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.
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.
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.
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.
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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