The spine is a vital part of our body, required for strength and stability for everyday activities. The spinal vertebrae or bones work as a protective layer for the spinal cord. Therefore, spine surgery is a critical decision for anyone as it is a final resort for treating spinal deformities or disorders. You could look for the best hospital for spine surgery in India to undergo this complex surgery. However, it is important to know the different types of spine surgery and determine whether you are the right candidate. Let us learn more about spine surgery and why you should opt for the procedure.
Is Spine Surgery Necessary for You?
The continuous struggle with back pain must have forced you to think of spine surgery as an effective treatment option. While surgery is a recommended treatment for back and neck pain, non-surgical methods take priority in treatment. People experiencing problems with back pain could also experience pain in the neck or shooting pain that goes down one leg. In some cases, back pain could lead to numbness, weakness, and pain in the legs.
What could be the possible reasons behind the excruciating back pain? Improper body movement, structural abnormalities, injury, and aging are the primary factors that result in trauma to the spine. In addition, problems with spinal discs and overgrowth of bones could also result in chronic back pain.
People suffering from symptoms of chronic back pain can consult with an expert doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Doctors would initially recommend changes in physical activity, diet, and guidance for maintaining proper weight. Subsequently, doctors would recommend over-the-counter medications or physiotherapy for the treatment of spine problems. Spine surgery is inevitable when you don’t find any improvement in your health condition with non-surgical treatment methods.
What Are the Options for Spine Surgery?
Depending on the severity of your spine problems and diagnosis, doctors can recommend different types of spine surgeries. If you know about those, you are likely to identify the best option for your needs. Here are the most common types of spine surgery procedures recommended by doctors for the treatment of back problems.
- Lumbar Discectomy
Lumbar discectomy is a surgical procedure recommended for the treatment of an injured disc in the lower back of patients. The two different types of lumbar discectomy include open spine surgery and arthroscopic discectomy. The arthroscopic discectomy procedure is minimally invasive and does not involve open manipulation of muscles and tissue around the spine. On the other hand, open spine surgery has proved effective in the treatment of herniated discs in the lower back area. Microscopic discectomy is a popular example of an emerging treatment approach for back problems with innovative use of technology.
- Spinal Fusion Surgery
Spinal fusion surgery involves connecting two adjacent vertebrae to avoid pain caused due to the movement between them. Surgeons would use small screws and rods to connect the vertebrae. Over time, the vertebrae would heal naturally and fuse. Surgeons could also use a small bone graft for fusing the vertebrae.
- Foraminotomy
Another type of spine surgery is foraminotomy, which can help in relieving pain due to compressed nerves in the spine. Doctors would cut the bone at the sides of the vertebrae to open up space to enable nerves to exit the spine. The additional space for the nerves could help in relieving pressure and subsequently reduce the pain. Surgeons can also recommend a spinal fusion along with a foraminotomy procedure.
- Laminectomy
Laminectomy or lumbar decompression surgery is a recommended surgical procedure for the treatment of spinal stenosis. It helps in correcting the narrowing of the spinal canal. Surgeons would remove a part of the lamina, or all of it, where it presses against the spine. Laminectomy is a recommended procedure for age-related back problems due to the narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Disc Replacement
Another common spine surgery is disc replacement. Surgeons would remove the damaged spinal disc and replace it with an artificial one between the vertebrae. The best thing about disc replacement is the possibility of faster recovery time in comparison to spinal fusion surgery.
- Spinal Correction Procedures
The list of spinal surgeries would also include spinal correction procedures for resolving deformities. Some of the notable procedures for correcting deformities include vertebral column resection, spinopelvic fixation, osteotomy, and pedicle subtraction osteotomy.
Are You Prepared for Spinal Surgery?
Before undergoing spine surgery, you have to identify the best hospital for spine surgery in India, where you can consult with specialists. Most important of all, you must check the availability of modern diagnosis and testing apparatus. Reputed and reliable hospitals with qualified doctors and trained medical staff can help you go through surgery and recover from back problems.
Read more health blogs about Spine Surgery: Is Surgical More Effective Than Non-Surgical Treatment?
