Spine Surgeons conducting surgery for Thoracic Spine Decompression

SPINE SURGERY

Spine surgery is a type of surgical procedure on the spine, the column of bones that runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone.

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3 percent of individuals with progressive curvature may eventually experience severe problems that can include scoliosis and back pain, spinal problems, and nerve compression causing numbness, weakness, and leg pain.

Spine Surgery

Spine surgery encompasses a surgical procedure on the spine.  The spine makes up a column of bones that runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Doctors recommend this surgery for patients who have chronic or severe pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of function.  In addition, our doctors only recommend surgery for patients who do not respond to non-surgical treatments.  Non-surgical treatments include medications, physical therapy, or injections.

Reasons

There are several conditions that may require spine surgery, including:

  • Herniated disc: A herniated disc occurs when the soft, jelly-like material inside the spinal disc bulges or ruptures through a weak area in the disc’s outer layer. This can compress nerves in the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, and numbness. Surgery may be recommended if other treatments do not provide relief.
  • Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the back and legs. Surgery may be recommended if other treatments do not provide relief.
  • Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to the side. Surgery may be recommended if the curve is severe and is causing pain or other symptoms, or if it is likely to worsen over time.
  • Spinal fractures: Spinal fractures can occur as a result of trauma or osteoporosis (a condition that weakens the bones). Surgery may be recommended to stabilize the spine and prevent further damage.
  • Degenerative disc disease: Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs between the vertebrae in the spine break down over time. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the back and legs. Surgery may be recommended if other treatments do not provide relief.
  • Tumors that grow in or around the spine can compress the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain, weakness, and numbness. Surgery may be recommended to remove the tumor and relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

It’s important to note that spine surgery is typically considered a last resort after other treatments have been tried and proven ineffective. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.

Types

The following represent several types of spine surgery, each of which addresses specific spinal conditions or injuries.

  • Decompression surgery: This type of surgery relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It involves removing part of the bone or tissue that presses on the nerve or spinal cord.
  • Spinal fusion: This surgery involves fusing two or more vertebrae together to create a more stable spine. Surgeons use this for patients with spinal instability, such as those with scoliosis or spinal fractures.
  • Artificial disc replacement: This surgery involves replacing a damaged or diseased disc with an artificial one. Surgeons recommend this procedure for patients with degenerative disc disease.
  • Laminectomy: This surgery involves removing the lamina, the bony arch that covers the spinal cord. Surgeons recommend this procedure for patients with spinal stenosis.
  • Microdiscectomy: This surgery involves removing a portion of a herniated disc that presses on a nerve. Surgeons recommend this procedure for patients with sciatica or other nerve-related pain.

Surgeons perform spine surgery while the patient undergoes general anesthesia, which means the patient sleeps during the procedure. The surgeon makes an incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the problem.  The surgeon will use specialized tools to perform the surgery. After the surgeon completes the procedure, the patient goes to a recovery room where the patient will be closely monitored for several hours before being released to go home.

Benefits

Spine surgery is a complex procedure and only proceeds after non-surgical treatments fail to relieve the patient’s symptoms. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of spine surgery with their doctor.  That discussion will determine the correct procedure and the right treatment option for their specific condition.

Decompression Surgery

Spine SurgeryDecompression surgery is a surgical procedure that relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Surgeons recommend this procedure for patients who experience chronic or severe pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of function. Specifically, in the back, neck, arms, or legs that did not respond to non-surgical treatments.

During decompression surgery, the surgeon removes part of the bone or tissue that presses on the nerve or spinal cord. This procedure can use different approaches, depending on the location and severity of the problem. The most common approach refers to a laminectomy. This involves removing the lamina, a bony arch, that covers the spinal cord. Also, foraminotomy refers to another surgical approach.  This involves removing a small part of the bone or tissue that presses on a spinal nerve.

The procedures described above typically get performed while the patient undergoes general anesthesia, which means the patient sleeps during the procedure. The surgeon makes an incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the problem. Then the surgeon uses specialized tools to remove the bone or tissue that presses against the nerve or spinal cord. After completing the surgery, the incision gets closed and the patient wakes up in the recovery room. In this room, the patient will be monitored for several hours before being released to go home.

Benefits

Decompression surgery provides significant relief for patients with spinal stenosis, herniated discs, bone spurs, or other conditions that cause pain.  However, surgeons view this surgical procedure as having possible risks and complications that include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and spinal fluid leaks. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of decompression surgery with their doctor.  Those discussions will determine the best treatment option for their specific condition.

Spinal Fusion

Surgeons use Spinal fusion to join two or more vertebrae together to create a more stable spine. Doctors recommended this procedure for patients with spinal instability, such as those with scoliosis, spinal fractures, or degenerative disc disease. During spinal fusion surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged or diseased disc or bone and places a bone graft or synthetic material between the affected vertebrae. The graft material encourages new bone growth and fuses the vertebrae together over time. In some cases, metal plates, screws, or rods will hold the vertebrae in place while the fusion heals.

Surgeons typically perform the procedure with the patient under general anesthesia, which means the patient sleeps during the procedure. The surgeon makes an incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the problem, and uses specialized tools to remove the damaged or diseased disc or bone. The surgeon then inserts the bone graft or synthetic material between the affected vertebrae and held in place with metal hardware, if necessary. After the surgery, the patient goes to the recovery room where the staff will monitor the patient for several hours before being released to go home.

