Low Back Pain Treatment in New Jersey
Patients experiencing low back pain require quality procedures and treatments to experience relief. Patients across New Jersey and beyond can find expert spine care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, with locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel.
Dr. Branko Skovrlj is a board-certified neurosurgeon at NU-Spine, specializing in complex spine repair and deformities. Dr. Skovrlj’s sole focus is treating advanced spine conditions.
How Common Is Lower Back Pain?
Low back pain can affect patients of any age and background. While many patients believe chronic low back pain is a symptom of aging, this is not always the case – especially for those with consistent, painful symptoms. Lower back pain can improve or worsen over time. This depends on the patient’s lifestyle and the cause of back pain. Some patients can treat their back pain with lifestyle changes and conservative treatments. However, without the right medical intervention, back pain can potentially become chronic and debilitating. Dr. Skovrlj has extensive experience performing back surgeries to alleviate back discomfort permanently.
Lower back pain is common among patients who:
- Smoke
- Avoid exercise
- Are diagnosed with depression or anxiety
- Have arthritis or some types of cancer
- Use improper lifting techniques, such as lifting with the back instead of the legs
- Struggle with obesity
When Should I Be Concerned About Back Pain?
Back pain can be a common symptom of certain activities, such as a rigorous workout day or sitting for long periods. However, this usually is mild back discomfort that subsides as patients rest and recover. In some cases, back pain may affect patients constantly, causing painful throbbing or shooting pains. Patients with severe lower back issues typically display the following signs:
- Pain that leads to tingling or weakness in the legs
- Lower back pain that radiates down one or both legs
- Unintended weight loss
- Discomfort that worsens when walking, twisting, lifting, bending, or standing
- Pain that remains even after rest
People with back pain stemming from movement can find conservative treatment for their condition, such as over-the-counter medications and support devices. However, some patients may need to visit the hospital after experiencing certain events that exacerbate back pain, such as:
- Vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Back pain accompanied by a fever
- Back pain followed by sudden bladder or bowel incontinence
Causes of Lower Back Pain
The cause of lower back pain can be challenging to pinpoint because it arises for many reasons. In some cases, patients may have injured their back or muscle weeks prior but are only now feeling symptoms. In other cases, patients may have an underlying disease or condition that worsens back pain and requires treatment, such as:
- Arthritis
- Compressed nerve
- Deformity
- Herniated disc
- Hunchback
- Inflamed sacroiliac joint
- Muscle sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Slipped disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Stress fractures
If a patient is diagnosed with the above conditions, they may require surgery to achieve relief from their symptoms.
Treating Lower Back Pain
For patients with mild, general back pain, physicians may recommend conservative treatments, such as over-the-counter medications. They also may have patients attend physical therapy appointments and perform exercises and stretches to strengthen the back, core, and other body areas. This helps to improve movement and avoid more serious back issues in the future.
Spine specialists will first evaluate the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and current lifestyle habits before diagnosing their chronic back condition. Patients may undergo imaging exams, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and computed tomography (CT) scans, to give spine specialists a detailed picture of the patient’s lower spine.
Do I Need Surgery to Treat Lower Back Pain?
Patients with mild back pain usually can recover with rest and medications. However, patients diagnosed with a back condition may require surgery to fix the problem and eliminate back pain. Dr. Skovrlj has decades of experience operating on the lower back and helping patients achieve a pain-free lifestyle. NU-Spine offers a variety of procedures focused on treating the spine, including:
Laminectomy
A laminectomy involves removing the lamina, a portion of the spine that covers the back of the spinal canal. Back surgeons enlarge the canal to alleviate pressure on the spine.
Minimally Invasive Laminectomy
Minimally invasive laminectomy is the most common surgery to relieve symptoms of patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Advanced, modern techniques used to perform this surgery allow for easier, faster healing.
Corpectomy
In a corpectomy, the surgeon removes the damaged portion of the vertebra, as well as the surrounding disc. This helps relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Spine surgeons replace the missing vertebra and disc with a bone graft and small metal plate, providing the spine with enhanced stability.
Discectomy
During a discectomy, spine surgeons remove the part of the vertebral disc that contributes to nerve-pinching pain. Surgeons commonly use a discectomy to treat patients with herniated discs.
Spinal Fusion
A spinal fusion involves fusing two vertebrae together to alleviate pain and fix deformities. Spine surgeons can perform spinal fusions alone or alongside other procedures. When surgeons use spinal fusion techniques during other surgeries, the process helps to stabilize the spine.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
TLIF is a modern technique for completing a spinal fusion. Neurosurgeons remove a spinal disc and fuse the nearby vertebrae.
Extreme Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (XLIF/X-LIF)
XLIF procedures use minimally invasive surgery to provide patients with relief. This technique involves completing a disc excision during a spinal fusion procedure to streamline surgery and target all potential problem areas.
Lumbar Foraminotomy
During a lumbar foraminotomy, back surgeons enlarge the area surrounding the vertebral bones. This helps relieve internal pressure and effectively alleviates patients of their back pain.
Hemilaminectomy
To perform a hemilaminectomy, neurosurgeons remove multiple pieces of lamina from the spinal column.
Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy is ideal for treating patients diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc. This minimally invasive procedure helps to treat pinched nerves associated with herniated disc conditions.
Lumbar Decompression
Neurosurgeons use lumbar decompression surgery to treat a variety of different back conditions, including compressed nerves.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery offers an alternative to traditional surgery, helping to make the recovery process easier. Newly developed technologies now allow neurosurgeons to access specific body areas without making large incisions. Minimally invasive techniques involve entering the body from existing crevices or performing surgery through small incisions.
Neurosurgeons use microscopic tools alongside an endoscope, a small tool with a camera, to perform surgery and have a clear view of the body. Surgeons can perform many common surgical procedures using minimally invasive techniques. Undergoing minimally invasive procedures can provide patients with the following benefits:
- Avoids cutting through tissues
- Decreases surgical trauma
- Creates smaller incisions that contribute to less pain
- Reduces risk of complications
- Can shorten recovery time
Find Relief From Back Pain With Help From NU-Spine
Serving patients across New Jersey with locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute is here for patients experiencing lower back pain. Patients can access advanced, comprehensive medical care for their spine condition that uses state-of-the-art technology. Transform your life with a touch of care! Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatment at NU-Spine. Do not wait for relief; schedule your appointment with our spine experts today and take the first step toward a pain-free future.
