Chronic back pain is one of the most common medical complaints. FOX 26 News met with Dr. Saqib Siddiqui from The Spine Center in Houston about the symptoms of a problem that is often misdiagnosed.

“This is a particular form of back pain called sacroiliac pain and has different words, like Sacroilitis. It’s really quite undiagnosed! About 25 percent of chronic back pain sufferers may have pain coming from this joint, and it’s often forgotten about by the diagnosing physician. Unless you look for it and do the proper exam or diagnostic injection, you may not know that the sacroiliac joint is causing their chronic back pain,” explains Dr. Siddiqui.

Let’s get right to the point about the symptoms. Dr. Siddiqui says the typical signs that this could be your problem would be low back pain, on the left or right. He adds that sometimes that pain radiates down the buttock or leg.

Dr. Siddiqui also says the problem is often misdiagnosed, because it seldom shows up on imaging results (like x-rays and CT scans). That’s why he says it’s important to undergo the right diagnostic testing.

“There are six different current physical exams of them lying down on the couch, and we do a sacroiliac injection under sedation at a surgery center or hospital. We inject the joint under fluoroscopy, using an x-ray machine, to make sure they’re in the right place. Then within a few hours, the patient should get relief of pain.”

Options are available to treat the pain. Dr. Siddiqui says he always prefers to begin with non-invasive treatments like physical therapy. He says cortisone injections and chiropractic treatments can often help ease the pain. His last resort is surgery, but a fairly new procedure has really made it a lot easier on patients.

“In the past, the surgery for this was really quite extensive. It was a 12-inch incision, and required several days in the hospital. It was similar to what you’d have if you were in a severe car wreck with a broken pelvis. We had to expose all of that! Now we have a technique which can fuse the sacroiliac joint using a small incision, that’s 2-3 inches long. Now we can (make an incision through the side), and put in three implants,” explains Dr. Siddiqui. He also says most patients walk within an hour of surgery and feel relief of pain within a few days. They’ll be on crutches for about three weeks.

As far as the ideal candidate is concerned, it would be someone who’s had chronic back pain for six months or longer, who has failed physical therapy, injections, and chiropractic treatment for this joint.

Dr. Siddiqui says the patient would need to have had two positive injections, so that he’s sure of the diagnosis. He tells us the incision heals in a week, and most people are back at work after a few days.

“This will take six months to fully heal, but within three weeks, they can return to full weight-bearing and within two to three months, full sport and contact activities,” says Dr. Siddiqui.

“I’ve been doing this (procedure) since September, and patients are happy with their outcome, and we have more patients on the way,” says Dr. Siddiqui.

For more information, visit http://www.surgicalspinesolutions.com/.

Read more: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/20495428/2013/01/03/new-procedure-to-ease-that-aching-back#ixzz2HWWj2I4j

First, it is essential that you know, trust and understand your diagnosis. Many pains look alike. A proper diagnosis is crucial to getting the appropriate treatment for your problem. For example, if you had Multiple Sclerosis but were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, your treatment would not work and possibly make your pain worse. The same goes for back surgery, if you are treated for the wrong problem, the results are likely to do nothing or possibly even make the situation worse.

Second, make sure you feel confident in your surgeon. Make a list of questions about your procedure, his or her experience with this surgery, and anything else that may be on your mind. If you have any questions unanswered, get the answers before putting yourself through any type of surgery or invasive treatment. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with your diagnosis, a second opinion would be appropriate. Always trust your gut, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Get to know your doctor. A knowledgeable and trustworthy surgeon should be happy to answer any inquiries that you have with confidence, ease, and professionalism.

Third, know the statistics of your procedure. Granted just because the probability of your surgery being successful is high, it does not guarantee that it will work. However, if the success rate is high, it will give you the confidence to know that it has worked for others many times in the past. On the other hand, if the percentage of successful surgeries is low, maybe it’s a fairly new surgery that needs perfecting or is experimental,and then you may want to weigh the pros and cons of undergoing the procedure.

