All You Need to Know About Spine Surgery

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What You Need to Know Before Opting for Spine Surgery

The first step is identifying the cause of the pain. Proper diagnosis should be made before surgery to avoid continued pain after the surgery; a condition commonly referred to as “failed back surgery syndrome.”

Research thoroughly to identify a board-certified or board-eligible surgeon who specializes on spinal surgery. Once you have identified a qualified surgeon, he/she will carry out a comprehensive medical consultation session where you will explain your predicament. The surgeon will then discuss why you need surgery, the type of surgery you will undergo and post-surgery dos and don’ts.

Reasons to Have Spine Surgery

To stabilize the spine

An unstable spine means the spinal column is unable to maintain its natural form. In this state the spine can no longer hold together disc, spinal ligaments, bones and muscles, therefore, it becomes difficult for it to provide support, protection and structure of the body. Conditions such as extreme disc injury, spinal structure and spondylolisthesis exhibit an unstable spine and surgery is required to rectify this instability.

To release pressure off the spine

Nerves within the spinal column may get compressed resulting in pressure leading to weak muscles, feeling numb and pain among other severe symptoms. This pressure needs to be removed to avert permanent impairment which can only be achieved through surgery. Conditions such as disc herniation or spinal stenosis cause this pressure in the column.

To correct a crooked spine

Conditions such as kyphosis, scoliosis and a flat-back syndrome that alter the natural spine curvature can be treated through non-operative measures. However, in cases where the curvature exceeds a certain degree surgery is recommended to realign the spine.

Spine Surgery Methods

Spine surgery includes methods such as traditional lumbar fusion, microdiscectomy and laminectomy.

A laminectomy involves the removal of thickened ligament and bone spurs that are pressing on the spinal column through an incision made at the back. Laminectomy is an effective procedure to treat spinal stenosis conditions.

The microdiscectomy procedure involves making a small incision at the lower back to remove herniated discs that are pressing on the spinal column. The procedure is used to treat nerve pain caused by the herniated discs.

Traditional spine fusion procedure involves fusing a patient one vertebrae to another using the body’s bone and a metal screw. The procedure is used to treat scoliosis, severe degeneration of the discs or an unstable spine.

Minimally Incisive Spine Surgery

This procedure only makes a small incision on the body and therefore exposes less anatomy than an open surgery. Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS TLIF) and Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) are the two main procedures carried out in this type of surgery.

LLIF is where a small incision is made under the ribs. The surgeon carries out spine fusion without disrupting spine muscles. The LLIF is accompanied by percutaneous instrumentation procedure, where the surgeon uses intraoperative X-ray or computer navigation to place screws and rods between the muscle fibres without removing the muscles of the spine.

Post-Surgery Tips

The surgeon should be able to advise you on the do’s and don’ts to help you in the recovery process. The recovery process is slow and can take months or years, so you have to be patient. After fusion surgery working or physical activities  - even bending - is not allowed for a couple of months.

Finally, don't miss your routine check-up after surgery or else the healing process might take longer. The surgeon should give you a routine and monitor your progress over the recovery period.