What is spine surgery?
The spine consists of vertebrae (bones), muscles, tendons, and nerves that support and stabilize your body. Damage to any portion of the spine can lead to chronic pain, limited flexibility, and poor mobility.
While nonsurgical solutions are always the first course of action for spinal injuries or degenerative conditions, surgical intervention is sometimes necessary to restore function and relieve chronic pain.
What conditions can spine surgery treat?
Your surgeon at Michigan Pain Specialists may recommend spine surgery to treat:
Herniated disc
The discs in your spine sit in between each vertebra. They cushion the vertebrae and provide mild flexibility for the spine. Each disc consists of a hard shell with a soft center. Damage to the outer casing can lead to cracks, causing the center to push through and irritate surrounding nerves.
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease occurs when the spinal discs begin to thin and break down. Carrying excess weight, smoking cigarettes, suffering sports injuries, and working a physically demanding job can cause the spinal discs to dry out and degenerate.
Vertebral compression fracture
A vertebral compression fracture is a break in the small bony structures of the spine called the vertebrae. Compression fractures commonly occur in individuals with osteoporosis, a chronic condition that causes porous, brittle bones.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis causes lower back pain. The condition results from a vertebra slipping out of place and compressing the bone beneath.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spine that typically occurs over time. As the spinal canal narrows, it compresses the spinal cord, which contains a series of nerves. Spinal stenosis can cause pain in nearly any part of your spine.
How is spine surgery performed?
Spine surgery typically falls into two main categories:
Spinal decompression surgery
Spinal decompression surgery aims to relieve pressure from compressed nerves. Depending on the cause of your nerve compression, your surgeon may remove fragments of bone, tissue, or disc material to free the nerve. This is a minimally invasive procedure that surgeons can perform through small incisions, resulting in less pain and downtime than traditional open surgery.
Fusion surgery
A fusion surgery joins two vertebrae to prevent movement and minimize friction between the bones. This minimally invasive procedure stops unstable vertebrae from irritating surrounding nerves, muscles, or ligaments.
To learn more about spine surgery, call Michigan Pain Specialists today or schedule an appointment online.
