Back Pain

Affecting 4 out of every 5 Americans, back pain is the most common and costly problem in orthopedics. While back pain resolves on its own over time for many people, not everyone is so lucky. At his offices in Beverly Hills and the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopedic surgeon Robert H. Cho, MD, provides treatment for bothersome back pain. He performs thorough evaluations to find and treat the root cause of your back pain so you get long-term relief. Call the nearest office or request an appointment online today. 

What is back pain?

Back pain is a common condition that causes a wide range of symptoms. You may develop back pain after a bad fall or lifting something that’s too heavy. Back pain may also develop over time from degenerative changes that occur in your spine as you get older.

For most people, back pain is an acute problem that resolves within a few days or a few weeks. Some people develop chronic back pain, which is pain that lasts three or more months.

No matter the severity, longevity, or cause of your back pain, Dr. Cho can help. 

What are common causes of back pain?

There are many conditions that cause back pain. Some of the most common include:

• Arthritis
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Traumatic injury
• Spinal deformities
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoporosis
• Compression fractures
• Strains and sprains

Sometimes back pain develops without a specific cause. 

What can I expect during a back pain evaluation?

You can expect a thorough exam from Dr. Cho when you come in seeking help for your back pain. 

He takes a patient-centered approach to care and focuses on finding the root cause of your discomfort so he can develop a plan that relieves your pain and restores your life.

Dr. Cho asks detailed questions about your back pain, including the type of discomfort you feel, when it started, how it’s changed over time, and the activities that make your pain worse or better.

He performs a physical exam and runs diagnostic tests, such as blood work, X-rays, or MRIs, to identify the root cause of your back pain.

How is back pain treated?

Treatment for your back pain depends on the underlying cause, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health. Initially, Dr. Cho takes a conservative approach to care and recommends:

• Limiting rest to no more than two days
• Exercise program
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Medication
• Injections

When conservative measures fail to provide significant relief from your back pain, Dr. Cho may recommend spine surgery.

He may use minimally invasive techniques to treat your spine problem. These can include microdiscectomy for a herniated disc, decompression for spinal stenosis, and lumbar fusion for spondylolisthesis. 

There’s no reason you need to suffer from back pain. Call the nearest office of Robert H. Cho, MD, or request a consultation online today.