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.
You will need to undergo evaluation by your doctor (or orthopedic specialist) to confirm that indeed it is the disc that has slipped and the symptoms are not due to anything else. Apart from giving a clinical history about the onset and progression of your condition, you will be subjected to a number of radiological images. These include a CT scan, an MRI or a plain radiograph (X-ray image).
The options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two broad categories; non-surgical (the main method here is traction) and the surgical options. It is recommended that patients should first try out traction before they go under the knife. In traction, a gentle steady force is applied on the spine with the aim of restoring its intrinsic force and shape.
The force that is exerted on the spine leads to an increase in the size of the intervertebral disc. There is also an accompanying reduction in pressure. As a result, any structure that may have been displaced, falls back into its original position. The compression on nerves is relieved and so are the symptoms. A single session lasts between thirty minutes and an hour. Twenty to twenty five sessions are needed.
There are several contraindications of traction that exist. One of such situations is the presence of fracture to a major lower limb bone. Applying a pulling force on such limbs is likely to aggravate the fractures and should be avoided. A similar scenario may be experienced for limbs that have metallic implants within them. The other conditions for which traction is deemed inappropriate include advanced osteoporosis, pregnancy and pelvic tumors among others.
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.
The main method used in relieving pressure from the spine is traction. Surgery is only considered when traction and other conservative methods fail to yield positive results. It is important that both the doctor and the patient consider the options available and explore both the merits and demerits.
You will need to undergo evaluation by your doctor (or orthopedic specialist) to confirm that indeed it is the disc that has slipped and the symptoms are not due to anything else. Apart from giving a clinical history about the onset and progression of your condition, you will be subjected to a number of radiological images. These include a CT scan, an MRI or a plain radiograph (X-ray image).
The options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two broad categories; non-surgical (the main method here is traction) and the surgical options. It is recommended that patients should first try out traction before they go under the knife. In traction, a gentle steady force is applied on the spine with the aim of restoring its intrinsic force and shape.
The force that is exerted on the spine leads to an increase in the size of the intervertebral disc. There is also an accompanying reduction in pressure. As a result, any structure that may have been displaced, falls back into its original position. The compression on nerves is relieved and so are the symptoms. A single session lasts between thirty minutes and an hour. Twenty to twenty five sessions are needed.
There are several contraindications of traction that exist. One of such situations is the presence of fracture to a major lower limb bone. Applying a pulling force on such limbs is likely to aggravate the fractures and should be avoided. A similar scenario may be experienced for limbs that have metallic implants within them. The other conditions for which traction is deemed inappropriate include advanced osteoporosis, pregnancy and pelvic tumors among others.
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.
The main method used in relieving pressure from the spine is traction. Surgery is only considered when traction and other conservative methods fail to yield positive results. It is important that both the doctor and the patient consider the options available and explore both the merits and demerits.
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