Integrating Spine Surgery with Pain Management

Dr. Constanza Bedoya highlights a synergistic approach to lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) that integrates pain management and surgery for optimal outcomes. While conservative options like physical therapy, medication, and epidural steroid injections offer short-term relief, evidence shows minimal long-term benefit and potential complications with repeated injections. Surgical intervention—open, minimally invasive, or endoscopic—should not be delayed in severe cases to avoid poor outcomes from prolonged compression. A multidisciplinary model, combining perioperative pain management, pharmacologic strategies, and interdisciplinary planning, enhances recovery, reduces hospital stay, and improves functional scores. Ultimately, comprehensive care maximizes pain relief, mobility, and quality of life.