What Is Back Pain? What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain is a very common complaint. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, approximately 80% of all Americans will have low back pain at least once in their lives. Back pain is a common reason for absence from work, or visiting the doctor’s.

According to the NHS (National Health Service), UK, back pain is the largest cause of work-related absence in the United Kingdom. Although back pain may be painful and uncomfortable, it is not usually serious.

Even though back pain can affect people of any age, it is significantly more common among adults aged between 35 and 55 years.

Experts say that back pain is associated with the way our bones, muscles and ligaments in our backs work together.

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Spine Surgeon Dallas, Mayo Clinic Trained Spine Surgeon, Back Doctor, Spine Pain Doctor

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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgery:

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Recent surgical advancements have focused on performing surgery through smaller incisions, with less disruption to surrounding soft-tissues. The idea behind minimally invasive surgery is to perform the same treatment without damage to normal surrounding tissues. The drawback of minimally invasive surgery is that sometimes the underlying problem may not be adequately addressed because of an inability to get to the problem. Whenever a new minimally invasive procedure is introduced, there is almost always controversy as to whether or not the procedure is as good as traditional surgery.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery:

Endoscopic spine surgery uses specialized video equipment inserted through small incisions to see the structures of the spine. Similar to arthroscopic surgery of a joint, endoscopic surgery has advanced over the past decade from merely being able to look to the area of interest, to the ability to repair and reconstruct a variety of complex problems.The benefit of endoscopic spine surgery is the potential to address problems through very small incisions. By not damaging the muscles around the spine, recovery can often be much faster than with a larger surgical exposure.

Microdiscectomy, Microlaminectomy and Microforamenotomy:

All of these micro-surgeries are variations of standard surgeries used to take pressure off of the nerves around the spinal cord. Traditionally done through larger incisions, the micro procedures use smaller incisions and specialized surgical instruments to accomplish the same goals of traditional surgery.There is no rule on where the line between traditional surgery and micro surgery is drawn. To some doctors this means a smaller incision, to others it means the use of special surgical instruments. Many variations of a procedure could be considered micro surgery.

Laser Spine Surgery:

Laser spine surgery is a technique that uses a laser to remove damaged tissues. Because a laser can be inserted through small incisions, it can be used to cut away damaged tissues (such as disc fragments) without having to make a large incision.There is significant controversy about laser spine surgery as this technique has not been shown to have significant benefits, despite advertising that may make you think otherwise. Often marketed in magazines and the Internet, laser spine surgery has become the focus of some lawsuits formisleading patients about expected results from surgery.

Is It Better?:

Is minimally invasive surgery better? There are many ways to answer this question. The bottom line is that we simply do not know. There are theoretic advantages, and there are possible downsides. But there are very few studies that compare the possible risks with the potential benefits of minimally invasive surgery.The bottom line I suggest is to find a surgeon who, above all, is interested in fixing your problem, not someone who is selling you on a smaller incision. If the same benefit can be achieved without damage to normal tissues, then minimally invasive surgery may be a good option.

_Sources:

_{Mathews HH and Long BH “Minimally Invasive Techniques for the Treatment of Intervertebral Disk Herniation” J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg., March/April 2002; 10: 80 – 85.}

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Kyphoplasty Surgery, Kyphoplasty, Kypho, Vertebroplasty, Back Surgery, Spine Surgery

What is Vertebroplasty & Kyphoplasty?

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCF), which are fractures involving the vertebral bodies that make up the spinal column.

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When a vertebral body fractures, the usual rectangular shape of the bone becomes compressed, causing pain. These compression fractures may involve the collapse of one or more vertebrae in the spine and are a common result of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that results in a loss of normal bone density, mass and strength, leading to a condition in which bones are increasingly porous, and vulnerable to breaking. Vertebrae may also become weakened by cancer.

In vertebroplasty, physicians use image guidance to inject a cement mixture into the fractured bone through a hollow needle. In kyphohplasty, a balloon is first inserted into the fractured bone through the hollow needle to create a cavity or space. The cement is injected into the cavity once the balloon is removed.

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Performing Kyphoplasty Surgery

1. During kyphoplasty surgery, a small incision is made in the back through which the doctor places a narrow tube. Using fluoroscopy to guide it to the correct position, the tube creates a path through the back into the fractured area through the pedicle of the involved vertebrae.
2. Using X-ray images, the doctor inserts a special balloon through the tube and into the vertebrae, then gently and carefully inflates it. As the balloon inflates, it elevates the fracture, returning the pieces to a more normal position. It also compacts the soft inner bone to create a cavity inside the vertebrae.
3. The balloon is removed and the doctor uses specially designed instruments under low pressure to fill the cavity with a cement-like material called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). After being injected, the pasty material hardens quickly, stabilizing the bone.

Kyphoplasty surgery to treat a fracture from osteoporosis is performed at a hospital under local or general anesthesia. Other logistics for a typical kyphoplasty procedure are:

• The kyphoplasty procedure takes about one hour for each vertebra involved
• Patients will be observed closely in the recovery room immediately following the kyphoplasty procedure
• Patients may spend one day in the hospital after the kyphoplasty procedure

Patients should not drive until they are given approval by their doctor. If they are released the day of the kyphoplasty surgery, they will need to arrange for transportation home from the hospital.

