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.
The doctor will try to rule other possible causes by taking a detailed history and subjecting you to a physical examination with a special emphasis on the back. Bony growths, tumors and fractured vertebral bodies may also lead to similar symptoms. The treatment is more or less the same for most of these conditions. Radiographic images of the spine helps to visualize the exact connective tissue component that is affected.
The options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two major categories. These are the conservative option (traction) and surgical intervention. There is a general recommendation that all patients who require decompression undergo traction first and should only consider surgery if this conservative approach fails to yield results. In this technique, a gentle but steady pulling force is applied onto the spine with the aim of restoring its natural shape.
The force on the spine results in increased intervertebral disc space and reduced pressure. If there is a disc that has slipped out of position, it falls back into this space. This effectively relieves the pressure that is exerted on either the nerve roots or the spinal cord. One session will typically last for a maximum of one hour. You will be allowed home on the same day and come back on subsequent sessions as an outpatient.
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 several types of surgeries that are performed in decompression operations. The type that is performed depends on the underlying cause. The surgeries are named depending on the part of the spine that is removed. They include, laminectomy, corpectomy, discectomy, foraminectomy and osteophyte removal among others. Discectomy, for instance, is the removal of the intervertebral disc while corpectomy involves removing the vertebral body (usually with the disc as well).
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.
Traction is the mainstay of surgical decompression especially if the cause is a displaced intervertebral disc. Surgery is often regarded as a last resort due to the high success rates of traction and the possible complications that come with surgery. Talking to your doctor every step of the way helps in making informed decisions.
The doctor will try to rule other possible causes by taking a detailed history and subjecting you to a physical examination with a special emphasis on the back. Bony growths, tumors and fractured vertebral bodies may also lead to similar symptoms. The treatment is more or less the same for most of these conditions. Radiographic images of the spine helps to visualize the exact connective tissue component that is affected.
The options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two major categories. These are the conservative option (traction) and surgical intervention. There is a general recommendation that all patients who require decompression undergo traction first and should only consider surgery if this conservative approach fails to yield results. In this technique, a gentle but steady pulling force is applied onto the spine with the aim of restoring its natural shape.
The force on the spine results in increased intervertebral disc space and reduced pressure. If there is a disc that has slipped out of position, it falls back into this space. This effectively relieves the pressure that is exerted on either the nerve roots or the spinal cord. One session will typically last for a maximum of one hour. You will be allowed home on the same day and come back on subsequent sessions as an outpatient.
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 several types of surgeries that are performed in decompression operations. The type that is performed depends on the underlying cause. The surgeries are named depending on the part of the spine that is removed. They include, laminectomy, corpectomy, discectomy, foraminectomy and osteophyte removal among others. Discectomy, for instance, is the removal of the intervertebral disc while corpectomy involves removing the vertebral body (usually with the disc as well).
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.
Traction is the mainstay of surgical decompression especially if the cause is a displaced intervertebral disc. Surgery is often regarded as a last resort due to the high success rates of traction and the possible complications that come with surgery. Talking to your doctor every step of the way helps in making informed decisions.
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