Can patients return to activities following spine surgery?

If you find yourself asking if you can get back to your favorite hobbies after a back or neck surgery, take some advice from us.

In short, you absolutely can.

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) develops your very own unique treatment plan that’s designed to get you back in action while feeling better than ever. Typically, it will take a couple of weeks of healing time and a dose of physical therapy before you can jump back in, but DISC surgeon Dr. Justin Field and other DISC surgeons want you to be able to get back to doing what you love. And he should know, as an avid participator in martial arts, Dr. Field knows the value of extracurricular activities.

Dr. Field has done jiu-jitsu for six years and understands the importance of finding community outside of work as well.

He was introduced to the hobby when he and his son joined some friends at a gym. He put on a gi and was hooked.

Like many hobbies, injuries happen. Dr. Field said many patients he treats can be treated with more simple measures like rest.

“I have people who come to me and see me in the clinic for their different ailments and most of the time we are able to treat it with conservative measures like a little rest and a little introspection from that individual,” Dr. Field said.

A board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Field has specialized training in minimally invasive spine surgery and motion-sparing technologies, such as cervical and lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement, as well as non-fusion stabilization when surgery is indicated to get back to full speed.

The surgeons at DISC are committed to finding the least invasive treatment for your back and neck. Some of the most common back injuries are herniated discs, lumbar strains and spondylosis, otherwise known as osteoarthritis in the spine.

DISC will provide you with an accurate diagnosis from one of its board-certified orthopedic surgeons. DISC surgeons use a technique called Personal Pain Diagnostics to diagnose and treat the specific area where your pain is coming from.

DISC is a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) and ultra-minimally invasive spine surgery (Ultra MIS) such as Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

Compared to traditional spinal surgery, MIS minimizes blood loss and collateral damage to muscles, soft tissue and ligament attachments.

Other benefits include less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stays and a quicker recovery.

MIS can help you achieve a faster return so you can get back to your daily outdoor activities in no time.

There is a protocol for getting you back on the mat, on the field, on the court, or wherever an injury has taken you away from. With some physical therapy a month to two months after surgery — depending on the scope of your injury as a fusion for example can take three or four months — you can be back out doing what you love after having spine surgery.

DISC has five locations across the Valley — in Phoenix, Gilbert (East Valley), Glendale (West Valley), and Scottsdale and Squaw Peak. Our expert spine surgeons have more than 50 years of collective patient-care experience.

Leave the waiting rooms behind, as you can also meet with one of our specialists from the comfort of your own home.

To book an appointment, call (602) 944-2900 or go to www.sciatica.com.

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