obviously specializes in problems relating to the spine. He or she will be able to diagnose your back pain and get you started on conservative treatments. When these treatments are exhausted, back surgery will be considered.

However, it all depends on what is actually causing you pain. So, talk to your doctor and see if a visit to a spine clinic is a good idea. Spine surgery may be in your future. Then again, it may not be.

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