When NO surgery is a good thing?

Oftentimes, when evaluating a patient I offer my opinion that they are not a surgical candidate. This opinion comes after a thoughtful review of the history, physical exam, imaging findings and the patient’s expectations. Sometimes, no good surgical options are available.

An important concept to learn is that surgical procedures are focused on decreasing pain and/ or minimizing nerve injury. If a patient has complaints or findings that a surgery cannot improve upon; then the best option is NO surgery.

Another time surgery may not be the best option is when the risks of the procedure outweigh the benefits. Typically, the older or sicker we are the more risk associated with anesthesia and the trauma of surgery. Some procedures may take 2-6 hours (depending on the complexity of the case) which increases blood loss, risk of infection, anesthetic risks and post op complications.

Ultimately, both the surgeon and patient want the best outcome possible. If surgery cannot deliver a reasonable outcome, then non-operative treatment makes the most sense. When I get a disappointed look from the patient during the conversation; I mention that as a surgeon I enjoy operating BUT I appreciate a good outcome even more.

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LCOA congratulates Paul Saiz, MD

Las Cruces Orthopedic Associates would like to congratulate Dr Paul Saiz for his latest article published in the July/ August issue of Spineline. His article is entitled Lumbar Laminectomy Code Review and addresses proper coding of lumbar spine decompression procedures. Spineline is a bimonthly journal addressing all issues spine related and is published by the North American Spine Society (NASS). NASS is a multi-disciplinary medical society consisting of Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurosurgeons, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Management physicians.

Neymar and His Broken Back

Anybody watching the World Cup or familiar with soccer has heard of Neymar; the star of the Brazilian National Soccer team and plays his club ball next to Messi at Barcelona. During a game against Columbia in the Quarterfinals of the World Cup, Neymar was involved in an aerial challenge with a Columbian player that involved a knee to the lumbar spine of the Brazilian. Afterwards, Neymar was taken on a stretcher to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a Lumbar 3 vertebrae fracture.

Amid all the reports of potential paralysis, the good news is that neurologic injury is extremely rare from this type of injury. The Columbian player made contact with his knee against the muscles of the low back of Neymar.  Some of the forces  imparted by the blow could have caused a fracture or in combination with muscular contraction caused a piece of the spine bone (Vertebra) to break (fracture). The most common areas of the spine to break would be the Spinous Processes or the Transverse processes. These bony prominences serve as muscle attachment points and do not have a weight bearing responsibility. In other words, even with a fracture, the Spine is stable and the patient can walk and do activities as long as pain is under control.

Typically, with this group of stable, non-surgical injuries, pain control is the first step which involves bracing or a brief period of immobilization. Similar to rib fractures, time will eventually heal the injury and activity as tolerated is instituted once the patient feels better (typically 2-4 weeks). On average, fracture healing requires 6 weeks and then the patient can begin to resume normal activities. The long term prognosis from these injuries is good and most people are back to full activity within 3-6 months.

The good news for Neymar is that he should expect a full recovery with no limitations over the next 3-4 months. The bad news for Brazil is that there best player won’t be on the field for the World Cup.

Paul Saiz, MD

About Sacro-Iliac Pain

Dr. Paul Saiz is an expert on orthopedic injuries of the spine. The owner of Las Cruces Orthopedic Associates, Paul Saiz, MD, is the author of numerous articles regarding spinal ailments and musculoskeletal disorders.

The sacro-iliac joint is the part of the body responsible for transferring weight between the legs and the back and torso. Stress on this joint can be as much as two to three times greater than an individual’s body weight, which can cause a great deal of pain. In fact, the SI joint causes an estimated 20 to 25 percent of reported cases of back pain. In addition, the SI joint is thought to be the source of pain among 50 percent of all failed back surgeries.

There are a number of ways to treat SI pain, the most common being stabilization belts, anti-inflammatory injections, and physical therapy. In recent years, new technology has been developed to fuse, or immobilize, the SI joint through surgery. Over 25,000 patients have received the procedure, with minimal complications. And although not every patient requires surgery, those with chronic sacroiliac pain may want to consider surgery of the SI joint as an option.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Option for Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Paul Saiz, MD, is the only fellowship-trained spine and tumor surgeon in New Mexico. As the owner of Las Cruces Orthopedic Associates in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Dr. Paul Saiz is a highly respected orthopedic spine surgeon, having earned many faculty nominations and recognition for his articles on topics pertaining to back and neck conditions, such as sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.

Responsible for transforming weight back and forth from the legs to the lower back, the sacroiliac (SI) joint has often been overlooked due to the fact that, for many years, there was a lack of information on how the SI joint can cause pain. Presently, the SI joint is recognized as as a potential pain generator in regards to lower back pain. For chronic pain originating in the SI joint, surgery is a valid treatment option. Today’s minimally invasive surgery treats the lumber spine and SI joint with a combination of technology and tissue sparing techniques, reducing recovery time to outpatient surgery or 1-2 days as an inpatient. However, not all insurance plans will pay for these surgeries to be done as an outpatient. In addition, how healthy patients are can determine whether a procedure can be done as an inpatient or outpatient.

What Is Trabecular Metal?

An accomplished spinal surgeon, Paul Saiz, MD, has served as a speaker and faculty member at numerous seminars, conferences, and continuing education courses. Dr. Paul Saiz has taught several such courses on the spinal use of trabecular metal.

Designed for use in orthopedic and dental implants, trabecular metal approximates the properties of bone. Its 80 percent porous construction allows for surrounding bone to grow into the structure with as much as three times more effectiveness than traditional implant coatings. The compound further supports the growing in of natural bone (in-growth); in that its pores are consistently sized and fully interconnected. Studies have demonstrated that this construction allows for better filling in of available pores compared to other materials.

Also constructed to be stable in daily use, the compound features nanotextured construction with a high friction coefficient. This encourages a stronger initial fit as well as continuing tightness. After four weeks, study subjects showed a bone interface strength approximately double that of sinter-bonded bead implants. This is further enhanced by the compound’s low elastic modulus, which gives the material the same stiffness as bone (making it more bone friendly). Chemically and biologically stable as well, it stands out as a safe and more effective alternative to traditional implant substances.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Currently caring for patients at Las Cruces Orthopedic Associates in New Mexico, Paul Saiz, MD, is the only board-certified spine surgeon in the state. At his facility, Paul Saiz, MD, analyzes low back pain including the sacroiliac joint; to develop a plan to treat patients’ complaints and to see if he can offer options (surgery and non surgery)to alleviate their discomfort.

Located where the spine and pelvis meet, the sacroiliac joint can produce pain in the back and legs due to a variety of factors, which include stress from movement, infection, trauma, pregnancy, and stress fractures. Some estimates claim that up to 25 percent of all chronic lower back pain can be linked to the sacroiliac joint. To discover whether the sacroiliac joint is responsible for pain, doctors will administer a physical exam and determine what tests to use; which include x-rays, CT scans, and nerve blocks.

Once a diagnosis is made, doctors can provide several forms of treatment for this condition. Traditionally, doctors prescribe physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and stabilization belts. Some modern technology, however, has led to additional options. For example, a new and minimally invasive procedure can be performed that fuses and immobilizes the joint. This allows for quicker recovery with fewer post-surgery issues.