Chronic pain or other back and spine issues?

Patients in Orange County who suffer from chronic pain or other back and spine issues may need to eventually seek relief through spine surgery in Mission Viejo, CA. Dr. Alexander Taghva, M.D., F.A.A.N.S., a board-certified neurosurgeon, offers a wide range of options for back surgery to address several different spinal health concerns.

Spine Surgery Procedure

The spine is made up of bones and discs that support the body and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord delivers information from the brain to the body. These bones and discs may develop improperly during normal growth, develop many problems over time, or become injured, causing pain and other issues.

For the most part, spine surgery is typically performed to correct a structural issue or injury in the back that will not resolve with other therapies. When less invasive treatment options do not correct a patient’s health concerns, surgical treatment is an effective tool for treating a wide range of spinal issues.

There are many different types of spine surgery, depending on the patient’s specific needs. Below are a few of the conditions that can be addressed with back surgery in Mission Viejo with Dr. Taghva:

• back problems like a herniated or ruptured disc
• spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column)
• Scoliosis
• fractures caused by osteoporosis
• bulging discs
• chronic pain

Benefits of Back Surgery in Mission Viejo, CA

Patients are often nervous about undergoing spinal surgery. While any surgical procedure can be scary, the benefits of back surgery typically far outweigh the risks. Most patients who undergo spine surgery in Orange County experience significant improvement in their overall quality of life.

Some benefits of back surgery, depending on the procedure, include reduced pain, better mobility, as well as improved spinal stability. Patients often find it life-changing as it can empower them to once again enjoy activities pain-free. The surgery allows them to achieve long-term pain management while reducing the need for prescription pain medications.

Dr. Taghva offers his patients cutting-edge techniques, such as minimally invasive spine surgery, to create excellent results while reducing blood loss and encouraging a faster recovery process. He is the only spine surgery expert in Mission Viejo offering endoscopic spine surgery, a technique that uses a small camera for visibility during surgery and requires only a small incision. Because of this, patients can gain all the benefits of back surgery with a less invasive procedure and typically go home soon after surgery.

The Ideal Candidate for Spinal Surgery

Above all, good candidates for Spine surgery in Mission Viejo, CA, are men, women, and children suffering from certain spine conditions that have not responded to non-surgical treatments. Many candidates for spine surgery suffer from chronic back as well as neck pain. For this reason, Patients should consult with their primary care physician and speak with a board-certified neurosurgeon about the different treatment options available. Each surgical procedure has its specific requirements.

Reasons to have a Back Surgery

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. For instance, 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

Consultation with Dr. Taghva

If you think you might be able to benefit from spine surgery at Dr. Taghva’s South Orange County practice, you should be to talk to your healthcare providers and to set up a consultation at our office.

During your back surgery consultation in Mission Viejo with Dr. Taghva, you will discuss the pros and cons of surgery. Dr. Taghva will go over your medical history, ask about your symptoms and past treatments, and then, he will perform an exam.

He may order imaging and other tests before recommending a treatment plan. In case you are a good candidate for spinal surgery, Dr. Taghva will provide you with specific information about the procedure, both the necessary preparation steps, and the recovery.

You are encouraged to ask questions during your consultation. Remember that choosing spine surgery is a major decision, and it’s important to have everything you need to make an informed treatment decision.

Preparing for Back Surgery in Mission Viejo, CA

When you schedule your back surgery, Dr. Taghva’s office will give you a detailed list of preparation instructions. You may also need to get certain tests and talk to your doctor about changing some of your medications in preparation for surgery. Some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and prescription medications can increase risks during surgery and must be put on hold for several weeks before and after spinal surgery.

Patients preparing for spine surgery at our Mission Viejo facility will need to stop smoking well in advance of the procedure. Depending on the treatment option you choose, you may need general anesthesia. Also, you will need to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight on the day of the surgery. Make sure you have a ride to and from your appointment, even if it’s just an outpatient procedure.

