Spine Surgery – Types of Spine Surgery
Spine Surgery – Types of Spine Surgery
Spine surgery is rarely an initial treatment for back pain, however, there are a few emergencies that may require surgical treatment. In the vast majority of patients, spine surgery is only considered after a long course of conservative therapy.
Discectomy :
Backbone, or Spine, is made up of 24 bones (vertebrae), like a tower of hollow bricks held together by rubbery plates called discs. This arrangement helps you to bend your back. Central part of the disc is soft.
A discectomy is a procedure to remove a portion of the disc that rests between each vertebrae. A herniated disc is the most common reason for spine surgery. In this type of spine surgery, the herniated disc is removed and relieve the pressure on the nerves.
Foramenotomy :
This is an operation used to treat arm or neck pain (or headache) A foramenotomy is also a procedure used to relieve pressure on a nerve, but in this case, the nerve is being pinched by more than just herniated disc.
This is performed under general anaesthetic. A foramenotomy removes a portion of bone of using a high speed drill and curettes and other tissue that may be compressing the nerve as it exits the spinal column. It takes 3 to 7 days stay in hospital.
Laminectomy :
Laminectomy is a spine operation to remove the portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina. This procedure is also called decompression. A laminectomy is most commonly used to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Depending on the amount of bone removed, this procedure may be done with a spinal fusion to prevent instability.
Spine fusion :
A spine fusion is a surgery performed to link together individual segments, or vertebrae, within the spine. A spine fusion is surgery that is done to eliminate motion between adjacent vertebrae. The spine fusion may be done because to treat a problem such as spondylolisthesis (unstable spine), or it may be done because of the extent of other surgery (such as a laminectomy).
Spinal Disc Replacement :
Spinal disc replacement is a new surgery that is still quite uncommon. Spine disc replacement is done to treat specific types of back pain, while avoiding the problems associated with spine fusion surgery.