By Andrew Hall


Back pain is one of the commonest reasons for hospital visits all over the world. This complaint is of great significance bearing in mind that it is a leading cause of absenteeism from work. The pain is caused by disorders affecting spine components such as the vertebral bodies, the muscles and ligaments. When these elements compress on nerves in the region there is resultant pain that may extend to the lower limbs. There are several options of spinal decompression Conroe residents may want to try out.

The methods that are used are broadly categorized into non-surgical (conservative) and surgical options. The technique that is used in the non-surgical option is traction. It entails the use of a gentle traction force along the spinal column with the aim of restoring the anatomical position. If done right, pressure on the affected nerves is relieved and the pain subsides. This technique has been found to produce the best results if the cause of the problem is a displaced intervertebral disc.

Traction is applied over several sessions on outpatient basis. With your clothes on, the doctor will position you on an adjustable table and fit a harness around the pelvis and around the trunk. The required force is generated by a computer so that you get just what is necessary in your case. On average, 20 to 25 sessions are required for correction of the problem.

There are a number of contraindications to this procedure that exist. One of them is the presence of fractures of the pelvis and the lower limbs. The traction force applied has the potential to exacerbate the injury and delay healing. Persons with huge abdominal tumors should also not be subjected to the procedure due to the risk of spreading and bleeding. Other contraindications include abdominal aortic aneurysms, advanced osteoporosis and the presence of metallic spinal implants.

Surgical spinal decompression is considered when the non-surgical option has failed to yield positive results. There are different types of surgeries that can be performed depending on the exact cause of the problem, patient preference and the surgical skill of the doctor. They include discectomy, laminectomy, foraminectomy, osteophyte removal and corpectomy. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages.

Discectomy is the surgical removal of the intervertebral disc to free compressed structures. This can be achieved as an open procedure or by use of endoscopy. Laminectomy entails removal of varying sizes of the lamina (forms part of the arch of a vertebral body). This helps to relieve any pressure that may exist. Corpectomy is removal of a vertebral body and an intervertebral disc while foraminectomy is the expansion of the opening used by exiting nerves.

You need to be aware of a number of complications that may be encountered during or after the surgery. In the immediate post-operative period, they include bleeding, infection and damage to nerve roots. In the intermediate and remote post-operative period the commonest complication is spinal instability. Spinal fusion may be needed in severe cases.

Non-surgical management is by far the main modality of achieving decompression. If the conservative methods fail to relieve the symptoms then surgery can be considered. The doctor and the patient should collectively arrive at this decision after going through the benefits and the risks involved.




About the Author:



0 comments :