By William Young


Conditions that affect the spine are many and varied. Back pain, in particular, is a leading cause of hospital visits. Inter-vertebral disc slippage is one of the well-known causes of back pain. In many of these cases the preceding event is blunt force on the back or lifting of a heavy object. This problem is corrected through spinal decompression. There are a number of important facts on spinal decompression Conroe clients will find informative.

The methods that are used to treat spine problems are divided into two broad groups. The first comprises the non-invasive or conservative options. The most frequently used option here is traction. With traction, a gentle pull is applied on the spinal column with the aim of restoring its natural spaces and angulation. Consequently, if a disc was displaced, it falls back to its position. The pressure on the nerve roots is relieved and so are the symptoms.

Traction is ordinarily offered in the outpatient department. It is a day procedure that is carried out over several sessions. Two harnesses are fitted around the trunk and on the pelvis. A special computer controlled table is used to angulate the table as needed. The force is applied for a period one hour to 30 minutes after which one can go home immediately. An average of twenty five sessions are needed in total.

It is important to mention that traction is unsuitable in a number of situations. It should be avoided as much as possible among pregnancy women. Apart from these women having abnormal spinal mechanics (an exaggerated curvature), the procedure also has a potential to harm the fetus. Other contraindications include, fractures and the presence of prosthetic implants in the limbs. In both cases, the underlying condition is likely to be worsened.

In the event that the conservative methods fail to yield good results, the surgical options are considered. There is a wide variety of operations that can be performed depending on the underlying cause. If the cause is indeed a prolapsed disc, the operation that is performed will be referred to as a discectomy. If the vertebral body is removed, it is termed corpectomy and so on.

If a decision to have surgery is made, you have to be taken through post-operative work up to determine whether you are fit enough. Depending on the spinal level that is affected that operation will be performed under general or regional anesthesia. For instance, is the problem is in the cervical region, you will be subjected to general anesthesia but if it is much lower in the spine (lower lumbar region) spinal anesthesia may be administered.

The surgery may result in some complications that one should anticipate. In the short term, the most frequently encountered complications include nerve injury, bleeding and infections. In the long term, some patients may develop spinal instability especially if more than one vertebral bodies are removed. The management in this case is spinal fusion surgery.

The impingement of nerves that exit the spine at different levels is the main underlying mechanism in many cases of back pain. These nerves are in close proximity to the disc and other bony structures. A displaced disc or broken vertebral body exerts pressure on them leading to back pain that is often referred to the limbs. Understanding this cause and effect relationship is important for one to appreciate the types of treatments employed.




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