An orthopedic doctor, specifically an orthopedic spinal surgeon, is an expert in easing back and neck pain that usually arises from conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, facet joint conditions, and scoliosis.
Treatments designed by an orthopedic doctor are personalized for better patient outcomes. Below, we will discuss some of the treatments that an orthopedic spinal doctor can provide to manage your symptoms and return you to normal function.
Treatments for Back and Neck Pain
Painful spine conditions can be treated using non-surgical and surgical methods.
Non-surgical treatments may include medication to manage pain and inflammation, bracing to add support to the spine and reduce strain, physical therapy to improve your posture, strengthen your muscles, and reduce spasms, and injections such as corticosteroids or nerve blocks to significantly reduce inflammation and block nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. Orthopedic doctors specializing in spine surgery usually fully explore alternatives to surgery before recommending it.
Surgery of the spine is usually the last resort if all other treatments do not help achieve the patient’s goals in terms of pain relief, function, and mobility. One goal of spine surgery is to correct structural abnormalities in vertebrae or vertebral discs that contribute to the pain. The doctor may remove a herniated disc or part of a spinal bone, fuse vertebrae together to minimize movement, or widen the openings in the spine, in order to relieve pressure on a nerve or nerves along the spine. They may also treat vertebral fractures through the injection of bone cement into the fracture.
In addition to treating your neck and back pain, an orthopedic doctor can also educate and guide you on how to effectively prevent future episodes of pain. Some of the recommendations may include advice on maintaining good posture and learning proper ergonomics, avoiding heavy lifting or learning proper lifting techniques, staying active while not causing fatigue to your body, and incorporating stretching and strengthening exercises into your daily routine to reduce the incidence of injury.
If back and neck pain is bothering you and has severely impacted your quality of life, it may be time to see an orthopedic spine surgeon. Learn about your condition from a spine expert and find out what treatment the doctor recommends. This may be the only way for you to find long-lasting relief from your symptoms.
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon in Hartford and Tolland Counties, CT & Springfield, MA
When you are in pain, you need a doctor who listens to you completely. Dr. David Kruger is our board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon at Advanced Orthopedics New England. Dr. Kruger believes in patient education and providing compassionate care to our patients with back and neck pain. Dr. Kruger’s advanced training in spine surgery allows him to offer state-of-the-art treatments that can provide relief from pain, stiffness, and numbness.
Dr. Kruger is an attending physician at St. Francis Hospital and the Medical Director of the Spine Institute of Connecticut. You are in great, highly skilled hands under his care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kruger, call our office today at (860) 728-6740.