Back Pain

Do you have back pain because of an injury, a congenital disorder or a chronic condition? Our orthopedic doctors in Los Alamitos can develop a customized treatment plan suitable to your unique needs.

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Back and Spine Care with Various Treatment Options

Living life to the fullest may be challenging when you have back or spine pain. The good news is, Los Alamitos Medical Center offers various back pain treatment options delivered with utmost compassion and expertise. We have an orthopedic team composed of surgeons, doctors, nurses, technologists and administrative staff, ready to provide high-quality care, guidance and support. And as a community built on respect, we value the importance of bedside manners and how we treat you and your family.

Some of the back and spine pain services we offer include:

• Diagnostic tests and screenings to properly diagnose your condition
• Nonsurgical treatment options to relieve pain
• Surgical options if nonsurgical approaches have been unsuccessful
• Minimally invasive procedures that may lead to less scarring and faster recovery
• Orthopedic classes and events where you can learn more about taking care of your back or spine and gain support from others as well

What Are the Types of Back Pain?

There are different types of back pain. The most common ones are:

1. Acute back pain – usually lasts for only a few days to several weeks. You may experience acute back pain from accidents, muscle overuse or falls.
2. Chronic back pain – may last for over three months and may be caused by a medical condition.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Back Pain?

For proper back pain diagnosis, your orthopedic doctor may conduct a physical exam to assess your:

• Reflexes
• Spine’s range of motion
• Ability to stand and walk
• Leg strength
• Ability to detect sensations in your legs

The back pain doctor may also ask about the signs and symptoms you experience, your medical history and your family’s medical history. Based on their initial evaluation, your doctor may prescribe nonsurgical treatment options or recommend additional tests and screenings to determine the cause of your pain.

Some of the diagnostic tests and screenings a back pain doctor may request are as follows:

• Blood test
• Bone scan
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Urine test
• X-ray

What Back or Spine Conditions Do You Treat?

Some of the back and spine conditions our doctors diagnose, manage and treat include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Arthritis
• Cancers of the spine
• Cervical myelopathy
• Herniated disc
• Osteoporosis
• Pinched nerves
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Sprains and strains
• Spine infection

What Are the Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Back Pain?

Your back pain doctor in Los Alamitos may prescribe nonsurgical back pain treatment options or home remedies, such as:

• Heat or ice therapy
• Muscle relaxants
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Opioids
• Ointments and topical rubs
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections
• Certain exercises
• Salt baths
• Alternative treatments (acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, massage, yoga, etc.)

What Surgical Treatment Do We Offer?

When more traditional approaches are not enough to relieve pain or bring back your mobility, our back pain doctors may recommend any of the following surgical options, depending on your condition:

• Anterior cervical surgery – aims to decompress the cervical spinal cord or nerves through the front of the neck
• Deformity spinal surgery – aims to improve the alignment of the spine of patients with scoliosis or kyphosis
• Laminectomy (spinal decompression) – aims to remove the back part of one or more vertebrae to relieve pressure on your nerves or provide access to the spinal cord
• Microdiscectomy –a minimally invasive procedure for herniated discs or discs that moved to an abnormal location
• Minimally invasive spine surgery – uses specialized instruments and techniques and may lead to less scarring, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times than traditional surgery
• Spinal fusion – aims to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in the spine to eliminate motion between them
• Spine cancer surgery – aims to stabilize the spine and decompress the spinal cord and nerves
• Surgeries for spinal cord injury or spine fracture – aim to decompress and stabilize spinal fractures and treat spinal cord injury
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty – are minimally invasive procedures that aim to stabilize a spinal compression fracture

What Kind of Doctor Do I See for Back Pain?

We recommend seeing an orthopedic doctor or a back pain specialist for back pain. Orthopedic doctors complete years of education and clinical training to diagnose, manage, treat and prevent diseases that affect your bones, joints, muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons (also known as the musculoskeletal system). They can also assist with rehabilitation, which can help you regain or improve your strength, movement, range of motion and flexibility after an injury or surgery.

When Should You See a Back Pain Doctor?

Back pain is often not to worry about as it resolves itself naturally. Almost everyone experiences back pain at least once in their lifetime. However, you’ll know when it’s the more severe kind. It’s best to see a back pain doctor if you experience pain and some of the following signs and symptoms:

• Back deformities
• Back swelling
• Chest pain
• Difficulty urinating
• Fever
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness or tingling around your buttocks or genitals
• Pain that comes from the top of your back or between your shoulders
• Pain that gets worse at night
• Pain that gets worse when you sneeze, cough or poop
• Pain that makes it harder for you to sleep
• Unexplained weight loss
• Spinal stenosis
• Spine trauma

Los Alamitos Medical Center has orthopedic doctors who provide back pain-related services with empathy and sincerity to make anyone feel safe, understood and well taken care of.