On any given day, we each move in hundreds of different ways. While it’s easy to take this ability for granted, we are quickly reminded of how precious the gift of movement is when it becomes impaired. This is never truer than with issues related to the back and spine. Back and spine health are imperative to our overall quality of life because every move we make stems from the spine.
If the spine is injured or impaired, the rest of the body is too.
To learn more about treatment options for back and spine impairment, Dr. Jean Louis Benae, a neurosurgeon at Methodist McKinney Hospital (MMH), offered his insight.
There are numerous reasons for a patient to seek the help of a specialist when it comes to treating the spine, ranging from traumatic injuries to degenerative diseases. The interventions offered are equally as varied, says Dr. Benae, and surgery is not always required. In his opinion, Dr. Benae believes patients who are suffering from back pain due to a degenerative process should maximize all non-surgical treatment measures, such as physical therapy, prior to pursuing surgery.
Before a treatment plan is enacted, Dr. Benae encourages patients to ensure they have received a proper diagnosis of their condition. If it is decided between the patient and their doctor that surgery is the correct route, the patient should have a solid grasp of what the recovery process will entail. While the patient may experience some physical limitations following surgery, Dr. Benae believes that, once fully healed, most patients are able to carry out their daily routine with less pain and more comfort than was experienced pre-operatively.
Thanks to technology, the arena of minimally invasive spine surgery has vastly improved, too. For example, surgery can now be performed with less tissue injury and blood loss. Additionally, according to Dr. Benae, novel image guidance modalities have allowed surgeons to navigate throughout the spine with more accuracy. These technological advancements have allowed doctors at MMH to provide quality care and faster recovery for patients.
Dr. Benae believes that, at MMH, patients can expect to have the latest in minimally invasive spine surgery offered to them. The staff at MMH pays close attention to details, which can matter a great deal when it comes to reaching best outcomes following surgery.
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