Alexander Taghva, MD
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Alexander Taghva, MD

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  • Home
  • Services
    • Neurosurgical Conditions
      • Treatment Options for Neurosurgical Conditions
    • Neurosurgical Procedures
      • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
      • Cervical Disc Replacement
      • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
      • Microdiscectomy
      • Minimally Invasive Laminotomy
      • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
      • Revision Spine Surgery
      • Spinal Cord Stimulation
      • Spine Surgery
  • Meet Dr. Taghva
  • Reviews
  • For Patients
    • Education
    • Forms
    • Blog
  • Office Location

How Do I Know If I Need Back Surgery?

December 5, 2018 by Dr. Taghva

Back Surgery

Back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain in the United States. A variety of treatments exist to help treat back pain including over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy, yoga, and more.

Yet, sometimes non-surgical treatments aren’t enough to help you cope with your back pain. So how can you tell whether or not you need neurosurgery?

Try other treatment methods first

In many cases, surgery is often the last option because most cases of back pain don’t need to be treated with surgery. Non-surgical treatment such as spinal injections, physical therapy, hot and cold therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications can usually help.

Additionally, regular exercise and even regular massage therapy can also help to reduce back pain and can help to keep it from coming back.

Your doctor might recommend neurosurgery for a variety of reasons

It’s recommended to try other treatment methods first before trying neurosurgery unless you’ve suffered from a serious spinal cord injury.

That said, there are also a variety of reasons why your doctor may recommend you undergo neurosurgery for your back pain. Here are just some of the reasons why your doctor might suggest surgery as your best option:

  • You have a dislocated or broken bone in your back
  • You’re suffering from a spinal infection
  • You have a degenerative spinal condition
  • You’ve suffered a slipped disc and it isn’t getting better with other treatment options
  • Bone spurs are putting pressure on your spine
  • You’re suffering from weakness or numbness in your arms and legs
  • You have difficulty using your hands or walking
  • Problems with the nerves in your back are causing you to lose bladder or bowel control
  • You have a tumor located in your spinal cord

Keep in mind that timing matters with back surgery

In many cases, back surgery isn’t an emergency. Many surgeons may ask patients to wait up to six weeks for back surgery for a slipped disc because there’s a chance it could get better on its own.

Yet, there’s also a chance your surgeon may suggest you get your surgery right away. Be sure to talk to your doctor and your surgeon so you know what your options are.

Where can I go for a neurosurgical operation?

If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you’re not alone. In fact, over 1.5 billion people are currently living with chronic pain.

If you’ve tried everything non-surgical, or maybe even a few different surgeries, and you’re still not seeing the results you want, you may want to consider a neurosurgical operation with Dr. Alex Taghva.

To learn more about neurosurgical operations such as minimally invasive spine surgery, cervical disc replacement, other neurosurgery options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Alex Taghva today.

Reviews

  • In September 2018, my ENT doctor sent me to see Dr. Taghva; as a result of the MRI taken after my ears were tested for possible hearing loss. It turned out that I had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball that needed to be removed; which most likely was the cause of some hearing loss. Both doctors…

    • 5 stars
    • Jeannette P.
  • I recently had major surgery on my cervical spine. Work was done from C3 to T1. I was suffering from severe stenosis and losing the ability to use my left arm and hand.

    Dr. Taghva performed the surgery and was assisted by his nurse practitioner Vanessa Stroessner. It’s been a few months since…

    • 5 stars
    • Pat B.
  • I had a trial stimulator put in two weeks ago since I have scoliosis and spinal stenosis and helped with my pain 100%. Yesterday he inserted permanent stimulator inside me. I am so happy and love Dr Tagvha. I highly recommend him and has a wonderful bedside manner. Best neurosurgeon. Dr. Alexander…

    • 5 stars
    • Christina C.
  • Dr. Taghva is my hero. I had a herniated disc and spinal stenosis with pressure on the upper spine area. After 3 hours of surgery I was up and walking pain free right away. My recovery in just 2-3 weeks had me walking without any walker or back brace and I am feeling terrific.

    Thank you so much…

    • 5 stars
    • Real patient
  • 5 years ago I was sent to Dr. Taghva by my pain management specialist. He had very thorough tests done. He told me that it was his opinion that I had RSD aka CRPS. After much discussion with my pain specialist, I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. I loved the relief it gave me.

    A few years…

    • 5 stars
    • Susan H.

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