Back pain and an arch forming can lead many people to worry about their spine, wondering if they’ll require spine surgery. Most people will suffer from at least one major episode of back pain in their life, and while back problems are common, most of the time, spinal treatment isn’t necessary. Before you begin to look for a good spine surgeon, let us discuss the reasons why spine surgery may be right for you so that you have a better understanding of when it’s appropriate.
Different Types of Spinal Back Surgery
The spine stabilizes our body and is protected by the vertebrae, which requires orthopedic surgeons to provide treatment for any spine problems. If it has been determined that spinal surgery is needed, your surgeon will attempt minimally invasive methods to address the pain and any debilitating issues in the back before recommending spinal surgery:
Herniated Disc Surgery
This surgical treatment is aimed at repairing a herniated disc by removing some or all of the injured disc. If the surgeon removes the disc completely, they’ll fuse two of the adjacent vertebrae together to stop the disc pain.
Lumbar Discectomy
This surgical treatment has two options: minimally invasive and open spine surgery. The latter is more common for a herniated disc in the lumbar area. The surgery is performed using a microscope through a small incision and then detaching the muscles from the vertebrae to expose the disc. Sometimes the ligaments and lamina on the vertebrae are removed to see the disc more clearly. They will then remove the piece of the disc that comes out of the disc wall and any fragments. No replacement is used.
Spinal fusion Surgery
This surgical treatment involves connecting the two adjacent vertebrae to avoid the pain caused by their movement against each other. The surgeon uses small screws and rods to connect them before allowing them to naturally heal, fusing together.
Spinal Decompression
When spinal stenosis causes the spinal canal to narrow, it results in numbness, pain, and weakness. When this occurs, a surgeon removes the walls of the vertebrae and any bone spurs to open the spinal column and remove pressure on the nerves.
Reasons Why Surgical Treatment May Be Best
There are several reasons why a person may require spine surgery procedures, but your doctor is likely to recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon if any of the following symptoms are present:
- Trouble walking or using your hands
- A broken or dislocated bone in the back
- A tumor on the spinal cord
- Bone spurs in the spine, often caused by arthritis
- A slipped disk that isn’t healing naturally
- Stenosis or other degenerative spinal conditions
- Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs
- A spinal infection, they often cause a high fever along with back pain.
- Loss of bowel and bladder control, usually related to a problem with nerves in the back if related to the spine.
When the Time is Right
Surgeries for back pain are usually unnecessary, though it’s always a good idea to see your doctor to find out if there may be more serious causes or threats to your health. For back pain or spine conditions, many surgeons and doctors wait before performing any surgery as they’ll want to assess whether the body is healing on its own or if any non-surgical treatments are helping. This is not the approach for all conditions related to spinal health as some, if waiting, can become more serious.
We at Proliance Surgeons Everett Bone & Joint are dedicated to treating spinal injuries and conditions, ensuring our patients have the knowledge to avoid them entirely. By delivering the highest quality of care and expertise, we better the community and keep our neighbors in good health for as long as they can and help them with a shorter recovery time. If you are concerned that spinal surgeries may be needed, don’t hesitate to contact us using the button below.