Description

Most people have back surgery to relieve pain, but all too often it doesn't help. For the half million people who undergo back surgery each year, and the additional million who are seriously contemplating it, Do You Really Need Back Surgery? is a godsend--an informed, reliable guide to when you should consider surgery and when you should not.
Written by an internationally recognized expert in nerve and spinal surgery, this highly readable guide covers everything back patients need to know to make informed decisions about their treatment. The book discusses the details of spinal anatomy; explains the difference between acute, chronic, and recurring pain; shows how to keep the spine healthy; and defines such terms as spurs, stenosis, and slippage. It also reveals what clues your physician uses to predict whether a given type of pain is likely to go away with rest and exercise, and which types may become emergencies. Dr. Filler discusses the risks of surgery, the decisions you may be faced with and what options you have, and your expectations for recovery. He provides detailed explanations of the wide array of spinal injections and surgeries, including discectomies and fusions, as well as innovative procedures such as electrothermic and laser techniques and artificial disks. He explains the various medical imaging and diagnostic tests available and even covers the complexities of health insurance.
From Pilates to pedicle screws, and from osteoporosis to spina bifida, Do You Really Need Back Surgery? covers all the questions your doctor usually doesn't have the time to answer. Featuring more than 80 illustrations, it is an essential manual for every neck or back pain sufferer.

Features

• Cloth edition sold 6,403 copies (over $92,000)
• Written by a world-famous expert in nerve and spinal surgery
• The first authoritative and accessible book about back surgery-and how to avoid it-written by a surgeon for patients
• Comprehensive review of the pros and cons of available options
• Covers all the questions doctors often don't have time to answer
• Defines basic terminology and anatomy
• Discusses the various types of back and neck pain and their causes, noting that most back pain goes away without treatment
• Includes over 80 illustrations and clearly-labeled diagrams
• Author maintains a detailed book site which contains info about the book as well as an array of resources for back pain sufferers

Reviews

"This is the first book that bridges the gap between a surgical textbook and an elementary lay book. Dr. Filler clearly describes the nature of back pain and treatment in a fashion that is sufficiently detailed yet reasonable concise to address these important issues. He takes out the mystery and writes in an engaging readable style."--Joshua P. Prager, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

"Dr. Filler's text takes you from injury, through understanding and decision-making, to treatment and recovery for most common problems with the spine. In addition to giving you important knowledge about your back, it also will provide an equally important 'peace of mind.'"--Richard Fessler, University of Chicago

"Dr. Filler demonstrates the skills of a gifted communicator by carefully refining details into a succinct and relevant script."--James Byrne, University of Oxford

"This is the first book that bridges the gap between a surgical textbook and an elementary lay book. Dr. Filler clearly describes the nature of back pain and treatment in a fashion that is sufficiently detailed yet reasonable concise to address these important issues. He takes out the mystery and writes in an engaging readable style."--Joshua P. Prager, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

"This excellent book should have wide appeal to a range of medical professionals and to patients...The book succeeds in its aim 'to fill a major void by providing a comprehensive and authoritative reference source to patients facing spinal surgery.' It can be recommended with confidence..."--South African Medical Journal

Product Details

352 pages; 95 halftones & line illus.; 6-1/8 x 9-1/4; ISBN13: 978-0-19-532708-3ISBN10: 0-19-532708-X

About the Author(s)