Diagnoses and treatments

Chronic back/neck pain have increased enormously during the last few decades and is one of the primary reasons cited for sick leave. There are many reasons for this, which is why diagnosis is difficult and multi-faceted.

Back pain may be due to a number of factors. Serious problems (e.g. tumours, scoliosis and infections) are usually detected during routine examinations and x-ray procedures. However, these only constitute a very small fraction of spinal ailments. More common diagnoses are herniated discs and spinal stenosis. Chronic back/neck pain have increased enormously during the last few decades and is one of the primary reasons cited for sick leave. There are many reasons for this, which is why diagnosis is difficult and multi-faceted. Far from all people actually show signs of physical injury. Back pain is also caused by stress and trauma. Patients whose diagnosis is deemed unsuitable for surgery can have access to Stockholm Spine Center's rehabilitation teams where they are assessed and treated by a number of specialists, including spinal surgeons, rehab physicians, counsellors, physiotherapists, chiropractors and psychologists.

Most operations are lumbar operations, i.e. in the lower part of the back. A smaller proportion of procedures are carried out on the cervical vertebrae. In terms of cervical vertebrae operations, almost all private procedures in Sweden are carried out at Global Health Partner's Spine Centers (Swedish Spine Register, www.4s.nu).