Back pain is one of the commonest causes of hospital visits and reduced productivity at the work place. The causes for this complaint are numerous but appear to relate to connective tissue elements of the spine that include the muscles, bones and ligaments. Compression of nerve roots by any of these elements results in pain of varying degrees at the lower back region and the lower limbs. There are a number of options of spinal decompression Conroe patients need to be aware of.
The methods that are used are broadly categorized into non-surgical (conservative) and surgical options. The technique that is used in the non-surgical option is traction. It entails the use of a gentle traction force along the spinal column with the aim of restoring the anatomical position. If done right, pressure on the affected nerves is relieved and the pain subsides. This technique has been found to produce the best results if the cause of the problem is a displaced intervertebral disc.
Traction is a simple procedure that is usually done in the office without the need for admission. A special, computer-controlled table is required for this exercise. With your clothes on, one harness is fitted onto your pelvis and another around the trunk. These harnesses are what are used to transmit the required traction force onto the spinal column. The computer is used to generate the force required for each specific case. The entire exercise takes 30 to 45 minutes and one needs 20 to 25 sessions.
There are a number of circumstances in which the risks of performing traction are likely to outweigh the benefits. Persons that have sustained fractures on the pelvic bones or the lower limbs should not be subjected to the procedure as their injuries are likely to worsen. Large abdominal tumors are also at risk of bleeding and spreading. Other contraindications include spine metallic implants, advanced osteoporosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms among others.
Surgical spinal decompression is considered as a last resort. There are several types of surgeries that can be performed. The choice is determined by a number of factors that include patient preference, type and severity of underlying condition as well as the surgical skill of your doctor. They include laminectomy, osteophyte removal, discectomy, corpectomy and foraminectomy among others. Each has associated advantages and disadvantages.
Discectomy involves the removal of a portion of the intervertebral disc to as to relieve the pressure on the compressed nerves. This may be done as an open procedure or by use of endoscopic techniques. In laminectomy, the arch of a vertebral body (lamina) is cut and removed to create room. Corpectomy involves the removal of a vertebral body together with the disc. Foraminectomy is used when there is a need to expand the nerve root openings.
There are several complications that may occur after the operation. They include excessive bleeding, infection and damage of nerves at the surgical site. The main long term complication is instability due to removal of connective tissue elements. Often times, there is a need to preform spinal fusion surgery so as to restore the initial stability.
Non-surgical management is by far the main modality of achieving decompression. If the conservative methods fail to relieve the symptoms then surgery can be considered. The doctor and the patient should collectively arrive at this decision after going through the benefits and the risks involved.
The methods that are used are broadly categorized into non-surgical (conservative) and surgical options. The technique that is used in the non-surgical option is traction. It entails the use of a gentle traction force along the spinal column with the aim of restoring the anatomical position. If done right, pressure on the affected nerves is relieved and the pain subsides. This technique has been found to produce the best results if the cause of the problem is a displaced intervertebral disc.
Traction is a simple procedure that is usually done in the office without the need for admission. A special, computer-controlled table is required for this exercise. With your clothes on, one harness is fitted onto your pelvis and another around the trunk. These harnesses are what are used to transmit the required traction force onto the spinal column. The computer is used to generate the force required for each specific case. The entire exercise takes 30 to 45 minutes and one needs 20 to 25 sessions.
There are a number of circumstances in which the risks of performing traction are likely to outweigh the benefits. Persons that have sustained fractures on the pelvic bones or the lower limbs should not be subjected to the procedure as their injuries are likely to worsen. Large abdominal tumors are also at risk of bleeding and spreading. Other contraindications include spine metallic implants, advanced osteoporosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms among others.
Surgical spinal decompression is considered as a last resort. There are several types of surgeries that can be performed. The choice is determined by a number of factors that include patient preference, type and severity of underlying condition as well as the surgical skill of your doctor. They include laminectomy, osteophyte removal, discectomy, corpectomy and foraminectomy among others. Each has associated advantages and disadvantages.
Discectomy involves the removal of a portion of the intervertebral disc to as to relieve the pressure on the compressed nerves. This may be done as an open procedure or by use of endoscopic techniques. In laminectomy, the arch of a vertebral body (lamina) is cut and removed to create room. Corpectomy involves the removal of a vertebral body together with the disc. Foraminectomy is used when there is a need to expand the nerve root openings.
There are several complications that may occur after the operation. They include excessive bleeding, infection and damage of nerves at the surgical site. The main long term complication is instability due to removal of connective tissue elements. Often times, there is a need to preform spinal fusion surgery so as to restore the initial stability.
Non-surgical management is by far the main modality of achieving decompression. If the conservative methods fail to relieve the symptoms then surgery can be considered. The doctor and the patient should collectively arrive at this decision after going through the benefits and the risks involved.
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