Back Pain in the Older Adult
It is not uncommon for adults to experience back pain more frequently once they reach age 60. Because this is the case, there is somewhat of a normalcy to this problem.
We tend to hear much more about neck and low back pain than we do mid-back pain. If certain movements are limited due to stiffness or pain in this middle segment of the spine, it is important to know what the cause may be. More importantly, patients need to know that there are treatments available to address chronic mid back pain that can enable them to engage more fully in life.
There are various procedures that are performed to address pain in the mid back area, including the Thoracic Discectomy Neural Decompression Procedure, performed in our Tampa facility. Using this minimally invasive technique, it is possible to alleviate symptoms of a herniated or bulging disc, such as:
Generally, physicians treat mid back pain conservatively at first. Patients with a thoracic herniated disc may be observed for a period of time, during which their activities are limited. A few days may need to be taken off to rest and allow the inflammation in the back to decrease. Imaging tests are often ordered at this time to observe the disc space more closely and provide necessary information to guide the future treatment plan.
When thoracic surgery is warranted, the Thoracic Discectomy Neural Decompression Procedure may be an excellent option for many patients. This minimally-invasive laser procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and is usually completed in 90 minutes or less. The surgery is performed with IV sedation and constant monitoring of vital signs. Herniated discs are addressed with a Thulium laser, which shrinks the herniation that is the root cause of pain. The thermal energy of the laser also turns off the pain receptors around the disc and seal blood vessels that facilitate inflammation in the area.
Thoracic Discectomy Neural Decompression is performed with precision through small incisions. The immediate recovery from treatment is approximately one hour, during which we closely monitor the patient as the sedative medication wears off.
Learn more about how minimally invasive discectomy and neural decompression can help you or someone you love. Call our Tampa office at (813) 920-3022.