Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warrior, still experiences pain and nausea after his spine surgery in the fall of 2015. According to NBC Bay area: “If you have a back problem, stay away from surgery.” Kerr expressed deep regret to the news reporters. Unfortunately, Kerr’s surgery has led to the leakage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), which causes him more pain than ever. He also suggests that “rehab rehab rehab” is the way to go. Dr. Robert G. Aptekar, an orthopedic surgeon from Stanford Medical Center, agrees with Kerr on this point, “spine surgery is not generally recommended if the problem can be solved with less invasive methods such as oral medicine or pain-killers. But sometimes surgery is the best option.”
The doctors at the Orthohealing Center are not opposed to surgery. However, in regards to spine, it should be the last resort when conservative efforts fail. Our facility is leading research into new ways to treat neck and lower back pain including injecting platelet rich plasma (PRP) or bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) into injured discs and joints or nerves. More natural based treatments and research studies are needed for common injuries in the neck and back.
