Back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States, and it becomes even more common as people age. According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. If you are one of the many people dealing with back pain, don’t worry – there is hope! This blog post will discuss the Premia Spine TOPS system and how it can help you overcome lower back issues at age 50+.
1 Prevalence
If you are struggling with back pain, chances are you aren’t alone. Back problems are among patients’ most frequent complaints to their doctors.
- Nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain.
- Some 16 million adults — 8 percent of all adults — experience persistent or chronic back pain and, as a result, are limited in certain everyday activities.
- Back pain is the sixth most costly condition in the United States.
- Health care costs and indirect costs due to back pain are over $12 billion per year.
2 Causes
There are many different reasons one might be experiencing back pain. The most common causes of back pain are:
Muscle or ligament strain
Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you’re in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back can cause painful muscle spasms.
Bulging or ruptured disks
Disks act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. When these disks become damaged or worn, they can bulge or rupture and press on nearby nerves, causing pain.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. In some cases, arthritis can affect the spine, leading to back pain.
Sclerosis
Sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system abnormally attacks the nervous system (including nerves of the spine) and causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
Osteoporosis or Osteopenia
This condition occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough bone or when the bones lose density and become brittle. This can make your spine more susceptible to fractures.
3 Treatment
There are many different treatments for back pain, but what works for one person may not work for another. The most important thing is to find a treatment that helps you manage your pain and allows you to live life.
Some of the most common treatments for back pain include:
Rest
When you’re in pain, resting is often the best thing you can do. Take a day off from work or school, and relax in a comfortable position: ice packs or cold therapy.
Applying ice packs to your lower back for 15-20 minutes every four hours can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Heat therapy
Applying heat to your lower back using heating pads or a warm bath for 15-20 minutes every two hours may also help relieve back pain, especially if you have arthritis or osteoporosis/osteopenia.
Exercise
Many people find that exercise helps relieve their back pain. But you should always consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
Medication
If your back pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage the pain.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve back pain.
4 Premia Spine TOPS system
If you’re looking at ways to overcome back pain, then Premia Spine TOPS™ System is something to look into.
The Premia Spine TOPS™ System is a next-generation interspinous process decompression system that empowers spine surgeons to treat lumbar spinal stenosis without the risks and complications of fusion.
It treats patients through percutaneous insertion with no need for extensive tissue retraction or muscle stripping, all while reducing the operating time by nearly 60% versus other well-known interspinous spacer procedures.
5 Procedure
Premia Spine TOPS™ is a minimally invasive procedure requiring only a small incision, bone removal, and fusion. It has been shown to improve the quality of life in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis by controlling pain and improving mobility.
The procedure uses a small implant, called the TOPS™ Spacer, inserted between the vertebrae’s spinous processes. This implant helps open up the space around the spinal cord and relieve pressure on the nerves.
6 Post-Surgery
Following the process of TOPS™, you already have a range of motion, but you may feel some soreness or pain. Your doctor will likely prescribe a short course of physical therapy to help you regain strength and mobility so that the incision site can heal properly.
TOPS™ Surgery is one option for treatment if your back pain has not responded well to other treatments such as over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, or surgery.
7 Benefits
Many of the benefits of the TOPS™ Surgery include:
- Less invasive than other surgeries for spinal stenosis
- The top-rated interspinous spacer device in Europe (since 2011) and more than 20,000 implants worldwide
- No fusion of vertebrae means no increased risk of adjacent segment disease or degeneration.
- Patients typically experience fast recovery and return to daily activities.
- It is suitable for osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) patients.
- No bone removal means no increased risk of infection, injury to adjacent structures, and minimal blood loss.
- The implant is made from a durable medical-grade polymer which has been shown to have a low wear rate.
Summary
In conclusion, if you suffer from lower back issues at age 50+, the Premia Spine TOPS system may be a good option. This minimally invasive procedure can help control pain and improve mobility, all while reducing the risks associated with traditional surgery. Talk to your doctor to see if this is the proper treatment for you. Back pain is normal in people over 50 years old and can be caused by many different things, including arthritis or osteoporosis/osteopenia.
There are several ways to relieve back pain, such as taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen every four hours, applying heat therapy for 15-20 minutes every two hours, and stretching three times per day. However, these methods don’t always work and can cause side effects if used too often. For example, if you are experiencing chronic back pain which has not responded well to other treatments, check out Premia Spine TOPS System today!
