Years of Technology Bring Hope to Ending Back Pain

Michael Major, M.D., Orthopaedic Surgeon, Columbia St. Mary’s

Posted: Oct. 1, 2006

Whether a patient is suffering from chronic back pain or experiencing acute onset of pain due to an injury, numerous advances in technology over the years have made back pain something that can be virtually eliminated when the most effective medical care is applied. The diagnostic and treatment options that have developed, especially over the last 10 years, have made pinpointing the exact cause of a person’s back pain, then treating that pain, more successful than ever.

As nearly 80 percent of Americans know, back pain left untreated can make even everyday activities like walking or sitting unbearable. The Columbia St. Mary’s Spine Center offers not only state-of-the-art medicine, but an all-inclusive medical team that is second to none in the Milwaukee area in experience and proficiency for treating back pain.

At the core of our Spine Center is a full staff of accomplished physicians and surgeons, along with chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists, acupuncture and massage therapists – often brought in for moderate pain control. When someone has back pain that has not improved with at-home remedies such as over-the-counter drugs or activity adjustments, professional care is frequently required.

As doctors at the Spine Center, we work in concert to solve each person’s specific back problem. Our skilled surgeons rely on the medical management of our physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation experts) to try every possible avenue before recommending surgery.

In addition, our medical management team knows when to treat with medication or lifestyle changes and when to discuss surgical options. Conservative treatments may include medication, diet and lifestyle modifications and exercise. And although surgery is performed on less than 5 percent of patients who visit our Center each year, for those who have endured years of unsuccessful medical management, finally undergoing back surgery can be a lifesaver.

Most adult spine surgeries are a result of either nerve root pain, which usually has an acute onset due to a ruptured disc or other sudden injury, or mechanical back pain such as degenerative disc disease that, if left unchecked, will only worsen over time.

In either scenario, as physicians we now have a plethora of surgical options that were not available to us in the past. Because of advancements in technology, we can accurately pinpoint a patient’s back problem and individualize an approach for maximum positive outcome.

The most common types of back surgeries are removal of slipped discs and the fusion of unstable vertebrae, although anything from simple disc injections to spine fusions, disc replacements and complex back reconstruction is now available. And at Columbia St. Mary’s, our team has the years of experience required to become genuine specialists in the spectrum of treatment options.

For the typical patient – a middle-aged baby boomer – post-surgical life is often as good, or even better, than expected. Most people find they have eventually resumed all their normal activities, often without significant interruption. The classic reaction from back surgery patients is the feeling of having their lives back. In my experience, even years of narcotic treatment is not a replacement for someone who in fact needs surgery.

Spine surgery hardware has been available for nearly 50 years in the United States, but has undergone important improvements over time. For example, the use of bone screws provides a significantly more stable option to the wires and hooks from years ago. The advent of MRI scanning a decade ago began allowing physicians to accurately diagnose and more effectively treat patients than ever.

As science continues to progress, my hope for the future of back and neck medicine is to evolve from sometimes complex, time-consuming surgical options to treatments that work on the cellular level. Cellular engineering and other biotechnology solutions, along with advances in pharmacology, offer hope for more physiological solutions for disabling spinal disease. At Columbia St. Mary’s, we remain committed to staying on the forefront of pioneering such technology.

To order a free DVD about Columbia St. Mary’s Spine Center Program, please call 414-326-1745.

For information or to shedule an appointment at the Spine Center, please call 414-961-5005.

Michael Major, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Columbia St. Mary’s

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