Recovery from Kyphoplasty

Pain relief will be immediate for some patients. In others, elimination or reduction of pain is reported within two days. At home, patients can return to their normal daily activities, although strenuous exertion, such as heavy lifting, should be avoided for at least six weeks.

Candidates for Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty cannot correct an established deformity of the spine, and certain patients with osteoporosis are not candidates for this treatment. Patients experiencing painful symptoms or spinal deformities from recent osteoporotic compression fractures are likely candidates for kyphoplasty. The procedure should be completed within 8 weeks of when the fracture occurs for the highest probability of restoring height.

It is not known whether kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty will increase the number of fractures at adjacent levels of the spine. Bench studies on treated bone have shown that inserting PMMA does not change the stiffness of the bone, but human studies have not been done. Osteoporosis is a chronic, progressive disease. As stated earlier, patients who have sustained fractures from osteoporosis are at an increased risk for additional fractures due to the loss of bone strength caused by osteoporosis.

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Innovative treatments for spinal stenosis, herniated discs, pinched nerves and arthritis of the spine

Traditionally, neck and back surgery was a risky medical procedure requiring lengthy recovery periods, but this is not the case for BecomePainFree.com medical group patients. Our innovative procedures are safe and require a short hospital stay or long recuperation time. Over the past decade, the BecomePainFree.com’s medical team has successfully treated tens of thousands of people who suffered from conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, pinched nerves and arthritis of the spine. Our signature streamlined experience allows patients to come to one of four of our state-of-the-art surgical facilities, undergo their procedure, and return home to their normal lifestyle – all in a shorter period of time.

Spine Treatment

Our spine surgery endoscopic specialists perform a variety of procedures that can treat a number of degenerative spine conditions, including spinal stenosis, herniated disc, pinched nerve, or any of a number of other potentially debilitating conditions. Whether you’re suffering from severe pain, muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, or any of the symptoms typically associated with these conditions, our outpatient procedures can help you rediscover your life without neck and back pain.

If you’ve spent weeks or months trying various conservative, nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy, pain medication, hot/cold therapy, massage, chiropractics, or others, yet have failed to find relief, you may be considering neck or back surgery. If so, contact Laser Spine Institute today to learn more about our endoscopic procedures that are minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open neck or back surgery.

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Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Points to New Study Documenting Chiropractic as First Option for Back Pain Relief, Surgery Avoidance

ARMICHAEL, Calif., Jan 08, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the value of chiropractic care, cites the results of a new study as further documentation of chiropractic care as a first option for back pain relief and surgical avoidance. “Early Predictors of Lumbar Spine Surgery after Occupational Back Injury: Results from a Prospective Study of Workers in Washington State,” (Spine; 12.12.2012) observed reduced odds of surgery for those under age 35, women, Hispanics and those whose first provider was a chiropractor.

“In total, 42.7 percent of workers who initially visited a surgeon underwent surgery, in contrast to only 1.5 percent of those who first consulted a chiropractor,” reports Gerard Clum, D.C., spokesperson, F4CP, who indicates the important study was conducted by a collaboration of prestigious institutions, including Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, University of Washington School of Public Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Ohio State University College of Public Health and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. “Back injuries are the most prevalent occupational injury in the U.S., and care is commonly associated with one of the most costly treatments – spine surgery. Chiropractic is clearly the most appropriate first treatment option for patients with back pain, and this study confirms the value.”

An additional study, “Health Maintenance Care in Work-Related Low Back Pain and Its Association with Disability Recurrence,” (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 4.1.2011) also examined chiropractic care for occupational back injuries and found similar outcomes. The study reported for work-related nonspecific low back pain, chiropractic care was associated with a lower disability recurrence, when compared to treatment by other medical interventions. Overall, chiropractic patients illustrated consistently better outcomes, less use of opioids, and had fewer surgeries, with lower medical expenses.

“As more data continues to surface touting the benefits of chiropractic care — lower costs, less risks and higher satisfaction rates — I expect that patients and practitioners will move toward considering chiropractic first, medicine second and surgery last,” says Dr. Clum, who closes with praise of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan for already adopting this approach.

About the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress

A not-for-profit organization, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress informs and educates the general public about the many benefits associated with chiropractic care. To learn more about the Foundation, visit http://www.yes2chiropractic.com or call 866-901-F4CP (3427).

SOURCE: The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress

        
        The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress 
        Lauren Kennedy, 201-641-1911, ext. 14 
        lkennedy@cpronline.com
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World-renowned Orthopedic Surgeon Sues Medical Device Company For Breach Of Contract, Nuvasive

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 16, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Andrew Cappuccino, M.D., a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon based in Buffalo, has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Federal Court, Southern District of California, accusing NuVasive, Inc., of breach of contract. 

