If you experience sharp back pain after heavy lifting or after a traumatic event involving the back, there is a high probability that your intervertebral disc has herniated. The displacement exerts pressure on nearby structures. If nerve roots or the cord is affected, this pain will be persistent and will typically also involve the limbs (either the upper or the lower limbs depending on the level of the injury). There are some important facts on spinal decompression Conroe patients should know.
When you visit your doctor for a diagnosis, you will be asked to give a history and then you will be taken through a physical examination with a bias of the back and spine. Apart from a displaced disc, the symptoms may also be caused by bony growths or any disorders affecting the connective tissue structures within the spine. Radiographic images in the form of MRIs, CT scans and plain X-rays are some of the most important investigations here.
The methods that are used in relieving pressure on the spine or nerve roots are broadly categorized into two. The first category includes the non-invasive methods (mainly traction) and the second is made up of the surgical options. The general recommendation is that all persons should first be subject to traction before the surgical methods are considered. Traction involves the use of sustained force applied in the direction of the spine.
In the case of displaced discs, when the right amount of force is applied, the intervertebral space is increased and the pressure within this space decreases. The disc slips back into its position and the pressure on the adjacent structures is relieved. A single session takes between 30 minutes and one hour. Since it is performed on an outpatient basis, one can go home on the same day. An average, twenty to twenty five sessions are required over several weeks.
There are several contraindications of traction that exist. One of such situations is the presence of fracture to a major lower limb bone. Applying a pulling force on such limbs is likely to aggravate the fractures and should be avoided. A similar scenario may be experienced for limbs that have metallic implants within them. The other conditions for which traction is deemed inappropriate include advanced osteoporosis, pregnancy and pelvic tumors among others.
There are various types of surgeries that are performed depending on the problem that has been identified. The surgeries are named depending on the component that is cut or removed. Examples include laminectomy, corpectomy, removal of osteophytes, discectomy and foraminectomy. In discectomy, the affected disc is removed in its entirety but everything else is left intact. Corpectomy involves surgical removal of the vertebral body and its associated disc.
Even as you plan to have this operation, you need to remember that there is a risk, albeit small, of complications. Bleeding, injury to nerve roots and infections. These tend to be seen mainly in the short term. In the long term, the biggest worry is the possibility of ending up with spinal instability if large components of vertebral bodies are removed. Spinal fusion surgery helps correct this problem.
Non-surgical management (traction) remains the main modality used in decompressing the spine. The surgical options should only come in when the other methods have failed. The doctor and the patient need to explore all the possibilities together before they arrive at the final decision.
When you visit your doctor for a diagnosis, you will be asked to give a history and then you will be taken through a physical examination with a bias of the back and spine. Apart from a displaced disc, the symptoms may also be caused by bony growths or any disorders affecting the connective tissue structures within the spine. Radiographic images in the form of MRIs, CT scans and plain X-rays are some of the most important investigations here.
The methods that are used in relieving pressure on the spine or nerve roots are broadly categorized into two. The first category includes the non-invasive methods (mainly traction) and the second is made up of the surgical options. The general recommendation is that all persons should first be subject to traction before the surgical methods are considered. Traction involves the use of sustained force applied in the direction of the spine.
In the case of displaced discs, when the right amount of force is applied, the intervertebral space is increased and the pressure within this space decreases. The disc slips back into its position and the pressure on the adjacent structures is relieved. A single session takes between 30 minutes and one hour. Since it is performed on an outpatient basis, one can go home on the same day. An average, twenty to twenty five sessions are required over several weeks.
There are several contraindications of traction that exist. One of such situations is the presence of fracture to a major lower limb bone. Applying a pulling force on such limbs is likely to aggravate the fractures and should be avoided. A similar scenario may be experienced for limbs that have metallic implants within them. The other conditions for which traction is deemed inappropriate include advanced osteoporosis, pregnancy and pelvic tumors among others.
There are various types of surgeries that are performed depending on the problem that has been identified. The surgeries are named depending on the component that is cut or removed. Examples include laminectomy, corpectomy, removal of osteophytes, discectomy and foraminectomy. In discectomy, the affected disc is removed in its entirety but everything else is left intact. Corpectomy involves surgical removal of the vertebral body and its associated disc.
Even as you plan to have this operation, you need to remember that there is a risk, albeit small, of complications. Bleeding, injury to nerve roots and infections. These tend to be seen mainly in the short term. In the long term, the biggest worry is the possibility of ending up with spinal instability if large components of vertebral bodies are removed. Spinal fusion surgery helps correct this problem.
Non-surgical management (traction) remains the main modality used in decompressing the spine. The surgical options should only come in when the other methods have failed. The doctor and the patient need to explore all the possibilities together before they arrive at the final decision.
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