Back pain is one of the commonest causes of hospital visits and reduced productivity at the work place. The causes for this complaint are numerous but appear to relate to connective tissue elements of the spine that include the muscles, bones and ligaments. Compression of nerve roots by any of these elements results in pain of varying degrees at the lower back region and the lower limbs. There are a number of options of spinal decompression Conroe patients need to be aware of.
The modalities are broadly classified into conservative and surgical. The conservative or non-surgical option is also known as traction. It entails applying a gentle force along the spine so as to restore its natural position. If this position is successfully achieved, the pressure on the nerve elements is relieved and so is the pain. It is most useful if the cause of symptoms is a herniated intervertebral disc.
Traction is applied over several sessions on outpatient basis. With your clothes on, the doctor will position you on an adjustable table and fit a harness around the pelvis and around the trunk. The required force is generated by a computer so that you get just what is necessary in your case. On average, 20 to 25 sessions are required for correction of the problem.
There are a number of situations for which traction is not appropriate or is contraindicated. If one has a fracture of the spine, pelvis or lower limbs then this procedure will be more harmful than it would be beneficial and should be avoided. Other conditions in which it should be avoided include the presence of abdominal or pelvic tumors, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, metallic implants in the spine and advanced osteoporosis.
Surgical spinal decompression is considered as a last resort. There are several types of surgeries that can be performed. The choice is determined by a number of factors that include patient preference, type and severity of underlying condition as well as the surgical skill of your doctor. They include laminectomy, osteophyte removal, discectomy, corpectomy and foraminectomy among others. Each has associated advantages and disadvantages.
Discectomy is the surgical removal of the intervertebral disc to free compressed structures. This can be achieved as an open procedure or by use of endoscopy. Laminectomy entails removal of varying sizes of the lamina (forms part of the arch of a vertebral body). This helps to relieve any pressure that may exist. Corpectomy is removal of a vertebral body and an intervertebral disc while foraminectomy is the expansion of the opening used by exiting nerves.
There are several complications that may occur after the operation. They include excessive bleeding, infection and damage of nerves at the surgical site. The main long term complication is instability due to removal of connective tissue elements. Often times, there is a need to preform spinal fusion surgery so as to restore the initial stability.
Non-surgical (conservative) decompression of the spine is preferred over surgery. Apart from having fewer complications the results are remarkable for the majority of patients. If a decision to have surgery is made, the patient should be informed of the attendant risks and benefits and allowed to give their own opinion as well.
The modalities are broadly classified into conservative and surgical. The conservative or non-surgical option is also known as traction. It entails applying a gentle force along the spine so as to restore its natural position. If this position is successfully achieved, the pressure on the nerve elements is relieved and so is the pain. It is most useful if the cause of symptoms is a herniated intervertebral disc.
Traction is applied over several sessions on outpatient basis. With your clothes on, the doctor will position you on an adjustable table and fit a harness around the pelvis and around the trunk. The required force is generated by a computer so that you get just what is necessary in your case. On average, 20 to 25 sessions are required for correction of the problem.
There are a number of situations for which traction is not appropriate or is contraindicated. If one has a fracture of the spine, pelvis or lower limbs then this procedure will be more harmful than it would be beneficial and should be avoided. Other conditions in which it should be avoided include the presence of abdominal or pelvic tumors, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, metallic implants in the spine and advanced osteoporosis.
Surgical spinal decompression is considered as a last resort. There are several types of surgeries that can be performed. The choice is determined by a number of factors that include patient preference, type and severity of underlying condition as well as the surgical skill of your doctor. They include laminectomy, osteophyte removal, discectomy, corpectomy and foraminectomy among others. Each has associated advantages and disadvantages.
Discectomy is the surgical removal of the intervertebral disc to free compressed structures. This can be achieved as an open procedure or by use of endoscopy. Laminectomy entails removal of varying sizes of the lamina (forms part of the arch of a vertebral body). This helps to relieve any pressure that may exist. Corpectomy is removal of a vertebral body and an intervertebral disc while foraminectomy is the expansion of the opening used by exiting nerves.
There are several complications that may occur after the operation. They include excessive bleeding, infection and damage of nerves at the surgical site. The main long term complication is instability due to removal of connective tissue elements. Often times, there is a need to preform spinal fusion surgery so as to restore the initial stability.
Non-surgical (conservative) decompression of the spine is preferred over surgery. Apart from having fewer complications the results are remarkable for the majority of patients. If a decision to have surgery is made, the patient should be informed of the attendant risks and benefits and allowed to give their own opinion as well.
About the Author:
To be able to obtain more information about treatments for spinal decompression Conroe patients must go directly to our main website. Find here the link to click on http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com today.
No comments:
Post a Comment