In a civil complaint filed today, Dr. Cappuccino charges NuVasive, a Delaware corporation, with principal offices in San Diego, with failure to pay a $660,000 “milestone payment” tied to Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a medical device. The device, used in spinal procedures, was developed by Cervitech, Inc., a company in which Dr. Cappuccino was a prime investor and which was acquired by NuVasive.

The California company acquired New Jersey-based Cervitech in April 2009, in cash and stock deal valued at $80 million, contingent on FDA approval of Cervitech’s cervical disc-replacement device. NuVasive agreed to pay $47 million upfront and another $33 million when government approval was granted.

Under terms of the share-purchase agreement, Dr. Cappuccino and his fellow Cervitech inventors were to receive payments within 30 days of FDA approval of the Cervitech-developed device.  That approval was granted on October 26, and all other former Cervitech shareholders were paid with the exception of Dr. Cappuccino.

The surgeon is seeking the payment promised him under the share purchase agreement, as well as interest from the day of the breach and attorneys’ fees and costs.

Alan J. Bozer, a partner with Buffalo-based Phillips Lytle LLP, one of Western New York’s best-known law firms, who represents Dr. Cappuccino in this matter, said that NuVasive has admitted that payment is due to Dr. Cappuccino but is withholding payment for reasons unrelated to the Cervitech matter.

Chapin Fitzgerald LLP, of San Diego, CA, is Dr. Cappuccino’s co-counsel in the breach of contract claim.

Dr. Cappuccino is a spine surgeon with Buffalo Spine Surgery (www.buffalospinesurgery.com) in Lockport, N.Y., and has served on the medical staff of the Buffalo Bills for many years. In addition to his work on the artificial cervical disc, he led the field in bringing minimally invasive and lateral spine surgery, disc replacement and spine motion preservation as the new standards of care for spine surgery.

He attracted international attention in the medical and sports worlds as the orthopedic surgeonwho treated Buffalo Bills football player Kevin Everett for his cervical spine injury suffered in a game in 2007. Dr. Cappuccino’s use of induced hypothermia garnered world-wide headlines for the technique that likely staved off paralysis in the player.

Dr. Cappuccino’s areas of expertise include cervical spine disorders, degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disorders and degenerative spinal conditions, among others. He was one of the first surgeons to be certified by the American Board of Spine Surgery. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, diplomat of the American Board of Spinal Surgery Charter and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

He ended his consultancy position with NuVasive in 2011 and now serves as chair of the Surgeon Advisory Board of Lanx, a Colorado-based medical- device company focused on developing innovative devices for spinal surgery. The board consists of neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons from around the world who provide guidance to the company

Phillips Lytle LLP, established in 1834, is a multi-disciplined law firm with offices in New York State and Canada.  The firm represents a diverse, multinational client base, including Fortune 500 companies, global, regional and local financial institutions, mid-sized and emerging businesses, and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth.  For more information, visit www.phillipslytle.com.

Contact: Rebecca E. Farbo Phillips Lytle LLP 716-847-8307

 

SOURCE Phillips Lytle LLP

Hip Pain, Hip Surgery, Total Hip, Joint Pain, Pain, Single Incision Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

The exciting alternative technique for hip replacement surgery  which we can now do allows the surgeon to expose the hip without removing as much muscle from the bone in the hip area and minimally disturbing the capsule of the hip joint area, which means a much faster recovery time. This approach involves a single, very short incision into the patient‘s leg and is performed by entering the front of the hip as opposed to the back of the hip like a surgeon would normally do.

2 Patient Advantages:

• The procedure offers a much quicker recovery time after surgery because the surgeon does less removal of muscle and ligaments from the bones around the hip joint than is done with the more traditional type of replacement done today.
• When surgery is performed to the back of the hip area, it typically restricts the amount of motion the hip can have for the first couple of months after surgery while the tissues heal, but with this new approach, the patient can move the leg in any position after surgery and not worry about the hip dislocating from where it belongs or the ball coming out of the socket of the hip area.

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Anterior Hip Approach dislocation (Photo credit: Medical Images)

Laser Spine Institute, Laser Spine Surgery, LSI

The one and only Tampa-based Laser Spine Institute injured a special person named Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) with unnecessary surgeries, the former wrestler claims in a complaint for $50 million dollars.
“The lawsuit says and alleges that between February 2009 and August 2010, Hogan, due to LSI’s monetary/ cash need rather than medical motives, became the victim of  many multiple unnecessary endoscopic spinal surgical procedures that further destabilized his pain and hurt from his already existing injured back and severely damaged his large entertainment and athletic career,” the Florin Roebig law firm said in a statement Monday.
Hogan also sued “several of its [the Laser Spine Institute’s] many employed physicians/co-owners,” the law firm said.

Hulk Hogan joined TNA in late 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Pain, Back Pain, Injections to Manage Pain, Epidural Injections, ESI, Interventional Pain

Chronic Pain Injection (Photo credit: Army Medicine)

If you have acute or chronic back pain or neck pain, with or without radiculopathy, you should benefit from a spine/spinal injection. A single injection or limited series of injections have helped thousands of patients effectively manage pain and benefit more fully from physical therapy. Spine/Spinal injections are often an integral part of the non-operative treatment you could receive, including other types of pain management.

 

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