Next, you must understand that there is always rehabilitation after surgery. You need to know the surgeon’s plan for you and think about how dedicated you are to adhering to rehabilitation. If you do not follow protocol post surgery, then everything you just went through could potentially fail. Make sure that you are ready to deal with all aspects of the surgery.

Lastly, get all of your ducks in a row. As difficult as it sounds, avoid stress at all costs. Make sure you are mentally prepared for the surgery and you have the required time off of work for proper rehabilitation.

Back surgery is not to be taken lightly. If you follow these five steps that are outlined above, then you are well on your way to effective pain relief.

An article was recently published in the Journal for Bone and Joint Surgery that claimed that there is a surgical infection rate of about 2% with spinal surgeries. They concluded that one of the biggest risk factors when it came to such infections was the condition diabetes. They also claimed that patients with an elevated level of glucose in their blood before or after the operation were at a higher risk for infection to occur. This find indicates that the present understanding of glucose levels within the blood have a relationship with the level of bacterial growth is indeed correct. Other factors that were also associated with an increased infection risk were obesity, the presence of more than one surgical operators in the operating room, and sub par timing of antibiotic therapy using prophylactics. There were not the only factors associated with a heightened possibility of infection, but they are some of the most common causes.

It can sometimes be difficult to keep a grip on the control of serum glucose levels in patients that have diabetes that require the glucose levels in their blood to monitored on a very regular basis. The administration of antibiotics that contain prophylactics within 60 minutes of the procedure, as well as upping the dosage of antibiotics to account for the level of obesity within the patient are also very key when it some to the strategies used as a way to lower the potential risk of an infection within the area where the surgery occurred. The patient should also be disciplined about proper hygiene procedures before and after the surgery so that bacteria are not given a favorable environment to grow in.

Even when all of these preemptive actions are taken in an attempt to avoid any type of infection occurring after the surgery has been completed, there is never a 100% guarantee that some sort of infection will not occur. Though rare, there have been cases of infection occurring even when all of the above measures were taken. Like any other type of surgical procedure, the pinnacle strategy that is most likely to result in an infection free period after the surgery has been completed is competence on behalf of the team involved with the operational procedure. If proper protocol is followed by a team of operators who have ample experience in the field, the chance of infection is greatly diminished.

This involves completely removing and replacing a disc in the lumbar spine. Spinal fusion is another option, but it doesn’t offer the same results as disc replacement. Disc replacement offers a better range of motion, and it can even get rid of the pain that could be caused by a pinched disc. It’s also a somewhat simpler surgery, there are no screws used or bone grafts. Those suffering from lumber disc degeneration may finally be able to get some relief with a new artificial disc. It will remove the pressure that has been causing pain along nerves or along the spinal cord. In some cases though, there are non-surgical treatments that can also improve movement and reduce pain. People can also look into less invasive surgeries to help to alleviate their symptoms without having a major surgery.

Only a doctor can tell if an artificial disc replacement is needed, but it can make a difference in the lives of those suffering from pain due to lumbar disc degeneration. This condition is generally caused by a person making a twisting motion, but it can also just happen over time through wear and tear. Those who have this condition will experience a low level of pain that exists all the time, but will occasionally become intense for a short period of time. This pain is centralized in the lower back, but it is capable of spreading to the hips and legs as well. Also, bending over can become extremely painful. Being seated can be made particularly painful as well, even more so than walking or standing. These are all signs that people should go to see a spine specialist to determine the best course of action. Surgery is an option that can make movement throughout the lumbar spine much more comfortable.

How X-STOP Works

There has been a lot of talk in the medical community about a new treatment method for spinal problems known as X-STOP. This is because unlike other complicated, and sometimes risky, invasive surgeries on the spine, X-STOP is much safer and easier.

Spinal stenosis occurs due to the space in between the vertebrae being reduced and pinching down on the nerves. This pain is worse when a person stands due to the fact that sitting or bending over tends to relax the spine and allow for more spacing between the vertebrae.

Capitalizing on this fact, X-STOP is a system in which a small implant is inserted in between two bones in your spine where the pinched nerves are located. The implant permanently holds the space open so that the nerve isn’t being pinched and therefore keeping your pain free.

