Back pain is sometimes treatable without surgery, but surgery may be the best option when the pain is chronic and is becoming unbearable. Spine surgery is highly successful in reducing pain and improving the patient’s quality of life. In a healthy spine, the vertebrae are held together by discs composed of cartilage that act as cushions which absorb shock, such as from walking or running. Each set of two adjacent vertebrae are separated by a protective disc. However, worn-out or damaged discs ... [Read More]
Spinal Fusion
Recovery from a Lumbar Fusion
A lumbar fusion, which is a spinal fusion in the lower back, is a surgical procedure performed to fuse two or more of a patient’s vertebrae together. The surgeon fuses these bones in the back so that they become a single bone, which is done in order to prevent painful symptoms. If you are considering lumbar fusion surgery, you are likely curious about what recovery after the operation is going to be like. How risky is this type of back surgery? Could it create a loss of mobility? Will it take ... [Read More]
Why Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Is Safer Than Regular Surgery
Minimally invasive spinal surgery uses advanced surgical techniques and state-of-the-art technology to treat many spinal conditions. This method of surgery is safer than regular surgery because there is less cutting of skin and nearby tissues, and thereby less blood loss and less time recovering – in addition to several other benefits. How Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Works Minimally invasive spinal surgery is a complex medical procedure that uses specialized equipment and surgical ... [Read More]
Spinal Fusion and Conditions It Treats
Back problems are one of the most debilitating health issues that reduce a person’s quality of life. There are a variety of ways doctors treat back problems. One of them is spinal fusion. Spinal fusion, also known as Spondylosis, is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of back-related problems. This surgical procedure involves bone grafting or using bone-like pieces to bridge the gap between two vertebral segments. This results in a single, sold bone. If you have a back problem, spinal ... [Read More]
What Is Spondylolisthesis?
We tend to think of slippage in the spine in regards to a slipped disc, but spondylolisthesis is when a vertebral bone slips out of alignment in the spine. The farther down it slips, the more discomfort and effects it can cause. If the vertebra places pressure on an adjacent nerve, it can cause a lot of pain. Many people with spondylolisthesis do not even realize they have it, as they remain asymptomatic. When symptoms do happen, they usually manifest as lower back pain that radiates and ... [Read More]