In-depth information on the importance of pre-operative care before back surgery or spine surgery, how to choose a back surgeon and what to do before having back surgery or spine surgery
Practical advice for recovering from back surgery
June 23, 2006
Patients can do a number of things to help ease their transition home following back surgery, such as using a toilet riser and a reacher, switching to slip-on shoes, and applying ice for postoperative pain. This article includes tips to minimize pain and maximize convenience following back surgery. Read more...
By: Pamela E. Verkuilen, APNP
Getting a referral to a spine surgeon
July 21, 2005
If you are a candidate for spinal surgery, the next obvious step is to ask the
physician treating you for a referral to a spine surgeon. However, this process
may not always be as straightforward as it may sound. This article includes guidelines
to help patients evaluate their spine surgeon. Read
more...
By Peter Ullrich, Jr., MD
Preparing
for your consultation with a spine doctor
December 11, 2001
The better prepared you are for your doctor's visit
the more productive it will be for you and for your
physician. This article includes a comprehensive list
of questions you can expect your doctor to ask you.
Read more...
By: Charles D. Ray, MD
The importance
of psychological preparation for back surgery
August 30, 2000
The stress of an illness or injury, the impending surgery,
and the recovery process after surgery can all have
a significant impact on a patient’s physical, psychological
and social state. This article explores how valuable
mental preparation can make a difference. Read
more...
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD, ABPP
How to prepare
psychologically for back surgery
August 30, 2000
Although there are many aspects of a psychological preparation
program, a tailored approach often works the best. This
article explains specific techniques for the psychological
preparation of back surgery. Read
more...
By: William W. Deardorff, PhD, ABPP
Preoperative preparation
for fusion surgery
July 18, 2000
Although fusion surgeries are done throughout the spine
(cervical, thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine),
the preparation is similar for each and the goal remains
the same- to stop the motion at a painful motion segment.
Read more...
By: John E. Sherman, MD
How to select a spine surgeon
June 30, 2000
In addition to the usual surgical residency requirements,
both neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery specialties
offer fellowship programs in spine that include an additional
year of training specific to spine surgery. Read
more...
By: Theodore B. Goldstein, MD
When to see a surgeon
for lower back pain
June 21, 2000
Many patients with lower back pain wonder if they will
need surgery and if and when they should consult a surgeon.
Whether you have back pain or leg pain, learn about
the general indications of when it may be advisable
for you to consult with a spine surgeon. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Back Pain Radio transcript: Is lumbar fusion surgery a reliable procedure?
Modern lumbar fusion surgery is a very reliable procedure, provided it is done by an appropriately skilled surgeon for the right patients. Spine-health.com’s Medical Director and an orthopedic surgeon, Peter Ullrich, Jr., M.D., and Grant Cooper, M.D., host of Back Pain Radio discuss lumbar fusion surgery on the March 21, 2005 show. Read transcript…
Back Pain Radio transcript: Improving patient outcomes in spine medicine
In addition to improved technology and techniques, patient education and integration of care are substantially improving patient care and outcomes in spine medicine. Read what Peter Ullrich, Jr., M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical Director of Spine-health.com, and Grant Cooper, M.D., host of Back Pain Radio, had to say on the March 14, 2005 show. Read transcript…
Who should treat your back pain? - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Many different specialists treat back pain, and each has different training, skills and interests. For many people, it may take more than one type of specialist to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate their back condition. This newsletter explains how to evaluate different specialists who treat back pain. Read more...
What you need to know about spine surgery - Spine-health.com Newsletter
When you’re considering having spine surgery, complete and reliable
information is important to help you make the decision whether or not
to have the surgery, as well as how to select a spine surgeon, prepare
for back surgery, and make best use of the recovery process. This newsletter
gives information about getting an accurate diagnosis, talking to your
spine surgeon, and the importance of pre-operative and post-operative
care. Read more...
5 back care mistakes to avoid - Spine-health.com Newsletter
In this newsletter we discuss common back care mistakes to avoid, such
as ignoring your back pain too long, relying on your general practitioner
too long and not seeing a spine specialist and waiting too long to
have spine surgery. By avoiding these mistakes and following the
guidelines give here, you may be able to improve your spinal care
and treat your back pain more effectively. Read
more...
Perspectives on pain management - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Careful attention to pain management and working with a pain management specialist are critical components of your recovery from neck pain, back pain and back problems. This newsletter offers tips for reducing stress, understanding the complexity of chronic pain and identifying different types of back pain and neck pain. Read more...
Please note that these additional patient resources (such as The Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters) on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
