Clinical Resource: What Level of Care Can I Expect for Back and Neck Pain?

Description

UAMS Health neurosurgeon Noojan Kazemi, M.D., talks about the technological and care approach to treatment for back and neck pain at UAMS Health.

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Transcript

Very few people who have spinal conditions, such as spinal back and neck pain, actually need surgery. So when does a patient with back or neck pain or a spinal condition need to see a surgeon?

So we encourage patients who are, for example, having trouble with feeling in their arms or legs or losing function in their arms or legs, or, for example, having difficulty with bowel or bladder function originating from the spine to see their primary care physician or other specialist. Once they’ve had some kind of workup, such as an MRI scan that may show pinching of the nerves or a deformity of the spine or one vertebra, for example, slipping over and other to come for an expedited referral to see a surgeon at UAMS.

At UAMS, we have specialized surgeons such as neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons who are fellowship-trained, which means that they have specialized training in the treatment — the surgical treatment and nonsurgical treatment — of spinal conditions.

We are able to treat patients effectively using the most innovative technology which results in the smallest incisions, the fastest recovery and the shortest length of stay in hospital. We have an integrated multidisciplinary team approach at UAMS, which of course includes our physical therapists, our pain management specialists and our rehab specialists who are able to tailor a plan best suited for the patient’s recovery and their needs after surgery, no matter how small or extensive it may be.

It’s better to come to an integrated service such as the one at UAMS Back and Neck Clinic, where you’ll be seen by specialized providers with expert training in managing spinal conditions, who are then able to come up with a detailed plan of treatment for you, hopefully including conservative measures such as physical therapy and pain management, but also surgery if that’s what is required.