Back Pain Is Treatable Thanks to Innovative New Treatments

Treatment for back pain is selected based on the symptoms and diagnosis. For general back pain, patients can usually self-medicate using the following techniques: resting or reducing use of the back, managing pain with medication, and rehabilitating the injured region using cool or hot compresses alongside back-specific stretch routines.

Nevertheless, if a patient has taken the aforementioned action with no success, or where back pain involves certain red flag signs, urgent medical attention should be sought to ensure appropriate treatment can take place. These treatments can be classified into the following two main groups:

1. Non-surgical treatment involves managing symptoms for pain management:

• Medicated treatment using drugs such as pain relief medications, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and peripheral neuropathy medication. However, the use of such drugs in the elderly and those with underlying health conditions who are already taking regular medications must be carefully planned due to the potential side effects associated with pain relief medications.
• Physiotherapy can include ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, or muscle strengthening exercises, which can all help prevent a recurrence of the condition. The rehabilitation medicine center which provides a comprehensive range of treatments, delivered by a team of fully trained rehabilitation medicine specialists working alongside a team of highly experienced physiotherapists.
• A back support or brace may be used to provide spinal support for people experiencing back pain. This equipment is beneficial in the short-term as it can increase comfort and reduce pain, although it may also be used to support the backs of those who have recently undergone spinal surgery.
• Spinal procedures include acupuncture, trigger point injections, facet injections, and epidural steroid injections. These procedures not only significantly reduce pain, but are also a means of confirming a diagnosis, which make them a highly effective, non-surgical form of treatment that can also reduce patient risk.
• Specialist attention, such as from a chiropractor, may help redress spinal imbalances to increase flexibility and range of movement and reduce pain. However, acupuncture and deep tissue massage can achieve similar results.

2. Surgical treatment may be considered for back pain in patients who have been unable to manage their pain successfully with non-surgical methods after at least 6–12 weeks, or for patients with conditions involving nerve damage such as muscle atrophy and uncontrollable bowel movements due to reduced sphincter function.

When considering surgical treatment for back pain, medical staff will assess the symptoms and their severity in each case. There are two main forms of spinal surgery:

1. Nerve decompression surgery involves decompressing injured nerves. It is a type of surgery aimed at removing the cause of spinal stenosis, such as disc herniation. Nerve decompression surgery does not require lumbar fusion with instrumentation and, once surgery is complete, patients usually reacquire a full range of movement.
2. Nerve decompression and fusion surgery, also designed to decompress injured nerves, involves inserting an instrument to provide additional spinal support. This form of surgery is suitable for patients with spinal stenosis alongside instability in the injured region, such as in those with spinal deformities, spinal dislocation injuries, scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

“Spine or neck surgeries are so risky!”
“Spinal surgery will either not work or prevent you from being able to walk.”

Many of you will have heard such worries expressed by friends or family, but the truth is that the modern surgical techniques used to treat spine or neck injuries are not as risky as you may think. This is due to innovations and progress that has been made in the field of spinal surgery, from the surgical procedures themselves to surgery pain management techniques and post-surgery rehabilitation involving carefully planned physiotherapy. These developments minimize risks and significantly improve the chances of success. Surgeries available today can be classified into two main types: conventional spine surgery and modern spine surgery (minimally invasive spine surgery).

1. Conventional Spine Surgery
   • Nerve Decompression and Fusion
     • Decompressive lumbar laminectomy with posterolateral spinal fusion (DLPL fusion) procedures
2. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

This is a modern technique that offers all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, including minimized damage or disruption to the muscles in the injured region, significantly reduced blood loss, minimal pain, and accelerated rehabilitation times that enable patients to make a speedier recovery than was previously possible. Examples of minimally invasive spine surgery are:

2.1 Nerve decompression surgeries

• Full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FED) procedures.
• Microscopic lumbar microdiscectomy procedures.

2.2 Nerve decompression and fusion surgeries

• Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) procedures can be used to relieve spinal stenosis. The procedure involves stabilizing the affected joint by inserting a metal screw that has been specially designed to fit through a tiny incision. This not only reduces the muscle damage caused by conventional surgery, but also accelerates rehabilitation by reducing the time spent recovering in the hospital.
• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
• Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)

3. Navigation and robot-assisted spine surgery
This is a new surgical technique that involves the use of a computer navigation system to assist the surgeons. Its benefits include increased accuracy when inserting metal screws or any other materials into the spine or neck, and a reduction in the likelihood of injuries to the central nervous system resulting from surgery.

Post-surgery recovery times differ from case to case depending on patient factors, such as underlying medical conditions, severity of symptoms, ability to carry out certain tasks, or pre-surgery capabilities, and doctor factors, such as surgical technique and expertise.

Post-surgery recovery from spine surgery usually involves:

Providing advice on what to do and what not to do following surgery When deciding on which technique to employ for a spine procedure, doctors must consider the severity of the symptoms and the condition, as well as factors such as age, underlying medical conditions, pre-existing physical capabilities, the length of time it will take to recover fully following surgery, and the mental state of the patient. Moreover, to increase the likelihood of a successful surgery, patients should consult with a spinal specialist who will advise them on the most suitable form of treatment for their needs.

Samitivej Hospital focuses on early diagnosis and detection, so we can prevent rather than cure. When patients do require treatment, they trust us to provide the most effective solution.

We are truly humbled and honored to have received 7 Prestigious Awards in 2022

Samitivej has a team ready to help and provide services for:

• Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion)
• Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital
• Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications)
• Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies in contract with the Hospital)