Advanced Spine Treatment for a More Comfortable Life
Living with a spine condition or back pain can make normal activities uncomfortable or even impossible. At Baptist Health System, we have a compassionate spine care team, with doctors from several medical and surgical specialties, including orthopedics
and neurology, who want to help you live a more comfortable life.
Our doctors usually conduct physical exams and request diagnostic imaging tests to further evaluate your condition. Then, they usually recommend non-surgical options first, such as lifestyle changes, stretching exercises, posture correction, medications
and/or physical therapy. But when these won’t take care of the disruptive, nagging or potentially dangerous pain or disease, our spine specialists may offer advanced treatment options, including robotic-assisted spine surgery.
What Are the Common Symptoms of a Spine Condition?
The spine, also known as the backbone, is composed of 26 bone discs called the vertebrae. The vertebrae allow you to bend and stand and protect your spinal cord as well. There are several problems that can damage your vertebrae and surrounding tissues
as well as change the structure of your spine. These include injuries, infections, conditions, tumors and bone changes that happen as we age.
Please see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of a spine condition or disorder:
- Back or neck pain that persists up to 10-14 days
- Stiffness at the lower back that restricts range of motion
- Inability to maintain a normal posture
- Noticeable decline in motor function such as the ability to heel walk or tip toe
- Muscle spasms at rest or with activity
How Do Doctors Diagnose a Spine Condition or Disorder?
Your doctor may diagnose your condition based on your signs and symptoms, through a physical exam and by asking you to undergo any or a combination of the following diagnostic tests:
- X-ray
- Computer tomography (CT) scan
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Lumbar and cervical discography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nerve conduction studies
What Are the Spine Conditions We Treat?
Some of the most common spine conditions we help treat, include but are not limited to, the following:
- Chronic back pain
- Chronic neck pain
- Degenerative back conditions
- Degenerative neck conditions
- Herniated disc
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Ruptured disc
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal arthritis
- Spinal deformities
- Spinal disc deterioration
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal injury from improper lifting
- Spinal trauma
- Spinal tumors
What Are the Spine Treatment Options We Offer?
Aside from common treatment options such as medications, physical therapy and posture correction, we also offer the following advanced spine treatment options at Baptist Health System:
- Anterior cervical disc decompression and fusion
- Anterior cervical discectomy
- Anterior cervical discectomy
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
- Artificial cervical disc replacement
- Cervical fusion
- Disc replacement
- Interventional spine procedure
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminectomy
- Laminoplasty
- Lumbar decompression and fusion
- Lumbar fusion
- Lumbar laminectomy
- Lumbar microdiscectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Microscopic tubular resection (MITR)
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Nerve decompression
- Posterior cervical decompression and fusion
- Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
- Robot-assisted spinal fusion
- Spinal cord stimulators
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal revision surgery
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
What Are the Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Spine Procedures?
We want to see our patients recover as soon as possible. That’s why we offer some robotic-assisted, minimally invasive procedures that may lead to shorter hospital stays and faster recovery periods. These advanced procedures may also help reduce
our patients’ exposure to radiation and fluoroscopy, making them a safer option than traditional surgery.
Our advanced technology helps our surgeons in planning the surgery by having a three-dimensional view of the location of the area of concern. Also, robotic-assisted surgeries usually make smaller incisions than traditional surgery and may also provide
better accuracy that may help lessen the risks of complications.
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon vs. Neurosurgeon
Your primary care physician may recommend you to either an orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon based on your specific concerns and initial findings. Both orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons are board-certified surgeons and are considered
spine specialists who can help treat your back and spine concerns. The only difference between the two is that an orthopedic surgeon is trained to treat the spine, while a neurosurgeon is specialized in treating brain and spine conditions or illnesses.
What Are the Risk Factors for Spine Pain or a Spine Condition?
The following factors may increase a person’s risk for a spine condition or spine pain:
- Advanced age
- Family history of a spine condition
- Occupational activities
- Obesity and excess weight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Strenuous physical activities, especially when done incorrectly
- Prior medical conditions such as cancer and arthritis
If you are at an increased risk for spine pain or a spine condition, please schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
Why Choose Baptist Health System for Spine Care?
Baptist Health System has The Joint Commission accreditation as a proof of its commitment to compassionate care in San Antonio and its surrounding cities. We have six spine care locations across San Antonio, strategically located so more patients will
have access to safe, compassionate care, close to their homes.
At every location, we have doctors, surgeons, nurses, therapists and staff who are eager to help you live a more comfortable life and will be ready to assist you every stage of your journey. Whether you’re suffering from spine pain, injury or a
chronic spine condition, we’re here for you with the support and high-quality spine care you deserve.
To learn more about our advanced spine treatment options or to schedule an initial screening, please call 866-309-2873. We’re here for you.
