Spine Surgery

Spine surgery refers to surgical procedures performed on the spine to address various conditions or injuries affecting the vertebral column. These surgeries aim to alleviate pain, restore spinal stability, and improve overall function. Spine surgery is typically considered when conservative treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications, fail to provide relief. Here are some common types of spine surgeries:

1. Discectomy:
   • Involves the removal of a portion of a herniated or damaged intervertebral disc to relieve pressure on nearby nerves. It is often performed to treat conditions like herniated discs.
2. Laminectomy:
   • This procedure involves removing the lamina (the back part of the vertebra) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is commonly performed to treat spinal stenosis.
3. Spinal Fusion:
   • Fusion involves joining two or more vertebrae together, typically using bone grafts or implants. The goal is to stabilize the spine and reduce pain, often in cases of spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, or fractures.
4. Microdiscectomy:
   • Similar to a standard discectomy but performed using a minimally invasive approach. It aims to remove part of a herniated disc while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues.
5. Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty:
   • These procedures involve injecting bone cement into fractured vertebrae to stabilize and alleviate pain, often performed for vertebral compression fractures.
6. Spinal Decompression:
   • Various procedures, including laminectomy and foraminotomy, aim to decompress the spinal cord or nerve roots to treat conditions like spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.
7. Artificial Disc Replacement:
   • Involves replacing a damaged or degenerated disc with an artificial disc, preserving motion at the affected spinal segment.
8. Scoliosis Surgery:
   • Surgical correction of abnormal spinal curvature, typically involving spinal fusion and instrumentation to straighten and stabilize the spine.
9. Spinal Tumor Surgery:
   • Removal of tumors affecting the spine, whether they are primary spinal tumors or metastatic tumors from other parts of the body.
10. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS):
    • Utilizes smaller incisions, specialized instruments, and imaging guidance to perform spine surgery with reduced tissue disruption and quicker recovery times.
11. Cervical Disc Replacement:
    • Similar to lumbar disc replacement but specifically addresses damaged discs in the cervical (neck) region.

It’s important to note that spine surgery is typically considered after thorough evaluation by spine specialists, including orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons. The decision to undergo surgery depends on factors such as the specific diagnosis, severity of symptoms, overall health, and the patient’s response to conservative treatments. Each surgery carries its own risks and benefits, and the choice of procedure is tailored to the individual patient’s needs and condition. Pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, including physical therapy, are often integral parts of the overall treatment plan for spine surgery patients.