Benefits

Spinal fusion can provide significant relief for patients with spinal instability or degenerative disc disease.  The procedure requires expert spine surgeons, and therefore, patients should seek surgeons who conduct spine procedures all the time. Possible risks and complications of spinal fusion surgery include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and failure of the fusion to work. Recovery from spinal fusion surgery can take a while, requiring several months of restricted activity and physical therapy.

Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of spinal fusion surgery with their doctor to determine the right treatment option for their specific condition. In some cases, doctors will recommend non-surgical treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or injections as a first-line treatment.

Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement is a surgical procedure that surgeons perform to replace a damaged or degenerated spinal disc.  When surgeons replace the original danged disc, they replace it with an artificial disc made of metal or plastic. Surgeons recommend the procedure for patients with chronic or severe pain.  In addition, surgeons use the procedure for a disability related to spinal disc problems, such as herniated discs or degenerative disc disease.

During artificial disc replacement surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the problem.  Then the surgeon will use specialized tools to remove the damaged or degenerated disc. After that, the artificial disc gets inserted into the disc space between the affected vertebrae and held in place with small screws or pins. Additionally, our surgeons perform the procedure with the patient under general anesthesia.

Artificial disc replacement will preserve the motion and flexibility of the spine.  This serves as a major advantage over spinal fusion surgery. After artificial disc replacement, patients may resume normal activities and maintain a greater range of motion in the affected area.

Benefits

However, like any surgical procedure, artificial disc replacement is not without risks. Possible risks and complications of artificial disc replacement surgery include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and implant failure. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of artificial disc replacement with their doctor.  This discussion will determine whether it is the right treatment option for their specific condition. Not all patients become good candidates for artificial disc replacement. Doctors believe that patients with significant osteoporosis or significant instability in the spine will not make good candidates for this procedure. Patients should consult with their doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment for their individual situation.

Laminectomy:

Surgeons perform Laminectomies to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the lower back or neck. Doctors typically recommend this procedure for patients with spinal stenosis. This condition appears when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord or nerves, causing pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of function. During a laminectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the problem.  Then the surgeon removes a portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina. The lamina is the flat, thin bone that covers the spinal cord and forms the back wall of the spinal canal. Removing the lamina creates more space in the spinal canal, relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove bone spurs or other tissue that is compressing the spinal cord or nerves.
 

Surgeons perform the procedure when the patient undergoes general anesthesia, which means the patient sleeps during the procedure. After the surgery is complete, the patient goes to the recovery room where he or she gets monitored for several hours before being released to go home.

Benefits

Laminectomy is generally considered a safe and effective procedure, but like any surgical procedure, it is not without risks. Possible risks and complications of laminectomy surgery include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and spinal fluid leaks. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of laminectomy surgery with their doctor.  This discussion will determine whether it is the right treatment option for their specific condition.

 

Microdiscectomy

Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to remove a portion of a herniated or bulging disc. It is typically recommended for patients who do not respond to conservative treatments, such as medications, physical therapy, or injections.

During a microdiscectomy, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back or neck, depending on the location of the problem. Using instruments and a microscope, the surgeon removes a small portion of the vertebral bone to access the affected disc. The surgeon will then carefully remove the herniated or bulging portion of the disc to relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. Unlike traditional open surgery, microdiscectomy requires only a small incision and minimal disruption of surrounding tissue. Finally, this approach can lead to less pain, scarring, and blood loss, and shorter recovery time.

The procedure takes place under general anesthesia, which means the patient sleeps during the procedure. After the completion of the surgery, the incision is closed and the patient is removed to the recovery room.  Then the patient gets monitored for several hours before being released to go home.

Benefits

Doctors consider Microdiscectomy as a safe and effective procedure, but like any surgical procedure, risks need recognition. For instance, these include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and recurrence of the herniated or bulging disc. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of microdiscectomy surgery with their doctor.  That discussion will determine the procedures that will take place.

Choosing a Spine Surgeon

Spine surgeryThe Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute is a private medical practice located in Texas, that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions, including scoliosis, kyphosis, and other spinal deformities. Furthermore, the Institute offers a variety of treatment options, including surgical and non-surgical approaches.

The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute maintains a team of highly experienced and skilled spine surgeons who received specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions. Therefore, they use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

The Institute’s approach to spine surgery centers on the patient, meaning that the doctors and staff approach each patient differently. Moreover, they work closely with their patients to understand their individual needs and goals and develop a customized treatment plan that takes into account the patient’s unique situation, lifestyle, and preferences.

The Institute also offers comprehensive follow-up care and support to its patients.  This includes physical therapy and rehabilitation, to help them recover quickly and fully from their surgery.

Conclusion

For people who need spine surgery and want the very best, they may want to consider The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute.  Wanting and getting the very best spine surgeon is just a phone call away as among our peers, we are considered to be the very bestSo, the reason appears simple: We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions, offer a range of treatment options, maintain a highly experienced team of spine surgeons, and take a patient-centered approach to treatment. As with any medical decision, patients need to make their own research, consult with their doctor, and make informed decisions based on their individual needs and circumstances.

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American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2020). Spine Surgery.

 

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