Non-surgical management of back pain can include
- Medications
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Braces/Orthoses
Most patients with spinal conditions can be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy, lifestyle modification, medication, acupuncture and spinal injections may be recommended prior to surgery. Surgery will be recommended only after these measures have failed, if there is further progression of symptoms or if the patient’s condition is not suited for non-surgical treatment.
The goals of surgical treatment are to relieve symptoms, correct spinal deformities and to stabilise the spine. The use of minimally invasive techniques and endoscopic surgery has led to a reduction in post-operative pain, duration of hospital stay and earlier return to daily activities. Motion preserving procedures such as disc replacements or in the cervical and lumbar spine are also performed in our institution, to allow continued motion in our patients. State of the art technology such as operative microscopes, intraoperative neuromonitoring and intraoperative imaging/navigation systems such as the O-arm has also led to an improvement in patient safety.