Everyone suffers from occasional neck and back pain. When it becomes disabling or doesn't go away in a reasonable amount of time, medical evaluation is needed. Ruptured discs (slipped discs), spinal stenosis (pinched nerves) and arthritis are just some of the spine disorders that can cause disabling pain in the back, neck, arms and legs. Some spine problems become more common as people age, but they aren't an inevitable part of aging. In fact, spine disorders can affect people of all ages.

The good news is that most patients don't need surgery for spine problems. Conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, proper body mechanics, exercise and medications, often help relieve pain. When patients do need surgery, open procedures that require a large incision are no longer their only option.

"Spine surgery has improved dramatically over the years," says Virgil Becker, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at Auburn Regional Medical Center (ARMC). "Today, we're better able to identify the cause of patients' symptoms and identify patients who may improve with surgical interventions. We also offer many patients newer, less invasive alternatives."

Innovative Procedures Available at ARMC
Surgeons at ARMC can often use more advanced techniques and special instruments to perform minimally invasive spine procedures that can help patients get back on their feet. For example, they perform surgical decompression procedures, such as microdiscectomies, to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord. During these procedures, surgeons remove pieces of bone or discs that are pressing on the spinal cord.

Other patients with degenerative discs or unstable spines may improve with cervical or lumbar fusion procedures. Doctors may use bone grafts and metal rods and screws to fuse bones together and stabilize the spine.

"Patients prefer minimally invasive spine procedures because they typically have smaller scars, feel less pain after surgery and spend less time in the hospital," says Terry Smith, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at ARMC. "They usually recover much faster, too. Patients who undergo open surgery may spend weeks or months recovering. Those who have minimally invasive procedures generally feel better in days or weeks."

Spine Surgery Close to Home
Talk with your doctor about your symptoms if you have pain, tingling or numbness in your back, neck, arms or legs. He or she may refer you to a spine specialist who can assess your condition and recommend appropriate treatments. If you need surgery, you can get the expert care you need close to home at ARMC.

Spine Surgery at Auburn Regional Medical Center
Whether it's back pain, neck pain or another spinal disorder, spine surgeons at Auburn Regional Medical Center use many of the latest medical advances for you, including:

• Minimally invasive surgery so you'll spend less time in the hospital and get back on your feet in days, not weeks.
• New techniques in spine surgery for less pain, quicker recovery and better outcomes.
• New procedures, including spinal decompression, microdiscectomy and cervical and lumbar fusions.

To find a surgeon, call our free Direct Doctors^SM Plus physician referral line at 1-800-370-8640.

Auburn Regional Medical Center is proud to be named a 2007 Recipient of the Critical Care Excellence Award and rates as number one in the state and among the top 10 percent in the nation by HealthGrades. The hospital was also listed as a 2006 CareScience Select Practice National Quality Leader for being among the top 1 percent in providing superior treatment and achieving excellent clinical outcomes in the category of heart failure.

Please call our Direct Doctors^SM Plus physician referral line at 1-800-370-8640 to find a spine surgeon at ARMC.

202 North Division St., Auburn, WA 98001 (253) 833-7711, FAX: (253) 939-2376