by Stacy on April 18, 2010
There are various conditions that would require the spinal disc surgery. That includes spinal stenosis for one. This condition is one that affects people of all ages but which is most prevalent among men and women over the age of 50. It is most linked with age because it involves a narrowing of the patient’s spine, which most often is caused by wear and tear to the bones that make up their spine.
Most people who develop this condition inherit it in their genes. If your parent or grandparent dealt with it then you are that much more likely to develop it yourself. It most often is the result of a degenerative aging process. Tumors of the spine, trauma and Paget’s disease of bone are all other common causes of spinal stenosis.
Spinal disc surgery is an operation of the spine that can help patients suffering from this condition. Back surgery always is a very serious and delicate surgery so of course it is only reserved for cases where there are no other options. Doctors must weigh out the risks versus benefits and determine whether back surgery will be the best option for a person with this condition, a herniated disc, bulging disc or any other related problem.
Especially considering that it is mostly older patients going through with the surgery this is even more reason for careful thought to go into the decision.
Doctors consider the spinal disc surgery as being minimally invasive and most patients report a marked improvement afterwards. A patient is put under general anesthesia during this procedure, which means they are put in a state of total unconsciousness. Surgeons go into the patient’s back using an endoscope with a tiny camera and a television screen.
This allows them to get a much better view of what they are doing to ensure they do exactly what they need to and that there are no mistakes. The goal of surgery here is to help relieve pressure and ease the pain. Patients must realize however that even with a successful surgery this is not going to be able to prevent the problem from returning.
Spinal stenosis can return even after surgery goes through perfectly. Another problem is that a lot of patients actually report feeling even more pain after the surgery. This can happen because the main purpose of the surgery is to ease pain but even more so to maintain the overall health of the spine. Doctors are looking at things in the long-term picture and aim for the best permanent results.
For patients who are experiencing a great deal of pain afterwards they may be put on medication to help relieve their pain. For the best results, anyone with spinal stenosis should not only be concerned with surgery but also with starting on a pain control program. Doing everything you can after surgery is crucial in hopes of preventing the problem from recurring.
Follow a nutritious diet and maintain an ideal weight, as this will prevent unnecessary pressure from being put on the spinal bones. Exercising regularly will help you achieve a proper weight and will also work out your heart and lungs and build the muscles in your back.
by Stacy on April 18, 2010
The spine is a very important part of our body, as it holds and protects the nerves and nerve roots for all our appendages. It is, therefore, extremely important that you take care of your spine, and if you have a problem, seek medical care.
The spine is made up of vertebrae cushioned by discs, which have a tough outer layer and a soft inner layer. The discs not only help to hold the vertebrae in place, they also act like a spring absorbing shock, and they allow your vertebrae to do a bending motion. When these discs are injured, the soft part can be pushed out into the spinal canal, irritating or even pinching a nerve. This can cause pain and limit your motion, not only in your back, but also in whatever part of your body those particular nerves go to.
Natural aging causes some disc injuries, when the discs lose their water content so they are less flexible and tear or rupture easier, but some are due to accidents or just extra strenuous activities. The most common symptoms for an injured disc is pain, numbness and weakness, which can be in a leg or arm as well as the back, although, you may have no symptoms whatsoever.
A herniated disc, which is also known as a bulging disc, has a good record of responding well to the conservative treatment of rest and limiting physical activity, if that does not work, however, the laser spine surgery is great alternative to the traditional spinal surgery. Laser spine surgery (LSS) requires less hospital time, less anesthesia and is less invasive than the traditional ones.
There are several different kinds of spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal cord causing the pinching of the nerves, which in turn leads to pain in the buttocks, decreased physical activity, and a lack of feeling in your legs. Your doctor will want to check your medical history, give you a physical examination focusing on the amount of pain and movement you have in the affected area, and one or more of the following tests: myelogram, bone scan, MRI or CAT. The conservative treatment for this is rest, supportive devices, such as a brace, physical therapy and pain medication, which is usually tried first unless there is severe progressive nerve involvement. If this does not work and the patient is in good health, but the pain or weakness in their legs limits their ability to stand or walk, your surgical options are various surgeries to take care of it.
