Thursday, January 29, 2015

Spinal Decompression Conroe: A Brief Description

By Ines Flores


It all starts with pain, feelings of weakness or numbness in the leg, which gets worse than back pain. The situation does not get better with medication or physical therapy. These symptoms are followed by difficulty in walking or standing which significantly affects quality of life. If diagnostic tests show stenosis in the central canal of the spine, it is time to go for a spinal decompression Conroe, TX.

There are two types of this decompression therapy-non-surgical and surgical. Non surgical procedures are based on a mechanical force and therefore are not invasive. A fully dressed patient lies on a computerized on-board that controls the angle and force of disc distraction. After applying the right traction force at the right angle, the force causes the resistance of the body to external forces or muscle spasms to reduce.

Nonsurgical therapy is considered safe because it is not invasive. Each session may last 30 to 45 minutes and 20 to 28 treatment sessions span over five to seven weeks are required. The therapy may be accompanied by electrical stimulation, ultrasound or heat/cold therapy. Stretching the spine gently over time helps to retract bulging or hibernated disks.

Surgical spine decompression refers to a number of surgical procedures performed to alleviate the symptoms caused by compression or pressure on their spine cord. The incision can be made from any point along the spine. Loosened ligaments, bulged or collapsed disks, thickened joints and bony outgrowths are responsible for the pressure which leads to a narrower canal and irritation of nerve endings.

One of the surgical decompression procedures is referred to as a disketomy. It involves removing some portions of its disk to relieve pressure on adjacent nerve roots. On the other hand, laminotomy removes parts of bony arches known as the lamina. Some cases may require the whole lamina part removed to increase the space in the canal and relieve pressure.

Foraminotomy or foraminectomy refers to any general surgical procedure which removes a large amount of bone and tissue. The procedure aims to increase the space for the nerve roots to exit the cord. Osteophyte removal is the surgical procedure for removing bony growths also called osteophytes or bone spurs. Lastly, corpectomy removes the body of the vertebra and disks. In some cases, more than one procedure may be used or the vertebrae fused to cause stabilization of the spine.

Spinal decompression surgery is not without risks. A patient may suffer infection, blood clots and bleeding. Other patients suffer nerve damage or react to anesthesia. However, it is a relatively safe procedure and relieves pressure and reduces pain in 80% to 90% of cases. However, it does not rectify the degeneration of the vertebrae as a result of old age. Therefore, problems may always recur.

It is a generally accepted fact that both the invasive and non-invasive treatment options help in alleviating pressure and pain. It is advisable to get the treatment in a well equipped set up as there is a high level of risk involved. In addition, the doctor should be trained and experienced.




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