I've Got Your Back

A prominent surgeon and a veteran health writer deliver an authoritative and plain-spoken guide to what back surgery can and can't do. It tells the behind-the-scenes story of back pain, back doctors, and back treatments-a story that is rarely delivered so candidly to patients. It arms you with the information and the courage to ask the right doctors the right questions so that you can make the right decisions. The basics of spines-so you can talk to any doctor knowledgeably, The truth about back pain-so you can understand what your diagnosis really means, Emergencies-so you know when your condition requires timely action, The types of surgery-so you know which surgery might (or might not) work for you, The nonsurgical choices-so you know your alternatives, The risks of surgery-so you know what you're getting into. With case studies, clinical evidence, and an honest look at the doctors' debates that patients seldom hear, I've Got Your Back is the insider's guide to navigating the world of back pain. Book jacket.