Back Pain Specialist
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Basin Neurosurgical and Spine Associates
Alim M Ladha, MD
Neurosurgeon & Fellowship Trained Spine Surgeon located in Midland and Odessa, TX
Your spine is a complex body part made up of a series of bones that support the weight and movements of your upper body and head, while protecting your spinal cord. Back pain, as well as neck pain, often occurs because of problems involving the spine. At Basin Neurosurgical and Spine Associates in Odessa, Texas, Alim Ladha, MD, specializes in treating back pain and neck pain. To discuss surgical options for your back pain, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Back Pain Q & A
What is back pain?
Many people experience back pain at some point during their life. The pain may range from a dull ache to severe pain that affects mobility.
Most people with back pain have acute back pain that lasts no more than a few weeks. However, some people have chronic back pain, which is pain that lasts three or more months.
Chronic back pain or neck pain may affect your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, especially when medical treatments fail to ease your discomfort.
What causes back pain?
Back pain usually develops from a structural problem in your back that affects normal function of the spine and back. Common causes of neck and back pain include:
- Herniated disk
- Degenerative disk disease
- Strains and sprains
- Fractures
- Scoliosis
- Sciatica
- Pinched nerve
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
The degenerative changes that affect your spine as you get older are a common cause of chronic neck and back pain. These changes affect the spacing in your spinal canal and exit points for your nerve roots.
Inadequate spacing may cause irritation, pinching, or compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves, resulting in pain.
Who needs surgery for back pain?
In most cases, back and neck pain improve with medical treatment. When you visit Basin Neurosurgical and Spine Associates for a spine surgery consultation, Dr. Ladha performs a comprehensive exam.
He may only recommend spine surgery for neck or back pain if conservative treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, fail to ease your pain and he can identify the exact source of your pain.
What are the types of back pain surgery?
Surgery for your back or neck pain depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms. Dr. Ladha customizes your spine surgery treatment plan and reviews the details at your presurgical visit.
When possible, Dr. Ladha uses minimally invasive techniques or robotic surgery when performing spine surgery. Types of surgery he may perform to treat back pain include:
- Laminectomy — removal of lamina to improve spinal spacing
- Diskectomy — removal of a damaged intervertebral disk
- Artificial disk replacement — placement of an artificial disk to restore spine function
- Spinal fusion — joining of two or more vertebrae to stop painful movements
- Foraminotomy — opening up of the foramen, which is the exit point for spinal nerves
Dr. Ladha also performs complex spine surgery and revision spine surgery.
Back pain affects every aspect of your life. To discuss surgical options, call Basin Neurosurgical and Spine Associates or schedule an appointment online today.