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 options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two major categories. These are the conservative option (traction) and surgical intervention. There is a general recommendation that all patients who require decompression undergo traction first and should only consider surgery if this conservative approach fails to yield results. In this technique, a gentle but steady pulling force is applied onto the spine with the aim of restoring its natural shape.
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.
It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to traction that exist. One of them is a person that has suffered a fracture to a major bone of the limb. There is a huge risk of worsening this injury due to the pulling. The same applies for persons that have metallic implants within the bones. Other conditions for which it is deemed inappropriate include pregnancy, pelvic tumors and advanced osteoporosis.
There are several types of surgeries that are performed in decompression operations. The type that is performed depends on the underlying cause. The surgeries are named depending on the part of the spine that is removed. They include, laminectomy, corpectomy, discectomy, foraminectomy and osteophyte removal among others. Discectomy, for instance, is the removal of the intervertebral disc while corpectomy involves removing the vertebral body (usually with the disc as well).
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.
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 options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two major categories. These are the conservative option (traction) and surgical intervention. There is a general recommendation that all patients who require decompression undergo traction first and should only consider surgery if this conservative approach fails to yield results. In this technique, a gentle but steady pulling force is applied onto the spine with the aim of restoring its natural shape.
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.
It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to traction that exist. One of them is a person that has suffered a fracture to a major bone of the limb. There is a huge risk of worsening this injury due to the pulling. The same applies for persons that have metallic implants within the bones. Other conditions for which it is deemed inappropriate include pregnancy, pelvic tumors and advanced osteoporosis.
There are several types of surgeries that are performed in decompression operations. The type that is performed depends on the underlying cause. The surgeries are named depending on the part of the spine that is removed. They include, laminectomy, corpectomy, discectomy, foraminectomy and osteophyte removal among others. Discectomy, for instance, is the removal of the intervertebral disc while corpectomy involves removing the vertebral body (usually with the disc as well).
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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