Purdue Pharma recently offered $10 to $12 billion to settle opioid claims. And while this may seem like a significant offers, the states who have been going through the court system to hold this pharmaceutical company responsible indicates that this settlement is a mere drop in the bucket when it comes to the costs that individuals, and entire cities have faced because of this drug.

In the state of Oklahoma, Johnson and Johnson has also been sued by that state’s attorney general in an attempt to fight the drug problems that are also a result of the opioid overuse epidemic. When the U.S. allows the marketing of narcotics, some lawyers argue, the nation became the first country in the world that allows this kind of marketing. As a result, lawyers point out that the narcotics marketing strategy was actually the beginning of the opioid crisis that many cities are facing.

Back Pain Treatment Options Require Careful Monitoring

The decision to have a back surgery, or any other surgery for that matter, is not always easy. In a time, in fact, when many patients find themselves dealing with pain killer addiction, it is important to be working with a doctor who is going to help you explore all of the possible options that may be available to you.

From orthopedic care leading up to a decision for surgery to physical therapy options following a procedure, as well as the pain medications that might involved in any of these stages, it is important to have an open conversation with your doctor.

Back pain treatment options are complicated and knowing that you are going to have questions that will involve your comfort level today, tomorrow, and in the future, means that it is important that you work with an orthopedic office that is willing to take the time to have as many conversations with you as needed.

Consider some of these facts and figures about the many ways that back pain treatment options and other procedures can impact the lives of many Americans:

• More than 33% of adults are considered to be obese, condition that can also lead to many problems with the back, knees, and other parts of the body.
• 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lifetimes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
• The U.S. will need about 52,000 more primary care physicians by the year 2025 to meet the nation’s healthcare needs, according to current data. Many of these doctors will be needed to help deal with back and neck pain and other kinds of limiting conditions.
• Sports medicine, hand surgery, and joint replacement are the three most common subspecialties of orthopedic surgery providers.
• As many as one in seven Americans has some form of orthopedic impairment.
• Orthopedic surgeons perform an average of 29 procedures every month.

Orthopedic centers offer a number of different treatment plans that can patients understand their back pain treatment options. Realizing that long term pain management with medication can lead to a devastating addiction is one way to make sure that you are dealing with all of the factors that may determine the success of your future life.

The latest research indicates that osteoporosis and low bone mass are a major public health threat for the 44 million Americans who are aged 50 and older. Everyone of these patients may need to make a decision about long term pain management, surgery, or therapy options. Finding the healthiest balance between all of the options that are available is easier when a doctor is willing to discuss all of the options that are available. The days of blanket pain management prescriptions are coming to an end as the nation deals with opioid addiction numbers that are overwhelming in many communities.

Back pain is a debilitating condition that can severely limit the kind of life that a person can have. It is important to remember, however, that the solution is often a careful combination of surgery, pain management, and physical or occupational therapy. No one answer is going to provide the perfect solution for any patient, so working with a doctor who will take the time to find the best option is essential.