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.
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.
It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to traction that exist. One of them is a person that has suffered a fracture to a major bone of the limb. There is a huge risk of worsening this injury due to the pulling. The same applies for persons that have metallic implants within the bones. Other conditions for which it is deemed inappropriate include pregnancy, pelvic tumors and advanced osteoporosis.
There are many different types of operations that are conducted depending on the underlying problem. Each is named based on the structure that is traversed or removed. When the disc is removed, for instance, the operation is referred to as a discectomy. When it is the vertebral body that is removed, a corpectomy is said to have been done. The other types of operations include foraminectomy, laminectomy and osteophyte removal.
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.
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.
It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to traction that exist. One of them is a person that has suffered a fracture to a major bone of the limb. There is a huge risk of worsening this injury due to the pulling. The same applies for persons that have metallic implants within the bones. Other conditions for which it is deemed inappropriate include pregnancy, pelvic tumors and advanced osteoporosis.
There are many different types of operations that are conducted depending on the underlying problem. Each is named based on the structure that is traversed or removed. When the disc is removed, for instance, the operation is referred to as a discectomy. When it is the vertebral body that is removed, a corpectomy is said to have been done. The other types of operations include foraminectomy, laminectomy and osteophyte removal.
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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