Spine Surgery: Types, Recovery & Considerations

The spine gives our body strength and stability on the move every time. Additionally, our spinal cord is protected by the spinal vertebrae (bones). So, a qualified orthopedic surgeon must handle any issues with our spine because of its complexity. In order to treat your pain or crippling back problems, minimally invasive methods like pain injections will be used first.

If these treatment is not working, an orthopedist might do minimally invasive spine surgery. Many patients who suffer from debilitating back and neck disorders may find that spine surgery is a helpful remedy. Modern surgical methods, such as minimally invasive spine surgery, are sometimes more effective than conventional “open” spine surgery.

Types of Neck Surgery

• Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty: Compression fractures of the vertebrae brought on by osteoporosis are treated using these techniques. Both methods include injecting a bone-hardening substance (similar to glue) into the affected area.
• Discectomy: This procedure is used to remove the disc when a disc has herniated and is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. Laminectomy and discectomy are often carried out in tandem.
• Spinal laminectomy or decompression: This is done when spinal stenosis leads to a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes pain, numbness, or weakness. In order to widen the spinal column and relieve pressure on the nerves, the surgeon removes any bone spurs as well as the bony walls of the vertebrae.
• Foraminotomy: During this treatment, the surgeon enlarges the bone hole. Where a nerve root leaves the spinal canal in order to prevent pushing discs or joints that have become thicker with aging from doing so.
• Spinal fusion: The surgeon removes the spinal disc and then utilizes bone grafts or metal implants fastened with screws to fuse the adjacent vertebrae. A significant recovery period is necessary after spinal fusion to give the bone grafts time to develop and fuse the vertebrae together. This procedure may cause some loss of spine flexibility.
• Nucleoplasty(Plasma disc decompression): People with low back discomfort brought on by a moderately herniated disc can be treated with this laser surgery using radiofrequency energy. The doctor places a needle inside the disc. The needle is then put into a plasma laser device, which is heated at the tip. This reduces the size of the disc and releases pressure on the nerves by vaporizing the tissue within it.
• Artificial disk replacement: For the treatment of patients with severely damaged discs, this is seen as an alternative to spinal fusion. The disc is taken out during the treatment, and it is replaced with a synthetic disc that aids in restoring height and movement between the vertebrae.

Recovery time

It’s crucial to understand every facet of the process and its after-effects if you are a candidate for spine surgery. The time needed for recovery following spine surgery is one of the most crucial concerns to which patients should know the answers. The type of surgery and the length of recovery vary for different people. There are two types of back surgery, those that immobilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together and those that do not.

When compared to back operations that solely include decompression or mobility preservation, recovery from fusion surgery can take longer. The length of time needed to recover from a certain surgery can be further discussed with your doctor. However, it’s crucial for patients to think about both the rehabilitation process and the results.

Following physical therapy, the following effects are seen:

• An increase in blood flow.
• The healing of sutures and soft tissues.
• An improvement in bone growth.
• An increase in muscle strength.
• The restoration of the spine’s physiological movements.
• The synchronization of activity in all parts of the body.
• The activation of global muscles.
• The prevention of secondary diseases.

For instance, back surgery that involves spinal fusion and decompression of the spine has always been done together. Restrictions are placed on the patient’s movements and activities as part of the healing process. It is to enable the separate vertebral bodies to fuse organically together and form one long, inflexible segment devoid of motion.

When should you consider the surgery?

Surgery will be advised right away in certain circumstances, such as acute spine injury. However, in the majority of back and neck pain situations, your spine surgeon would advise controlling your pain with conservative measures first.

Spine surgery is typically only suggested after more conservative treatments have been attempted and failed to sufficiently relieve discomfort. It’s crucial to remember that conservative treatments don’t always provide a rapid remedy. They may need to be used for a number of weeks before improvements can be visible.

Your surgeon may advise the following conservative therapy for back and neck pain:

• Oral anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Massage and physical therapy
• Steroid injections or other non-surgical methods of pain management
• Patient lifestyle adjustments include weight loss, quitting smoking, and managing medical disorders like diabetes and hypertension

Spine surgery in India

You can find affordable rates for treatment in most of the best spine hospital in India which has a reputation for innovation and excellence. Spine surgeons carry out extensive and complicated spine surgeries. The spine surgery units at the facilities are made up of a group of spine specialists who treat spinal illnesses, tumors, and deformities. You can also find a specialist in pain management and physical therapy. At some hospitals, the most recent procedures, such as minimally invasive and robotic surgery, have been performed. Back pain and spinal problems can be treated using the whole spectrum of therapeutic approaches.

Final Thoughts

Pain relief and edema reduction in the operated area are the purposes of therapy and rehabilitation procedures. In order to reduce post-operative complications, surgeons recommend to their patients a set of medications and treatments. Following spinal surgery, it’s crucial to walk, but you must start off cautiously. Adhere to your surgeon’s recommendations for how far you should walk. Avoid physically demanding sports like jogging or golfing, as well as household chores like gardening and housework that strain the back.