Spine Centers of America Endoscopic Spine Surgery Ends Back Pain for NJ Car Accident Victim

FAIR LAWN, NJ--(Marketwire - Sep 19, 2011) - In June of 2010, Lodi resident Joyce Mack underwent a discectomy, a minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery, at Spine Centers of America (SCA) in Fair Lawn, NJ, and was finally pain-free for the first time in nine months after she was rear-ended in car crash and suffered a herniated disc. Dr. Bryan Massoud, a board-certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and founder of Spine Centers of America, says that endoscopic spine surgery is becoming the preferred option over traditional open spine surgery for many patients who have radiculitis and back pain from accidents, heavy lifting, sports, etc.

"Just as surgeons perform appendectomies and other procedures with an endoscope rather than opening a large incision, specially trained spine surgeons use advanced technology and equipment to correct spine conditions, such as herniated discs, without having to cut the surrounding tissue and bone to reach the target area," Massoud noted. "It's the equivalent of having your plumber come in through the front door rather than tearing off the roof to get access for repairs."

Although Mack had previous back problems, the accident aggravated the condition, causing constant back pain. She experienced radiculitis, numbness down her left leg, spasms in her lower back and other common symptoms associated with a herniated disk. She was unable to drive long distances, go up and down stairs or return to her normal workout routine. Mack couldn't even sit for any length of time -- a problem that threatened her ability to work her job as a switchboard operator. Desperate for relief, she tried a number of pain management techniques, including medication, and underwent eight months of physical therapy.

Fortunately, Mack found Dr. Bryan J. Massoud, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at Spine Centers of America. "After I saw that our company president's wife was making Thanksgiving dinner within a week after having endoscopic surgery at SCA, I decided to have a consultation," explains Mack. "Now I'm the poster child for this procedure. I wish I had done it sooner instead of wasting nine months in pain."

According to Mack, she experienced instant relief. "I came home the day of surgery, took a short nap and woke up with no soreness, feeling the best I've been in years," says Mack. "I didn't even need any pain meds." She was back at work in three days -- totally pain free.

Today, Mack no longer needs physical therapy or medication for back pain and returned to her workout routine at the gym within three weeks, after a follow-up visit with Dr. Massoud. "I appreciated the fact that my actual surgeon met with me at my follow-up appointment to see how I was doing and ensure that everything was as it should be," she said. "I forget I even had the surgery now," jokes Mack. "The incision is so tiny, I don't have any back pain and I'm no longer crooked."

Minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery procedures may be the answer even when other methods fail, says Massoud, who has performed thousands of such procedures.

"Endoscopic spine surgery is a safe, proven treatment for many back conditions that don't respond to conservative treatment," Massoud stated. "Parents, Baby Boomers, athletes and others can't afford to suspend their lives for months to recover from traditional open back surgery and they don't have to live with the pain. Whether you're a professional athlete or simply want to resume everyday tasks like walking or going to work, I've seen ESS completely change lives after finally relieving chronic back pain."

In an endoscopic approach, there is far less damage to surrounding tissue and nerves because only a pea-sized incision is needed. Small burrs and other instruments remove the problematic disc fragments without destabilizing the disc, which would otherwise require fusion. The outpatient procedure enables patients to walk immediately after surgery and return home the same day. The incision can be covered by a Band-Aid. Recovery is complete within two weeks, rather than the several months required for traditional spine surgery, with patients resuming driving and most normal activities within days.

Video of Joyce talking about her surgery is available at: http://www.spinecentersofamerica.com/testimonials.html

About Spine Centers of America:
Spine Centers of America offers the newest techniques in endoscopic spine surgery always performed by board certified spine surgeons. Considered a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery, SCA's founder Dr. Bryan J. Massoud is among the most experienced Board certified orthopedic spine surgeons performing endoscopic laser spine procedures in the country. Recognized as an expert by his peers, Dr. Massoud instructs orthopedic residents and colleagues in endoscopic techniques. Visit SpineCentersOfAmerica.com or call 877 722 6008.