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When Back Pain Actually Matters: What I Ask Before Surgery

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When Back Pain Actually Matters: What I Ask Before Surgery

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Pain isn’t just about how much it hurts. It’s about what it stops you from doing. If you tell me, “My back hurts so much, but I still went to Zumba, then surfing, then work,” that’s not clinically significant back pain. But if your pain is keeping you from doing the things you love, skipping Zumba, missing surf sessions, taking too many sick days at work, that’s when it matters most. Surgery is a big deal. The key question I always ask is: If this were me or my family, would the risks be worth the potential benefits? That’s why the most helpful thing you can do as a patient is paint me a picture of your life with pain and what life could look like without it.

Medical Disclaimer: The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals. Permission has been granted by all patients in this surgical footage for filming during their procedures and sharing on social media platforms.

#backpain #medicaleducation #spinesurgeon
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