Easy and Safe

Unlike most spinal surgeries X-STOP is much safer and easier to do. The reason for this is the fact that the X-STOP implant that goes into your spine doesn’t need to be fused with anything and doesn’t require screws, or other hardware. The implant stays in place naturally with no discomfort ensuring that you’re feeling great all day, everyday.

Is X-STOP Right for You?

There are a few things about the X-STOP surgical procedure that should be mentioned. In most cases it is recommended for patients that are 50 years-old and older. This is because this age group are typically the ones who suffer from stenosis of the spine. Some things can be problematic and make using X-STOP an unwise decision. If you have an allergy to titanium or if you have fractures in your spine that reduce the stability of the vertebrae X-STOP may not be an option in your particular situation.

Contact Us for More Information

In any event, if you’re suffering from back pain or have been diagnosed with (LSS) and traditional treatment methods have been ineffective we would like to help you see if X-STOP is right for you. This new medical technology is changing lives and can help you live a life free of pain and inconvenience due to pinched nerves in your spine. For more information click here. If you have any questions you can contact us by phone or by using the submission form on our website. We hope to hear from you soon!

For some, they may feel some mild discomfort in their back, but for others the pain can be agonizing. There really is no sure way to know that it is a compression fracture that one is dealing with. That is why medical attention is necessary. The pain for the elderly is usually sharp and severe in their back. When these sharp pains occur, it could be an indication that the spine is involved. This condition is called a spinal compression fracture and it is more severe than just a compression fracture itself.

Any kind of trauma or weakness in the vertebra can cause compression fractures. When these pressures occur in the vertebra they can cause them to collapse. Osteoporosis treatment is a difficult thing, the main key is prevention. It is most common to see these types of fractures in those over 50 years of age. If someone is experiencing back pain and they are above the age of 50, they should seek immediate assistance. By getting the proper treatment, it can help to decrease the gamble of additional fractures.

Here are some signs that could indicate the presence of a spinal compression fracture:

•Sharp, intense back pain. The pain can come and go or get gradually get worse.
•Increasing pain when upright or being mobile
•Certain pain reprieve when lying down
•Trouble and agony when twisting or leaning
•Loss of stature
•Disfigurement of the spine – the rounded, “hunchback” form

For a compression fracture, the discomfort characteristically occurs with a minor back tension throughout ordinary movement, like:

•Carrying several sacks of groceries
•Stooping to pick up something
•Sliding on a carpet or making a slip-up
•Picking up a suitcase from a trunk
•Changing bed linens

What does one who has Osteoporosis due to prevent spinal cord damage and compound fractures? There are some Osteoporosis treatment options, but most involve medications. The best way to keep a compression fracture at bay is to prevent Osteoporosis. The lack of calcium, vitamin d and not getting enough exercise put people at risk for developing this condition later in life. Also, those who have taken a great deal of corticosteroids are also at risk.

The prevention can involve supplements for calcium and Vitamin D. Also getting plenty of exercise and keeping the body moving is one of the biggest ways to prevent this horrible bone problem. Other methods can also be helpful. Those who drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes can find themselves at a great risk as well.

This condition can find itself as being totally silent, until it is too late. In fact, in most people with osteoporosis they do not have any sign they have it, until they have a broken bone. Compression fractures are just one sign that osteoporosis is deteriorating the bones. Thankfully, there are medications to help with this condition and make the bones a bit stronger.

When it came before the FDA advisory board they denied the approval base don the results made in the trial, which suggested that the documentation was not enough. This was the second denial of the PMA application which started back in 2006, and where again the data just didn’t offer enough support for the product approval. The FDA also suggested there were a number of other issues which also affected the approval process – these included:

• The research results were based on post-hoc analysis, a process that caused an issue with many members of the board. FDA panelists also suggested there was a bias within the design as many false positives or type I errors were presented.
• Clinicians believed that the presence of the end resulting bone was not caused by the bridging bone and stabilization, and could have resulted instead from the forming of fibrous tissue.
• The candidates chosen for the study where not appropriate for the initial tests.
• A possibility remains in there being negative effects of the protein on the immune system.

