Back & Spine Care

Four out of five people will experience back pain in their lives. When yours flares up, visit UNM Health.

Our spine care team at Sandoval Regional Medical Center offer the latest techniques to ensure the fastest recovery. We focus on non-invasive treatment designed to relieve pain and get you back to your regular activities—most patients do not need surgery.

Patients visit us for a range of common and complex back and spine conditions, including:

  • Athletic injuries
  • Degenerative pain
  • Herniated discs
  • Lower back pain
  • Mechanical pain
  • Neck pain
  • Neurogenic pain
  • Radiculopathy
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spondylosis
  • Vertebral fractures

Make an Appointment

To schedule an orthopaedic appointment, call 505-272-4866.

Common Treatments

These injuries tend to be quite painful but should resolve with rest. Physical therapy may also help restore your full range of motion and nerve functionality.

Most herniated discs are not severe enough to warrant surgery. Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and physical therapy. However, if a discectomy procedure shows the condition is bad enough, surgery may be recommended.

Our main goal is to relieve your pain so you can return to former activities. Your doctor may recommend:

  • A back brace to provide extra support
  • Bed rest to take pressure off discs and nerves
  • Medications to ease pain, reduce inflammation and prevent muscle spasms
  • Physical therapy and exercises to strengthen core muscles, improve posture and prevent future back pain
  • Spinal injections for long-term pain relief

Surgery is reserved for those who do not experience relief after three months from conservative treatment. Patients who also have related bladder or bowel control issues may also require surgery.

Most cases of scoliosis do not require extensive medical treatment. However, an orthopaedic specialist may recommend a brace or spinal fusion surgery if the condition is bad enough. Surgery is viewed as a last resort and is typically used only in severe cases.

Spine fractures often require a surgical procedure such as kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty. Our spinal surgeons will determine what course of action is best based on exams and imaging (x-rays, MRIs, etc.).

The spinal team at SRMC includes neurosurgeons and physiatrists who work together to determine the best treatment options. 

Physiatrists specialize in physical medicine, rehabilitation and non-narcotic pain medicine. Their non-surgical approach is based on treating the body’s musculoskeletal system to deal with disease and injury. 

Neurosurgeons perform cutting-edge procedures including the endoscopically guided laser spine technique. This minimally invasive procedure shortens recovery time with minimal scarring.