The decompressive laminectomy is the most common and requires an incision of three to five inches in your back to remove the roof of the vertebrae and all the materials compressing the nerve. The hospital stay is usually one to three days; however, physical activity cannot be performed for several weeks. The difference between the laminectomy and laminotomy is how much of the roof of the vertebrae is removed. The foraminotomy alleviates the pinching of the spinal root nerve by removing some of the bone around the foramin. This procedure is usually performed along with the laminectomy. The spinal fusion uses pieces of bone, screws and rods to connect two vertebrae together, thus stopping the painful motion between them. This procedure also may be used with the laminectomy or laminotomy.
By keeping a good journal regarding your symptoms, you will be able to significantly aid your doctor in diagnosing your spinal problem. Your spine is too important to take a chance with; you have to take care of it, so that it can take care of you.
by Stacy on April 18, 2010
Spinal disc surgery usually becomes an option only after conservative treatment for back pain fails to relieve symptoms. Because back pain is often slow to resolve, most doctors recommend treating back pain symptoms for a minimum of three to six months before considering surgery.
Two of the most common causes of back pain are a herniated disc and spinal stenosis.A ruptured, or herniated, disc happens when there is a tear of the outer lining of the disc and a fragment of the disc material protrudes and pinches the surrounding nerves. When the nerve is pinched, or compressed, it can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness or bowel and bladder incontinence. If these symptoms are not relieved with conservative treatment, surgery may be able to remove the part of the disc that is protruding.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of an area of the spine, usually in the neck or lower back areas. This narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves and the nerve roots can become swollen and irritated from being compressed. Depending on where the narrowing occurs, pain can arise in the legs, back, neck, shoulder or extremities. Spinal stenosis is most often a result of age-related degeneration of the spine although there are several genetic disorders that can cause this condition. It can also occur because of a spinal tumor or traumatic injury.
There are several different types of spinal surgery that can be performed, depending upon the type and severity of the condition being treated. A microendoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove parts of a bulging disc. A microendoscopic discectomy is performed by making a small incision in the back. A small probe and camera are inserted into the back and the surgeon uses the camera to locate the problem area. Using small tools inserted into the back through the probe the surgeon removes the herniated fragments. This procedure usually takes about an hour and the patient is often able to return home on the same day as surgery.
A laminectomy is also performed to relieve symptoms from a herniated disc as well as spinal stenosis. A laminectomy is preformed to remove the lamina, which is the bony roof of the spinal canal. Removing the lamina increases the room available for the spinal cord and nerve roots and reduces the pressure on the nerves that is causing symptoms.
A laminaplasty is similar to a laminectomy. Instead of removing the lamina, however, it is hinged on one side and rolled away from the spinal cord. This procedure allows greater expansion of the spinal canal and relieves compression of the nerve roots. This procedure is usually performed in cases of severe spinal compression at multiple levels because not removing the lamina provides greater stability.
Spinal disc surgery is not an automatic cure for back pain and should only be undertaken when conservative treatments have failed to relieve symptoms. Working with your physician to understand the available treatment options will allow you to choose the best course of treatment and receive optimum results.
by Stacy on April 18, 2010
A common reason patients present with spinal pain is due to a disc problem. Disc terminology varies widely, and even among medical professionals, it may be hard to find a consensus. We have all heard the term “slipped disc”. A more accurate way of describing disc pathology is to refer to either a herniated disc or a bulging disc.
A bulge means that the annular fibers that wrap around the disc and hold it together have some tears and weakness. This will allow the jelly-like center of the disc to flow toward that weak area and push against it causing an asymmetric ballooning of the exterior fibers. This bulging can be in any direction and may actually put pressure against the sensitive spinal nerve roots as they exit your spinal canal. This is turn may cause leg or arm pain, numbness, or even weakness and loss of muscle tone.
