When Is Spine Surgery Necessary?

Oh, your aching back! If you’re in pain, you may wonder if spine surgery is the answer to your problem. In some cases, it may be.

Many people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Getting older, being in an accident, and just regular wear and tear can all contribute to the discomfort. Often conservative treatment—such as pain relief medication, massage, and physical therapy—can provide relief. However, there are times when surgery is the only way combat spinal issues.

Consider these conditions.

· Bone fracture: If you have sustained an injury to your spine, your doctor may suggest that the affected areas be fused together. This may require the use of bone grafts, screws, rods, or metal plates.

· Scoliosis: This condition is a curvature of your spine. If you suffer from it and your nerves are being compressed, surgery may be a good option.

· Spinal stenosis: Arthritis can often cause this narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the spinal cord. Spinal fusion can increase your spine’s stability, and spinal decompression can relieve the pressure.

· Kyphosis: This condition is marked by a rounded, humpback formation. If it is very painful or it is causing paralysis, spinal fusion may be the best way to correct it.

· Herniated disc: If one of your spinal discs slips out of position and irritates a nerve, you can feel extreme pain. Conservative treatment can often be successful, but if it is not, disc repair may be the answer.

· Spondylosis: General wear and tear can cause cartilage to break down, eventually developing bone spurs on your spine. Surgery can help if you have nerve damage and conservative treatment has not worked.

At North Hills Hospital, our Orthopedic Surgery Center offers a wide range of microscopic and minimally invasive spine procedures that may bring you relief. We are one of only two hospitals in the region to offer the O-arm Surgical Navigation System for spine surgery, which provides your surgeon with real-time multi-plane images for guidance.

“Spine surgery is nothing like it used to be, even five years ago,” explains Dr. Jeff Phelps, Medical Director of Spine Surgery at North Hills Hospital. “Today microscopic incisions and the use of minimally invasive techniques get patients back to their lives quicker than thought possible before.”

We also provide pre-operative education and rehabilitation information, so you will be fully prepared. Our medical team—which includes orthopedic surgeons, nurses, dieticians, and physical therapists—will help you understand what to expect from the surgery and the subsequent recovery.

If you think that spine surgery may help your condition, contact the Orthopedic Surgery Center at North Hills Hospital. Visit us online or use our physician referral directory. Serving North Richland Hills and Northeast Tarrant County, we want to ease your pain.

Sources:

North Hills Hospital

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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