Back Surgery - More Than Just Technique
Mario Zotti
Tens of thousands of people undergo back surgery in Australia each year, but according to a Gold Coast Private surgeon 'tools, technology and technique' are only part of the equation if you want a good outcome.
Assistant Professor Mario Zotti believes patient engagement, accurate diagnosis, health optimisation and careful surgical planning must combine to ensure patients get the best result.
"It starts with diagnosis and you need to really get to know and listen to your patient to ensure you get it right," he said.
"A thorough understanding of the body and access to the latest diagnostic technology is imperative, as poor surgical outcomes are often from an inaccurate diagnosis.
"Not everyone presents with pain according to a textbook but there are several patterns that recur and in most cases, you can diagnose the source - which is why I dislike the term 'non-specific lower back pain'.
"If you misunderstand the pain, you don't know what you're treating and you don't get the right result. It’s like throwing darts at a board blindfolded."
Dr Zotti said to ensure he remained ahead of the game, he was heavily involved in research and evaluating new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
"Magnetic Resonance (MR) Spectroscopy will be a game changer. It will fill the gaps left by MRI in isolation so we can make more accurate and informed decisions," he said.
Dr Zotti said once an accurate diagnosis was established, treatment first focused on non-surgical methods and holistic patient wellbeing.
"There's a vast number of conservative treatments we begin with, both passive and active, and only once the patient has attempted all of these methods without success do we consider surgery," he said.
"In this pre-op phase I work with the patient to optimise them for surgery, ensuring they are in the best possible physical and mental condition, giving them the best chance of success.
"This includes looking at everything from nutrition and weight, to their strength and flexibility as well as their mood and emotional state."
Dr Zotti has a special interest in multifidus muscles, which are attached to the spinal column, and believes the health of these muscles plays an important role in successful spinal surgery. He has published several research papers on multifidus, two of which have been awarded.
"Almost everyone who comes to see me has weakness in their multifidus and most have maladapted movements related to this issue," said Dr Zotti.
"I focus on these muscles both pre-and-post surgery as the way they function has an enormous impact on the results of spinal surgery; and in some cases, on whether surgery is even necessary as it can sometimes be avoided by treating and strengthening these muscles."
Dr Zotti said if surgery was required, he had been an early adapter of advanced planning techniques, including anticipating poor bone quality and preparing for this pre-operatively. He said he also used EOS scanning to determine the type and shape of the spine for better surgical precision.
For more information please contact:
Dr Mario Zotti
Pacific Private Clinic
123 Nerang Street, Southport, Qld, 4215
P: 1300 399 223
F: 07 3041 5087
E: admin@ocgc.com.au
W: https://orthoclinics.com.au/