Are you planning to have spine surgery? Know in advance the following types of spinal surgery.
There are various ways to treat spinal problems. These include physical therapy, home exercises, medication, and spinal injections.
Surgery is also the last resort if all treatment attempts are unsuccessful. Doing surgery also does not guarantee you are completely free from spinal problems.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists says that this surgery is not a medical procedure for pain relief. The failure rate can reach 20-40 percent.
Even so, spinal surgery can be a recommended option. Especially if you have a serious musculoskeletal injury or nerve compression.
Before you perform spine surgery, it is best to first know the following types.
Types of Spine Surgery
1. Spinal Fusion or Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is the most common surgery for nonspecific chronic back pain with degenerative changes.
This condition shows changes in body cells or human organs. Degenerative conditions most often occur due to the aging process.
In this operation, the doctor will connect two adjacent vertebrae. Aims to overcome the pain caused by the movement of both.
Usually, spinal fusion will limit nerve movement in the operated area. However, carrying out daily activities can still be carried out normally.
There are cases of this operation failing, although it is rare. It is recommended not to smoke after undergoing surgery so that complications do not arise. If there is, it is likely that the doctor will suggest follow-up surgery.
2. Laminectomy
Launching WebMD, laminectomy is also the most common surgery to treat spinal stenosis or narrowing of the vertebrae.
In this procedure, the surgeon will remove sections of bone, bone spurs, or ligaments in your back.
This is to reduce pressure on the spinal cord and can reduce pain in the spinal cord.
However, this procedure can make the spine less stable. Spinal fusion may also need to be done. In some cases, doctors will perform both procedures together.
3. Foraminotomy
Foraminotomy surgery is performed to relieve pain associated with compressed nerves in the spine.
The surgeon will cut the bone on the side of your spine. This is to widen the space where the nerves exit your spine. The extra space can reduce pressure on nerves and reduce pain.
Like a laminectomy, this procedure can also make your spine less stable.
So, surgeons can perform spinal fusion at the same time. The recovery time required will also be longer.
4. Discectomy
Sometimes the discs or pads that separate your spine can slip out of place.
This condition will then press the spinal cord causing pain in the back.
“ Discectomy is a surgical procedure or procedure to remove an abnormal disc. It is usually done in conditions of hernia nucleus pulposus (HNP) in the lumbar region that do not improve with other treatments,” he said.
In a discectomy, the surgeon removes all or part of the disc or discs. A large incision in the back is usually required in this operation.
However, in some cases, this operation only requires a small incision, also known as a microdiscectomy.
A microdiscectomy is performed under an operating microscope through a smaller incision than an open discectomy. This is the standard surgical procedure for lumbar disc herniation.
There are times when a discectomy is part of a major surgical procedure that includes several other surgeries, such as a laminectomy, foraminotomy, or spinal fusion.
5. Disc or Disc Replacement
A surgeon removes the damaged spinal disc and inserts an artificial disc between your vertebrae.
Unlike fusion, this surgery allows you to move the spine freely.
Recovery time is also usually shorter than spinal fusion. Even so, keep the activity immediately after the operation.
This is to overcome the risk of the new disc shifting or not being positioned properly. If this happens, then a follow-up operation to fix it needs to be done.
6. Interlaminar Implant
Surgeons implant a U-shaped device between the two vertebrae in the lower back.
This helps keep the space between them open and relieves pressure on your spinal nerves. This surgery can be performed at the same time as a laminectomy.
Unlike spinal fusion, the implant provides stability and allows you to move your back almost as normal. However, you may find it difficult to stretch your back backward.
Here is an explanation of some types of spine surgery that you need to know.
It is highly recommended to consult a doctor in detail before performing spinal surgery. The point is to clearly know the side effects and the success rate.