Spinal Surgery
It is used to prevent or limit the movement between two bones in your spine when other procedures have not succeededSpinal fusion surgery connects two or more bones in your spine to stop any abnormal movement of these bones, which alleviates pain.
A small piece of bone (graft) or bone-like material is placed between the vertebrae to stabilize the spine, and metal plates, screws, or rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together until new bone grows between them. The process encourages growing together and fills in the gap where the vertebrae are not working as intended, which allows them to become one strong bone. Generally, spine surgery is only after the exact site of pain has been determined through imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
It limits motion between the vertebrae, and thereby able to prevent nerve stretching, ligament stretching as well as muscle strain. This becomes an option when moving worsens pain in arthritic or unstable areas of the spine due to injury, disease or aging. The concept was that by immobilizing painful vertebrae you would reduce pain.
If you have leg or arm pain as well as back pain, your surgeon may prescribe a decompression operation, such as laminectomy, to facilitate the removal of bone and disease tissues that can press on spinal nerves.
Although fusion does limit how much your spine can flex forward increase, most fusion surgery involves only small amounts of the spinal column and should have very little effect on range of motion.
What to Expect at Home
The patient goes a quick recovery after discectomy. Nevertheless, localized pain, numbness or weakness in the area served by the impinged nerve may remain after surgery. The good news is, those symptoms usually get better within a week or 2.
By comparison, laminectomy or fusion surgery has a more prolonged recovery period. Again restituting in regular activities is time-consuming, and for example, it takes around a minimum of 3 to 4 months. This allows the bones time to heal after surgery, with continued healing potentially over one year.
The amount of time a young person is likely to be off work following their spinal fusion is usually 4 to 6 weeks. So…healthier people with easy jobs? Using More In Case of Older Patients or Extensive Surgical Procedures But Not Over 4 to 6 months to return to work.
The pace of recovery is also influenced by the severity of your condition prior to surgery.
Common Types of Spinal Surgery:
Spinal Fusion:
This is the most common spinal surgery. Here, two or more vertebrae are permanently joined to end motion between them and stabilize the spine.
This surgical procedure is often done for spinal instability, severe arthritis, or scoliosis.
Metal rods, screws, or bone grafts are used for fusing the bones.
Discectomy:
It is the surgical removal of part or the entire herniated or damaged disc that is pressing against the nerve, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
The procedure can be done as a microdiscectomy-a microscope-assisted less invasive procedure-or an open discectomy.
Laminectomy:
It is the removal of part of the vertebra called the lamina with the intention of relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Commonly applied in cases of spinal stenosis wherein the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves.
Foraminotomy:
This surgery enlarges the hole which the spinal nerve exits the vertebral column or a thus helps in relieving the stress built on the nerve. It usually occurs at the points where nerves are squeezed-for example when there are bone spurs or herniated discs. Disc
Replacement:
On this technique, an artificial disc replaced a damaged or degenerative disc in order to retain flexibility and motion of the spine.
An alternative to spinal fusion in some conditions, kyphoplasty might be used for lower back (lumbar) or neck (cervical) disc issues.
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty:
Both are minimally invasive surgical interventions aimed at stabilizing vertebral compression fractures, often resulting from osteoporosis. In Vertebroplasty, the bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra.
Kyphoplasty adds a balloon-inflation step to restore the collapsed height of the vertebra before cement is injected.
Spinal Decompression:
This is surgical intervention that aims at reducing the pressure exerted on the spinal cord or nerves caused by herniated discs, bone spurs, or other type of spinal stenosis.
The scoliosis surgery may include laminectomy for reduction in curvature, foraminotomy to eliminate the bone spurs, and discectomy to remove part of the disc.
Spinal surgical corrections for abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis). These types are usually accompanied by fusion of the spinal column in order to straighten and stabilize it with rods, screws, and bone grafts.
Conditions That May Require Spinal Surgery:
- Herniated disc: When a spinal disc bulges out and presses on nerves, causing pain or weakness.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, often leading to nerve compression.
- Scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine.
- Spinal fractures: From trauma, osteoporosis, or tumors.
- Degenerative disc disease: Discs between vertebrae wear down over time, causing pain and instability.
- Sciatica: Severe pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, often due to a herniated disc.
- Spinal tumors: Benign or malignant growths in the spinal column or cord.
- Infections or abscesses: In or around the spine that require surgical intervention.
Recovery from Spinal Surgery:
- Hospital Stay: Depending on the type of surgery, hospital stays can range from same-day discharge (for minimally invasive procedures) to several days.
- Pain Management: Postoperative pain is managed with medications, and gradual physical activity is encouraged to promote recovery.
- Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation is often necessary to restore strength and mobility. Physical therapy plays a critical role in recovery, especially for spinal fusion or disc replacement surgeries.
- Full Recovery: Recovery times vary depending on the surgery type. Minimally invasive surgeries may allow patients to return to normal activities within weeks, while more extensive surgeries (e.g., spinal fusion) may require several months for full recovery.
Best spine surgeon in nagpur
Dr. Ritesh Nawkhare is one of the distinguished few neurosurgeons in India who has a special inclination towards spinal problems. That commitment comes from his extraordinary success with both surgical and non-surgical spinal disorders. Well known Neurosurgery Associates in Nagpur, Ohio specialized for cranial,cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrum. Also for all age groups, peripheral nerve conditions. To provide successful outcomes, we adhere to rigorous standards of quality of care, medical skills, equipment and facilities. If you have any query or question that is not answere in the below FAQs then simply contact us through this page, Contact Us and by making Appointment.