Still, many spine professionals believe that OP-1 could fulfil unmet clinical needs, as there are no other viable products for posterolateral lumbar fusions, and this product could prevent the need for iliac bone graft harvesting. These professionals say that there is enough data available, as it was studied in more than 15,000 studies and more than four years of follow-up information was also kept.

Stryker has also mentioned that 5 to 10% of the candidates tested have pre-existing anti-BMP antibodies and there seemed to be no difference in adverse effects in patients who had the neutralizing antibodies or those without.

At the FDA advisory board meeting of 2009, Dr. Paul McCormick was the lone analyst to hold up the product approval. He suggested that he would only agree with the approval if there were certain conditions and he noted that only if there was significant improvement in patients, the product was able to create bone and only then would suggest its approval as just another tool in surgical practice.

Yesterday’s panel results were not the only recent setback for the OP-1 franchise. OP-1 is currently marketed under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) and the company is currently facing a federal grand jury investigation over the marketing of OP-1.
For now, approval would imply Stryker to begin the clinical trial process again, take note of the immunogenic effects of the protein, especially when used in rabbits. The results could offer an approved OP-1 product that could offer solutions for Degenerative Disc Disease.

Severe obesity is sometimes referred to as morbid obesity. It can be defined by measurement of the Body Mass Index, or BMI, or by being more than 100 pounds overweight. Severely obese individuals place more strain on all parts of their body, including the spine. Any problem of the spine is going to be aggravated by extra weight. The pain will be worse, and the patient will, in general, just be more uncomfortable. Surgery on the spine can have the same positive results for the severely obese patient as a patient with normal weight. The problem is the aftermath of the surgery, better known as the complications. Most patients will benefit from weight loss prior to surgery. Not only will there be less spinal pain, the surgery will have fewer complications. Minimizing the risk of surgery is always a desirable goal.

One complication involves the healing of wounds associated with the surgery. For patients with a BMI over 40, the wounds do not heal at the same rate, and are more prone to infection. Other complications include pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis. These complications are particularly a concern with spinal fusion surgery. More complex surgery puts a greater strain on the patient’s body. Severely obese individuals are less likely to be able to cope with the additional strain. The most prominent problem following spinal fusion surgery for the severely obese is wound healing issues. It is more than the extended time for recovery; it is the increased risk of infection with all its attending problems.

Severe obesity is a risk factor is most complex surgeries so spinal surgery is no different. If you have a severe weight problem and need surgery at the Houston Spine Center, you need to consider weight loss prior to the surgery. The medical staff at the Spine Center, including Dr. Saqib Siddiqui, will be glad to discuss options concerning spinal surgery and weight loss. Contact the Houston Spine Center to learn how weight loss can lead to less spinal pain, and increased chances for a smooth spinal surgery.

An option to consider is a spine clinical trial. Clinical trials are regulated by the FDA and designed to allow individuals access to new medications and treatments before they become available to the general public. Participation in a spine clinical trial is voluntary and it is required that you understand any and all risks involved before enrolling in a trial. Being in a clinical trial can give you insight into new back pain treatments and advancements currently in process to aid in relief and therapy.

Spine clinical trials do not solely revolve around surgery or medications as a treatment, there are trials for various options. The only way to know if the treatments will truly work on their intended subjects is through the participation of human patients. You can help yourself and your fellow back pain and neck pain sufferers by seeing what a trial is about and insure that medical science keeps moving forward.

For those suffering back or neck area pain in the western United States, The Spine Center in Tempe, Arizona can provide you with answers to all your questions about treatment options. They offer minimally invasive spinal surgery which is a new advanced method to treat both chronic and acute pain. The center offers guidance for treatments that do not involve surgery such as physical therapy and prescription medications.

The first step in treating your back or neck area pain is learning all your options and having a discussion with a doctor who specializes in treating spinal discomfort. No matter what the cause of your pain is, there are surgeries, treatments and therapies available to you that go beyond self treatment and can provide sought after long term relief.