Know before you go: Tips for a successful visit with a neck and spine expert

For millions of Americans, the effects of back pain can range anywhere from inconvenient to debilitating.

Fortunately, experts at the Baylor Medicine Spine Center provide the full continuum of care for back and neck conditions – from the common to the most complex. Spine surgeon Dr. Cyrus King, assistant professor of neurosurgery, provides insight into the common causes of back pain and offers a few helpful tips to ensure a successful visit with a spine expert.

Causes

King cites modern-day ergonomics as a leading cause of back issues. “A lot of times, we have very specialized work, and we’re either confined to working at a desk, hunched over at a computer, staring at our phones or performing heavy labor.” These positions and activities are confining and repetitive and may lead to larger problems.

Various comorbidities, such as smoking or being overweight, may also compound back issues.

Know before you go

Whether a patient arrives at the Spine Center by way of referral from another provider or by self-referral, King shares what he looks for at the crucial first visit.

“If imaging is available, I review it prior to the visit. Then, as I’m meeting with the patient, I’m listening to see how their story fits into the images I’ve looked at.”

King explains that time plays a large part in understanding the issue at hand. “The number one question is, how long has this been going on? Is this 10 years in the making, or has the issue been going on for a week?” While pain in the short term that corrects itself may not need intervention, escalating pain over a longer period may signal concern.

Additionally, patients should come prepared to discuss the mechanics of their pain. As King explains, “It is insightful to know if the pain a patient is experiencing is limited to their back, or if it also travels down to their legs. Does it get worse when they stand or walk? Is there relief when they sit or lie down?”

We’ve got your back

The multidisciplinary Baylor Medicine Spine Center brings together specialists from physical medicine and rehabilitation, interventional pain medicine, orthopedic surgery and spine neurosurgery, allowing patients to receive comprehensive treatment plans suited to their unique needs.

As a spine surgeon, King stresses the importance of conservative treatment options. “Therapy and pain management are the first lines of defense when it comes to trying to get patients better. We want to try every non-operative option before recommending surgery. We know therapy and pain management can be effective for most cases.”

Surgery is not a decision patients arrive at easily, and King believes they should feel empowered to ask questions to ensure the highest level of understanding and confidence moving forward.

“Several types of surgeries exist – endoscopic, minimally invasive or traditional/open surgeries. Work with your provider to identify the best option for you. Additionally, some surgeons will suggest instrumentation, such as screws and rods. Ask why they are recommending this.”

Finally, King recommends patients ask their surgical provider what kind of technology they use to improve outcomes and ensure safety. “This is a delicate area, working around the spine and nerves. We want to use technology, such as imaging, monitoring and navigation instrumentation, to help us work safer. At Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, we’re fortunate to have a lot of advanced technology to help us provide the very best care possible.”

Learn more about the Baylor Medicine Spine Center or call 713-798-2225.

By Cristina Flores, communications associate with the Department of Neurosurgery