dimanche 21 février 2016

The Available Methods Of Spinal Decompression Conroe Patients May Wish To Know

By Joyce Murray


Back pain occurring after heavy lifting or after blunt trauma to the spine is most likely the result of a displaced intervertebral disc. A displaced disc causes nerve impingement and may even exert pressure on the spinal cord. The resultant pain affects both the back and either the lower or the upper limbs. The solution to this problem is decompression. There are a number of methods of spinal decompression Conroe patients will be happy to know.

When you visit your doctor for a diagnosis, you will be asked to give a history and then you will be taken through a physical examination with a bias of the back and spine. Apart from a displaced disc, the symptoms may also be caused by bony growths or any disorders affecting the connective tissue structures within the spine. Radiographic images in the form of MRIs, CT scans and plain X-rays are some of the most important investigations here.

The methods that are used in relieving pressure on the spine or nerve roots are broadly categorized into two. The first category includes the non-invasive methods (mainly traction) and the second is made up of the surgical options. The general recommendation is that all persons should first be subject to traction before the surgical methods are considered. Traction involves the use of sustained force applied in the direction of the spine.

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.

You need to know that are a number of conditions for which traction is contraindicated. One of them is fractures in the lower limb bones and the pelvis. Subjecting these bones to traction is likely to aggravate the injuries. Similar injuries may be in persons who have metallic implants. The other contraindications include pregnancy, severe osteoporosis, pelvic tumors and aortic abdominal aneurysms among others.

There are various types of surgeries that are performed depending on the problem that has been identified. The surgeries are named depending on the component that is cut or removed. Examples include laminectomy, corpectomy, removal of osteophytes, discectomy and foraminectomy. In discectomy, the affected disc is removed in its entirety but everything else is left intact. Corpectomy involves surgical removal of the vertebral body and its associated disc.

There are some complications which may be encountered when one undergoes these surgeries. The good news is that their incidence is fairly low. The immediate ones include bleeding from vessels within the spinal region, infections and injury to the nerve roots. In the long term, the main complication associated with spine operations is instability especially if large bony parts have been removed. Fusion may be needed in some cases.

Non-surgical management (traction) remains the main modality used in decompressing the spine. The surgical options should only come in when the other methods have failed. The doctor and the patient need to explore all the possibilities together before they arrive at the final decision.




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