Back pain is among the most common diseases in the world: in fact, it is estimated that 80% of the population has suffered from back pain at least once in their life.

In most cases, low back pain episodes are benign in nature and resolve spontaneously within 1-8 weeks. Only in about 10% of cases pain persists for 6 months or more. Relapses, however, occur in 60-70% of cases, especially in the 12 months following the first episode.

Back pain tends to affect women and it is a phenomenon that increases with ages so much that, from 65 to 84 years, 93.6% of people are affected.

In general, back pain should not cause fear or alarm, as it can be caused by physiological (genetic, overweight, stress), mechanical (incorrect or sudden movements) or external (temperature changes). You should worry when back pain:

• Proves to be invalidating and/or relapsing
• It manifests at the same time as another pathology or pre-existing conditions
• Does not improve with the use of common medicine

It is highly recommended to consult your doctor even when the following symptoms appear along with back pain: 

• Tingling;
• General weakness
• Urinary or faecal incontinence
• Walking difficulties

You should also contact your doctor, especially when the pain is persistent and recurrent, as well as disabling.

 What is spinal neurosurgery for back pain?

• The examination of spinal neurosurgery is indicated for all those who suffer from pain in the spine, in order to trace the triggering cause and evaluate the most suitable therapeutic procedure for solving the problem. Accordingly, the spinal neurosurgical examination is aimed at diagnosing diseases of the nervous system and disorders affecting the spine.

• When to request a spinal neurosurgical examination?
  The first reason to require a spinal neurosurgical examination is when pain persists over 1-2 weeks. Physical pain can become chronic and, therefore, constant, stressful and disabling both socially and at work. In some cases, it can seriously impair psychological and emotional wellbeing and alter both sleep-wake rhythm, as well as mood in general.
  The spinal neurosurgical examination allows to identify the cause by making a diagnosis, which can arise as a result of muscle damage (tears, strains and contractures), joint damage (arthritis and herniated disc), bone damage (fractures), damage to the nervous system and spinal cord disorders

• Why request a spinal neurosurgical examination?
  Requiring a spinal neurosurgery visit may be helpful in determining the underlying causes of back pain and, therefore, the underlying issues behind the patient’s reported symptoms.
  The doctor uses tests such as MRI, CT, X-ray and functional assessment tests to investigate as thoroughly as possible and get a complete and comprehensive diagnosis.
  The primary objective of the visit is to reach a certain diagnosis and then define a rehabilitation course or a spinal cord surgery, if needed.
  The specific pathologies that mainly cause back pain are the following:
• Arthrosis
• Disc herniation
• Overweight
• Muscle contractures
• Hypomobility
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Spondylodiscitis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Scoliosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoporosis
• Vertebral collapses
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Consequences of road accidents
• Consequences of fractures in the vertebrae or pelvis
• Bones or bone marrow tumours

In addition to the most "painful" pathologies, there are also numerous risk factors that should not be underestimated, such as:
• Obesity
• Incorrect posture
• Cigarette smoke
• Upright position prolonged in time
• Heavy work
• Frequent torso flexion
• Anxiety and depression

• How does a spinal neurosurgical examination take place?
  The examination of spinal neurosurgery is performed by a specialized neurosurgeon who collaborates (especially at the time of diagnosis) with other specialists such as orthopaedist, physiatrist, physiotherapist and psychiatrist.
  The visit is divided into several phases: in the first phase, the doctor investigates the symptomatology accused by the patient and the measures taken over time to find relief; in the second phase the doctor evaluates the patient’s posture and the movements that the patient can make without feeling pain; in the third phase, then, the doctor observes and examines the spine, considering its curvature and alignment.
  Finally, the doctor looks at the results of the instrumental examinations and, on the basis of all the collected data, formulates a diagnosis, which follows the prescription of an appropriate therapy. Depending on the trigger, the severity of the condition, and the extent of the symptoms, your doctor may choose among:
  • Rehabilitation treatment: it consists of a personalized rehabilitation program in the gym or in thermal water guided by a physiotherapist. It may also include instrumental treatments (Tecar therapy, Lasertherapy etc.) and manual therapy techniques
  • Infiltrative treatment: it is useful in the treatment of pathologies of the spine and, usually, is performed by the neurosurgeon
  • Surgical treatment: it is the only option in the most severe cases, that is, those that generally do not respond to physiotherapy treatments
  In recent years the majority of neurosurgeons opts for minimally invasive treatments in the treatment of back diseases, especially in the presence of low back pain and cervical pain. in fact, the new available techniques allow not only to act on compressive nerve syndromes, but also to relieve back pain.
  For patients who do not respond to physiotherapy or other medical treatment, minimally invasive treatments may be the best answer, because they allow maximum results with limited surgery. This results in less blood loss, a reduction of the hospital stay and a faster post-operative recovery. 

• How long does a spinal neurosurgical examination take?
  A spinal neurosurgery visit typically takes 30 to 40 minutes. The timing may vary from case to case, depending on the symptoms reported by the patient, his medical history, the results of instrumental examinations and the type of treatment that the doctor intends to prescribe.

• Does a spinal neurosurgery visit require specific training?No, the spinal neurosurgery exam requires no specific training. The patient has to bring all the results of the examinations carried out at the request of the doctor and all the medical documentation relating to the back pain in their possession.

• Does the spinal neurosurgical exam have any contraindications?
  No, the examination of spinal neurosurgery does not include contraindications and does not involve any side effects. Usually, it is the primary physician who advises the patient to go to a neurosurgeon for a specialist visit, so any negative consequences can be excluded.

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