A true disc herniation means that the annular fibers have actually ripped apart and some of the fluid center of the disc has leaked out into either the canal or the intervertebral foramen, and is again putting pressure on the nerve root or even the spinal cord itself.
If a disc lesion is suspected, the first step is appropriate imaging to determine the extent of the problem. Plain film radiographs, or x-rays, are still frequently utilized as an initial screen. They are cost effective and do provide valuable information. Unfortunately, plain films are excellent for evaluating boney structures, but they will not show the soft tissue that makes up a disc.
MRI and CT scans are two of the best ways to determine actual disc involvement. These imaging modalities will usually offer a clear view of the area in question. Occasionally a discogram may also need to be done. This is when a radioactive dye is injected into the disc while an MRI is being preformed in order to visualize the state of the disc.
Spinal stenosis is another cause of back and neck pain. Stenosis is defined as a narrowing in the spinal canal. The spinal canal is the space between the vertebra that wraps around and protects the spinal cord. Stenosis usually occurs when the discs start to degenerate and cause the formation of bone spurs that can encroach on the cord. A MRI or CT study is necessary to determine the extent of boney extrusion into the canal.
Spinal disc surgery is usually viewed as a last resort after conservative methods fail. Many patients experience relief from chiropractic care or physical therapy. Other treatments may include epidural injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or oral steroids. Sometimes a combination of several different kinds of therapies in conjunction work very well to relive pain and improve function.
Pain that is sever and debilitating, or continues without improvement for more than six weeks will probably need surgical intervention. Advances in surgical techniques have made these procedures much more successful and much safer. Many operations are now preformed as same day surgeries eliminating any hospital stays.
Make sure you ask your doctor a lot of questions. It is your spine.
by Stacy on April 18, 2010
Some of the most serious surgeries are those that involve the back and spine. Spinal disc surgery, also known as discectomy, is most often recommended when a patient has a lumber herniated disc that is causing an irritation. If the disc is causing problems with the spinal nerve root in a patient: this can have dramatic effects on their health and overall well being.
The person may experience a numbing or weakening in their toes and feet and can even become paralyzed if it is left too long without proper treatment of the bulging disc. A herniated disc can be caused by a number of things but old age is one aspect that most relates to this problem.
As a person ages, the discs which are located between the bones of their spine will actually become flatter. As a result, they are not as cushiony for the bones and once discs become too weak, they can tear. This can cause intense pain and although the pain is generally located in the legs and feet, it can affect the back and buttocks.
The spinal disc surgery is used to remove a herniated disc. The surgery can be very effective but is also risky. The spine is a vital and extremely delicate part of the human body. Any type of operation on the spine is considered as being high risk.
A patient will be put under general anesthesia for the procedure, which means they will be completely under and the procedure usually takes no longer than an hour. Of course, the details can vary depending on the seriousness of the condition, the size of the patient and whether there are any complications throughout.
During the operation, the surgeon will make an incision that is just a few centimeters in length. They can then access the muscles and will start to dissect them away in order to reach the bones of the spine. This is the most delicate part of the procedure where they use special instruments to remove the herniated disc.
They will usually not remove the entire disc but instead just a small amount of bone and ligament. Their goal is to remove the fragment that is pressing on the nerves so the patient’s pain will be stopped as a result. The surgeon will review the appearance of the spinal nerves at this time and determine whether or not to take further measures.
In some cases, they will take extra steps if they can assume the patient may experience another herniated disc in the future. In this case, they would remove extra disc fragments in hopes this would help the patient avoid another surgery.
In terms of the recovery process, most patients find that they recuperate quite well after the procedure. They will generally feel pain but are able to take pain medication to help with this. Patients may be required to spend one to two days in the hospital before being released, more if there is risk of infection or other complications.
Most patients find partial if not complete relief because of their spinal disc surgery. Unfortunately, not all patients are considered as being good candidates for the surgery. You must discuss it with your doctor and if this is not an option, there may be other, albeit less effective, treatment methods available to deal with the problem and find relief of your pain.
