FAQ's

How does a spine problem arise?

While there is no particular one reason, it can be said that by birth some people may have structural weakness in the discs, also lifestyle & medical factors are big contributors.

Is all pain in the back and neck due to spine problems?

Most of the pain symptoms, upto 70% of the times, can be due to poor musculoskeletal architecture, that is the muscles are weak and also lifestyle and posture can aggravate the pain.

Is posture a big contributor to pain in back and spine problems?

The way you sit and stand has a big say in the strength of the muscles and the development of back pain. If you sit hunched forward or stoop while walking it will cause unequal stress on the back muscles leading to pain and eventually spine problems.

Can spine problems occur in very young age?

Nowadays the lifestyle of young people is sedentary, with very less physical activity or sports that they play. This leads to poor development of muscles and bones, which ultimately can lead to spine problems if not corrected early enough at an early age.

If someone has a spine problem, if not treated will it lead to paralysis?

Since there are innumerable reasons by which the spinal cord can get compressed, if the compression on the spinal cord is severe and long standing, it can lead to damage of the nerves within the spinal cord, this damage though not immediate, but slow developing weakness of the affected areas can develop.

Are there any medicines to treat the spine problems?

Medicines that are usually given to control pain in people suffering from spinal problem, are painkillers. Painkillers if taken for a long duration can lead to several side effects, some which can be mild like acidity and gastric upset, but others more deadly like renal failure, liver enzymes imbalance and blood sugar imbalance can also develop.

Apart from painkillers there are no medicines available to control the problem in the long run.

By changing bed and sleeping on the floor will it help in reducing the spinal problem?

We advise to take a firm mattress while sleeping, no need of buying any expensive mattress, as all of these give only external support to the body, they by themselves cannot reduce the problems which are present internally.

If a person has spine problem and severe pain, how long to wait before we go for surgery?

Usually patients with spine problem, who have severe pain, we try all conservative approaches, like physiotherapy, modalities, epidural & root block injections & analgesics with anti inflammatories, only after a conservative trial period of 4-6 months are over and patient is still not responding then only we advise surgery.

Can a person after a spine surgery lead a normal lifestyle?

Nowadays we do spine surgeries in a minimally invasive & endoscopic approach, this surgery does not cause any major tissue damage, the post-operative period is not painful, also recovery is quick. Hence patients after a minimally invasive spine surgery can perform almost all of their normal functions after the surgery.

Is a spine surgery risky?

Any surgery done has some risks ranging from minor complications to infections to major complications like non resolution of symptoms. With the advancement of technology and skilled persons performing the surgeries, these risks have been reduced significantly, so as to say, can be considered negligible. Infact in some surgeries for some conditions, these can be performed as daycare procedures, that is after the procedure the patient can go home the same day in the evening or night.