Types of Back Surgery

The type of surgery a patient will need depends on the type and severity of their spinal health concerns. Dr. Taghva offers several spinal surgery types to help each patient find relief from conditions affecting the spine. He uses minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. Some of the surgical treatments he offers include:

• Minimally invasive laminotomy — a lumbar decompression procedure that addresses lumbar spinal stenosis and provides relief for patients with back pain and sciatica caused by nerve root compression.
• Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) — a spinal fusion surgery addressing the lumbar spine (lower spine) that involves using bone grafts to treat issues like degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis (disc slipping).
• Minimally invasive discectomy – removal of a portion of a damaged disc to reduce pressure on the spinal cord.
• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) — a surgery that removes damaged discs from the neck area of the spine and fuses the bones together with a bone graft. This surgery is done to relieve pain caused by pinched nerves.
• Minimally invasive foraminotomy — relieving pressure on compressed spinal nerves by removing blockages and enlarging openings around affected bones in the spine.
• Posterior lumbar fusion (PLIF) — also known as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), this procedure fuses lumbar spine bones to increase stability. It is often performed alongside lumbar decompression.
• Minimally invasive lateral fusion (XLIF) — a spinal fusion surgery performed through the side of the body that can treat spinal column problems such as recurring herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative scoliosis.
• Total disc replacement — surgically replaces a damaged disc with an artificial disc.
• Revision spine surgery — correction of issues left by a prior surgical procedure.

The Recovery

After spine surgery in Mission Viejo surgery center, is most important for patients to follow Dr. Taghva’s recovery instructions carefully so that proper healing is ensured and to reduce the risk of spinal surgery complications occurring.

Back surgery recovery time varies considerably. Many patients’ incisions heal quickly, but the final healing of the spinal column may take several months. Dr. Taghva will provide you with information on activity restrictions, what to expect, and how to set yourself up for optimal results. He also educates patients on proper spine care to help prevent problems in the future.

How long does it take to recover from spine surgery? 

How long it takes to recover from spine surgery will depend on the type of surgery you underwent and how well you adhere to pre and post-surgery instructions. After that, some of the other factors that play a role in your recovery time include your age, lifestyle, and any underlying health conditions.

For the most part, the average recovery time can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If you undergo spinal fusion, it could take up to a year before the graft fuses with the surrounding bone, but you should be able to resume most of your normal activities within a month or two.

For other surgeries, such as spinal laminectomies, decompression, or foraminotomies, it may only take a few weeks to recover.

You’ve suffered from pain long enough, and you should be able to get back to enjoying life as soon as possible. You will eventually get there, but you’ll need to be patient, focused, and follow all pre and post-surgery instructions.

Possible Risks and Potential Complications

First thing to remember, all surgical procedures involve some risk, including spine surgery in Orange County. Risks and potential complications vary from procedure to procedure and will be discussed during your consultation. For this reason, choosing a respected, board-certified spine surgeon who offers M.I.S.S. is the best way to reduce the risks associated with back surgery.

FAQS

Can back surgery benefit me?

If you suffer from chronic back pain and nothing seems to be helping, then you might want to consider spine surgery in Mission Viejo, CA. Call 949-388-7190 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alexander Taghva at our Orange County facility.

Why Choose Dr. Alexander Taghva

Dr. Alexander Taghva is a leading board-certified neurosurgeon, specializing in brain surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, as well as spine disorders. Also, he is the only spine surgeon in Orange County and southern California who offers endoscopic laminotomy surgery. Dr. Taghva:

• Graduated from John Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of California
• Completed a prestigious fellowship at The Ohio State University in Neuromodulation and Functional Neurosurgery
• Specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery, spinal stenosis, artificial disc replacement, spinal disorders, spinal surgery revision, and other spinal conditions.
• Specializes in brain surgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia, brain tumors, pituitary tumors, and Parkinson’s disease.
• A highly-respected neurosurgeon with many years of experience, including treating chronic pain via stimulation of the spinal cord and brain
• Actively involved in medical research and the lead investigator for clinical trials on spinal cord stimulation