The focus is on a detailed medical history
and a detailed physical examination.
Examination
An examination of the entire back is carried out in each individual section with special tests to differentiate between a harmless blockage and a nerve problem.
X-rays
are used to detect bony and tissue changes.
MRI
In the case ofchronic back pain that may indicate nerve damage (pain radiating to the legs), a magnetic resonance imaging examination is often carried out.
Depending on the cause, we treat conservatively using an individual therapy plan: We distinguish between compensated pain and decompensated pain.
For compensated pain:
(i.e. you are not completely pain-free, but you can live well with the clinical picture.)
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Sport
For decompensated pain:
(i.e. you suffer from severe pain.)
- Oral medication
- Neural therapy injections
- Paravertebral infiltration
- Infiltration with cortisone
- Facet joint infiltrations with triamcinolone
- Infiltration with ACP
Further details on the treatments can be found below.
For pain (you are not completely pain-free but can live well with the clinical picture)
Physiotherapy
totreat muscular imbalances
Acupuncture
Treatmentof chronic pain
Sport
Regenerativesporting activities and basic fitness supplemented by home training
For DECOMPENSATED pain (you are suffering from severe pain)
Oral medication
with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or etoricoxib for 4-5 days and muscle relaxants such as methocarbamol
If the pain is resistant to therapy, we occasionally use oral cortisone shock therapy with Decortin for a week. As a last resort therapy, we use prednisolone 20 mg for 6 weeks under internal medical supervision.
Neural therapy injections
Paravertebral infiltration with Carbostesin, Vit. B12 and Traumeel. Local trigger point treatments and whealings.
Infiltration with cortisone
Facet joint infiltrations with triamcinolone
Infiltration with ACP
There is increasing evidence that infiltration of the facet joints with autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) can have a beneficial effect on joint degeneration.
In most cases of sciatica, where there is pressure on the nerve, physiotherapy with acupuncture and infiltrations twice a week with appropriate medication is necessary.
We carry this out over a period of 4-6 weeks to calm the nerve, relax the corresponding muscles and then strengthen them again.
As a rule, treatment is carried out 2-3 times a week. Depending on the measure, the treatments last between 10 minutes and an hour.
How long does the treatment last?
The effect often lasts for many months. The aim of the treatment is to achieve a pain-free phase for as long as possible.
After weeks.
In the compensated stage, chronic back pain can only occur occasionally and allow regular everyday strain as well as adapted sport or even make it necessary as a preventative measure. As a patient, you must learn to understand your clinical picture in order to avoid undue strain.
The injections are somewhat unpleasant, but often provide significant pain relief afterwards. Many of our patients have completed the treatments with ease.
Both hyaluronic acid and ACP are the body's own substances, and ACP even uses the body's own blood. This is why side effects hardly ever occur.
We avoid the risk of infection from an injection into a joint by disinfecting extremely thoroughly, e.g. we use the same disinfectant that is used for disinfection during operations. This is a very costly disinfection process, but we want to ensure maximum safety for our patients.
Many years ago, autologous blood therapy was also used to treat chronic wounds, so the risk of infections, which are very rare anyway, is significantly lower.
Acupuncture, cortisone injections and physiotherapy are covered by all health insurance companies. Specific injection therapies are only covered privately.
As ACP is still a new treatment method and is still being researched, unfortunately not all private health insurance companies cover the treatment costs. As several studies have proven the effectiveness of ACP, we therefore recommend that you ask your health insurance provider in advance whether they will cover the treatment. Our entire team will be happy to assist you with applications for your insurance with an additional letter from us. Reference is also made here to the latest literature, which can also be provided in written form at any time.
Our primary aim is always to offer you the best possible treatment and never to withhold options from you.
Of course, you can also cover the costs of osteoarthritis treatment yourself. We will be happy to draw up a treatment plan for you in advance.
Surgical therapies are almost always only carried out if the pain can no longer be controlled or if neurological disorders and deficits occur.
In the event of surgery, how long do you have to take it easy?
For minimally invasive procedures, 3 months of rest may be sufficient; for open procedures with decompression and spondylodesis, this period can be up to 1 year.
Driving a car is rarely at risk, but sporting activities that are associated with spinal sprains should certainly be viewed critically. This includes all jumping disciplines such as trampolining and high jumping, as well as ball sports such as handball and basketball.
However, the ability to bear weight also depends on the surgical procedure :
In surgical therapy, either microsurgery or open surgery is used to perform decompression with subsequent stabilization by spondylodesis. After an open procedure, the recovery time is usually longer and can take up to a year.
When can you move again without restrictions?
Whenyou are completely free of symptoms.
