Going for back surgery can be an overwhelming decision to make. Surgery is only recommended when less-invasive measures have not worked to alleviate the pain or disability in your back. If you have chronic back pain, your doctor may tell you that you have two main options: spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement. Let’s talk about each of these procedures and how they work to alleviate back pain for good. What Is Spinal Fusion? Spinal fusion is the permanent fusing of two or more a ... [Read More]
Artificial Discs
Recovery from Receiving Artificial Discs
During recovery from back surgery after receiving one or more artificial discs, the healing phase begins. This procedure requires specific recovery strategies after getting discharged from the hospital. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can recover after back surgery involving artificial discs. Take Pain Medication Your doctor will most likely prescribe pain medications to manage your postoperative pain. These medications may include over-the-counter pain medicine, narcotic ... [Read More]
Recovery Time for Artificial Disc Replacement
When a disc deteriorates, it can cause pain that can prevent you from doing your daily activities. Wear and tear and aging are factors that contribute to the damage and degeneration of discs. Damaged discs can lead to numbness, weakness, and tingling sensations in the arms or legs. Initially, damaged discs are treated with nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy, non-inflammatory pain relievers, and rest. However, if this fails to treat your condition, you might be recommended to ... [Read More]
How is artificial disc replacement done?
An artificial disc replacement is a surgery that aims to correct problems with the discs in the spine. Your spine is made up of vertebrae that stack on top of each other to form a canal in which the spinal cord sits. Discs exist between the vertebrae to function as a cushion for the bones and to allow for fluidity in the movement of the spine. Over time, these discs can wear down or move out of place due to overuse, wear and tear, aging, and injuries. Artificial disc replacement involves ... [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]
