Spinal surgery can be a very scary and intense experience, especially for those who have never been through it before. However, with the right preparation and a knowledgeable surgical team, patients can be assured that the surgery will be successful. Spinal surgery is an operation done on the spine. It can be done to repair the damage, such as from a herniated disc or replacement of discs with artificial materials due to bulging discs or degeneration of the spine. Getting surgery from spine.md can be one of the best decisions you have ever made. Here are some of the reasons why you might need to get a spinal surgery:
Back pain or compression injury
Spinal surgery is the most common procedure for patients with lower back or neck pain. It is also seen most often in athletes that suffer from repetitive stress injury. Back or neck problems will cause sufferers to feel numb and generally in pain, and rely on being completely immobile for relief. The pain may be worsened by activities such as lifting, bending, or turning. Surgery can help relieve pain and restore function.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal is narrowed, causing pressure on the nerves and leading to symptoms such as weakness, loss of sensation, pain, or muscle wasting in the limbs. The narrowing may be due to aging or a congenital abnormality. Surgery can relieve or prevent further nerve damage.
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative discs are usually caused by “wear-and-tear” on the spine over time and by aging. They cause the discs to develop tiny cracks in the middle, which can lead to pain and weakness in the arms or legs. Treatment ranges from non-surgical options such as physical therapy and medications to minimally invasive treatments to more invasive surgery.
Herniated discs
A herniated disc occurs when intervertebral disc bursts or tears through a weak spot, and the gel-like center of the disc is pushed outward, putting pressure on the surrounding nerves. Surgery is mostly used to relieve pressure on the nerve, but sometimes surgery will be done to remove the disc.
Spinal tumors
Spinal tumors can occur anywhere along the spine and are usually caused by cancers such as metastatic cancer, sarcomas, or lymphomas. There are many types of spinal tumors and can take many forms ranging from benign growths to malignant masses.
As you can see, spinal surgery can be a very beneficial procedure if it is done under the right circumstances. With the right amount of preparation, a patient and their medical team will certainly have an easier time going through the procedure and make getting spinal surgery more approachable.