Surgery saves lives every single day, but it should never be used as the only medical response to a health problem. The truth is that surgery often presents more risks than benefits when used for joint and spine issues. Non-invasive treatment options do exist that are safer and even more effective than surgery, especially in the light of the following risks of joint surgery.
Joint Surgery Rarely Solves the Problem
Joint problems are incredibly common, but there is very limited information available regarding the long-term outcomes of joint surgery. In fact, a study of 200 patients with knee or hip replacements recently found that only half of the patients reported improvement to their condition after surgery. In addition to this inefficiency, some joint and spine surgeries do not actually slow down or reverse the underlying cause of damage, which leaves the patient vulnerable to future degradation and injury.. Knee surgeries to repair meniscal tears, for example, do not slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
Spine Surgery Isn’t Backed By the Numbers
Spine surgery is incredibly difficult and risky, and it isn’t even backed by evidence of efficiency. Up to 40 percent of spinal surgeries fail, which means that almost half of patients will not experience improvement to their condition or pain levels, yet they will open themselves to the risks of spinal surgery. Even worse, lumbar spine fusion, which is the most popular surgery to address chronic back pain and disc degeneration, has failed to consistently prove its efficiency in clinical trials.
The Side Effects Are Downright Scary
All surgeries carry the risk of side effects, and in life-saving situations those side effects are often worth enduring for the opportunity to continue living. But when it comes to joint and spine conditions, surgery can aggravate existing problems and make the body vulnerable to nerve damage, paralysis, increased discomfort, infection, and bleeding. There has to be a better way, right?
Regenerative treatment is an innovative and state-of-the-art option that serves as an alternative to risky surgery. It uses the body’s own healing powers to restore function in damaged joints or spine discs. This means that regenerative medicine can address orthopedic problems at their root cause, decrease pain, and increase range of motion.
RegenaJoint and RegenaSpine are regenerative treatments that combine stem cells, platelets, and growth factors and inject them directly into the affected structures and tissues in the body with the help of ultrasound or X-ray guidance. One treatment only takes about an hour from start to finish, and you can return to your normal activities immediately! Call Regenerative Orthopedic Institute to learn more and make your appointment. Why put yourself through a risky and painful surgery if a better option exists? Call (813) 868-1659 to get started.