Considering spinal surgery?

• Laminectomy – The removal of a portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina to reduce pressure on a nerve.
• Discectomy – The removal of disc tissue to reduce compression of the nerve tissue.
• Spinal Fusion – The permanent joining of two vertebrae to limit movement at that level.
• Spinal Arthroplasty – The replacement of a damaged disc with an artificial disc, to treat pain and maintain mobility of the joint.

Pain is the most common reason people elect to have spinal surgery. The compression of nerve tissue as it exits the spinal column is what causes that pain. Compression of nerve tissue may be caused by deformities related to injury or disease process.

The primary goal of the spinal surgeries mentioned is to correct these deformities to reduce pain. Chronic pain can be very debilitating and by reducing that pain, spinal surgery can greatly improve a person’s quality of life.

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved when having spinal surgery. Risks vary by patient based on medical history, but more common risks include bleeding and surgical site infection. Your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with you.

Spinal surgery is one option in the management of pain. Most patients that undergo spinal surgery have already attempted treatment through non-surgical options which may have included physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, nerve stimulation, or pain management. Speak with your provider regarding the best treatment for you.