Back pain can come on for a number of different reasons — from chronic disease to an injury, your pain could really be affecting your life. No matter what the cause, getting relief is the first thing on your mind. Although a number of treatments can help your pain, sometimes, spine surgery is the best answer.
At Kellogg Brain and Spine, located in both Portland and Wilsonville, Oregon, our team has the most up-to-date treatments for your back pain. Our team is led by Dr. Jordi X. Kellogg, who’s a board-certified neurosurgeon with years of experience in treating back pain with spine surgery.
You’ll likely experience some type of back pain in your life. Usually, back pain comes and goes, and is caused by a strain or sprain in your muscles. Though this pain is annoying, it’s often short-lived, and you can get back to your normal activities within a few days.
However, if your pain continues to come on strong after home care, it could be related to something more serious. Some of the conditions that could be causing your severe back pain include:
Other causes of severe back pain that are less common include spinal tumors and spinal infections. Structural problems, such as scoliosis, can also lead to discomfort in your back.
When you have pain in your back, it can cause a number of other symptoms as well. The pain can be sharp and stabbing, or dull and achy. Your pain can range from mild-to-severe and may come and go.
When your back pain is caused by one of the conditions above, you may experience other uncomfortable symptoms, some of which include:
If your symptoms also include a fever or unexplained weight loss, you should seek treatment right away. The same is true if you also have changes with urination or bowel movements, as this could signal a bigger problem.
When your pain doesn’t seem to quit, and conservative treatments haven’t done the trick, it’s time to consider spine surgery for relief.
Back surgery isn’t something you want to jump into right away — unless there’s no other option. Normally, back pain is first treated conservatively with treatments like physical therapy and epidural steroid injections.
However, if your pain persists after trying several conservative measures, Dr. Kellogg recommends discussing surgery as an option. Although it carries risks, surgery is sometimes the only way to completely relieve your pain.
Dr. Kellogg may recommend surgery earlier if your back pain is severely inhibiting your daily activities. When your pain causes you to miss out on work or any other aspects of your life, Dr. Kellogg gives you the option of a number of different procedures, some of which include:
Back pain isn’t something that always goes away on its own. If you’ve gone weeks to months without significant relief, Dr. Kellogg and his team can help. He discusses the benefits and risks of back surgery, so you have all the tools you need to make the best decision for you.
If your back pain is affecting your life, don’t hesitate to call one of our offices in Portland or Wilsonville, Oregon, to schedule a consultation. You can also request an appointment while you’re here on our website.
