Do You Really Need Back Surgery?: A Surgeon's Guide to Neck and Back Pain and How to Choose Your Treatment (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Perhaps the least glamorous aspect of the shared human experience is the episode of severe immobilizing back pain..." (more)
Key Phrases: intradiscal electrothermy, preemptive anesthesia, lateral mass screws, United States, Atlas of Human Anatomy, Frank Netter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

Product 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; the difference between acute, chronic, and recurring pain; shows how to keep the spine healthy; and explains 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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 357 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195158350
• ISBN-13: 978-0195158359
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #187,506 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a valuable reference book, August 31, 2004

By	BookReview.com (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Do you eat, sleep, breathe, walk, or sit? If you answered yes to any of the questions mentioned, then you need to read, Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, by Dr. Aaron Filler.

Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, is one of the most revolutionary, pertinent, and easy to use medical tools for the average person, that is available on the market today. Dr. Filler cleverly divides the book into two parts. The first deals with Maintaining, improving, and trouble shooting, spinal health. Humorous anecdotes pepper the pages and help illustrate, to the average person, practical and applicable plans for injury detection and prevention. Filler, gives readers insight into yoga, meditation, and other alternative/supportive techniques, right along side revolutionary medical industry advances, and the latest in ergonomics. Beautiful, easy to read and understand charts, clearly explain side effects of commonly used pain medications. My only complaint with part one, is Dr. Filler's painfully short references to Chiropractic care.

The second installment of Dr. Filler's, Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, quite literally covers the nuts and bolts of surgery and treatments. The second section discusses surgery and post operative periods at length, while it answers practical questions that someone facing surgery may have and may be afraid to ask. An extra added bonus is a section on insurances and diagnostic (ICD-9) coding.

As a medical professional I appreciated its thoroughness. As a patient suffering from back pain, I appreciated its frankness. Without a doubt, Do You Really Need Back Surgery?, is a valuable reference book that should be on bookshelves from libraries and medical schools, to the average home.

Review by Kate St.Amour of BookReview.com.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Read ... Thorough Information, September 16, 2005

By	Carol A. Surabian (Mashpee, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am facing major back surgery soon and this book was invaluable...it provided me with a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the spine and the details of the surgery which I will have. It is easy for a layman to understand and you can skip to the chapters that are appropriate for your particular ailment. I have already recommended it to two of my friends who also have severe back problems. It should be on the "MUST READ" list of anyone who has a back problem, no matter how large or small.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Spine Surgery/Intervention For Patients, January 3, 2008

By	Culture Thinker (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Do You Really Need Back Surgery?: A Surgeon's Guide to Back and Neck Pain and How to Choose Your Treatment (Paperback)

I am a physician who specializes in interventional spine procedures. I suggest this book to my more educated patients. Very good,well written overview of spine anatomy,physiology,and repair. Another reviewer suggested that there is not enough info in this book on disk replacement technology and kyphoplasty. My response is that understanding everything in this book will put you ahead of 99% of laypeople. This is not meant to be a textbook on cutting edge medical procedures.

I especially enjoyed the section on understanding health insurance. I have found the "Dummies" and "Idiots" books useless in helping patients understand back problems. Five stars.