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Ways of treating spinal Problems

(Dr.H.Hiertz)

In principle, in the case of persistent pain emanating from the spine, it is necessary to carry out a precise examination and clarification with X-ray / MRI or additionally CT.

The therapy must always be created individually. But of course – provided there is no paralysis – treatment is always first carried out for 6-12 weeks without an operation. Treatment includes pain relievers, infusions, infiltrations or punctures, and physiotherapy. A high-dose therapy with morphine preparations should be avoided and is not a long-term therapy !!! (unfortunately often used procedure).

The operation is carried out if a reasonable quality of life cannot be achieved or if there is paralysis. This always sounds very dangerous to the layperson – but most operations involving wear and tear on the spine are routine operations with few dangerous complications. The risk of paralysis after surgery is usually well below 1% – although there is such a risk due to the findings on the spine, ie in the course of the disease without surgery, pressure on the nerve can also result in a neurological deficit.

The decisive factor is the exact examination, diagnosis, planning according to the latest international guidelines and the exact discussion of the possibilities. The “minimally invasive therapy” that has come into fashion is often not sensible or possible, since it is of crucial importance for the result that the “sagittal profile” of the spine is reconstructed in order to get a correct fracture transmission.

After detailed information about the disease, the dangers of the operation and the dangers that are usually present due to the findings themselves and the treatment options, the decision is always made by the person concerned and never by the doctor.