Author: Leslie Toldo
Back and neck pain are extremely common. A stunning 80 percent of American adults will experience back pain, and nine percent suffer with it chronically. Surgery is not the answer for everyone. In fact, only about 10 percent of cases require it.
“Fortunately, the majority of back and neck pain cases respond well to physical therapy, pain medication, rest, or some combination of those three,” said McLaren Flint orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Satyajit Marawar.
The McLaren Flint Spine Center is a great resource for patients who are seeking relief. The Center offers a uniquely specialized approach to both diagnosing and treating back and neck pain. The goal is to improve function, alleviate pain, and enhance quality of life for those who suffer from spine issues.
“What makes the program unique is the 'virtual' team of physicians and therapy centers that improve access to care for patients,” said Dr. Marawar. “We take a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of back and neck pain, with our experts working together in a virtual system to identify and treat the most common and complex cases.”
The Spine Center is an umbrella that links the hospital’s spine center navigator, surgeons, physiatrists, the pain management clinic, therapy locations, and private practice physicians to deliver a truly comprehensive, multidisciplinary program that follows clinically approved guidelines. The program includes experts in:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Physical medicine
- Interventional radiology
- Physical therapy
- Pain management
- Certified case management
Back and neck pain become more common when people reach 45 or older. Often, the pain subsides with rest and over-the-counter treatments, but there are key warning signs that it may be time to seek help if the pain:
- Is persistent and cannot be relieved
- Radiates to the buttocks, leg, groin, shoulder, arm, or hand
- Includes muscle spasms, headaches, or numbness in the arms or legs
- Is accompanied by loss of bladder or bowel control
“Back and neck pain are often caused by degenerative disc disease, caused by the degradation of the rubber-like discs cushioning the vertebrae, which can lead to bone-on-bone contact,” said Dr. Marawar. “Discs shrink and deteriorate through normal wear and tear.”
To get a clear look at the spinal discs, doctors typically refer patients for an MRI. If the damage is serious enough, surgery to remove the diseased disc(s) and replace it with an artificial implant.
“The good news for patients is that McLaren has minimally invasive surgical techniques available, which require smaller incisions and cause less soft tissue damage than traditional surgical options,” Dr. Marawar said. “What this means is shorter recovery time, less pain, and reduced risk of complications.”
You can learn more about the McLaren Flint Spine Center here. If you would like to find a physician, visit mclaren.org/flint, and click the “providers” tab at the top of the page.