Before electing to have spine surgery, there are several things to consider. Is surgery necessary to fix the issue, or would a non-surgical course of action be preferable? Is routine spine surgery or minimally invasive spine surgery preferable if surgery is necessary? What are the advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery over conventional spine surgery? 

You are not alone if you’ve had spine surgery that eventually worked out well; it’s a significant source of sadness. Surprisingly often, spine operations don’t provide the outcomes that the patient and surgeon had hoped for.

The disease known as failed back surgery syndrome, or FBSS, affects many people who regrettably continue to have pain even after surgery. It may be tempting to analyze the first surgery in detail to see why it was unsuccessful. Still, more frequently than not, other contributing variables that are unconnected to the initial surgery are the real offenders.

What Is A Back Operation?

Back surgery attempts to alter the patient’s anatomy to treat any discomfort the patient may be experiencing in their back or spine. Back pain can result from a wide range of symptoms and diseases. 

Due to this, various methods are available for you to choose from based on your circumstances. It’s important to discuss your discomfort with your doctor so they can direct you to the best available procedure and therapy options.

What Signs Indicate A Spine Surgery Need?

The initial recommendation is usually for someone who presents with symptoms of an extremity to get checked out by their primary care physician. Whether a person has neck or low back discomfort, the experts will often monitor them over time and advise them to continue engaging in healthy, steady physical activity to see if the problem goes away. 

The next step will be to contact a spine surgeon in Adelaide for an examination if the problem is not resolved with physical exercise, over-the-counter remedies, pain management and anti-inflammatory medications.

Surgery becomes a viable choice if the issue is still not remedied. For instance, surgical intervention is the suggested line of action if a patient has significant limb neurogenic pain and non-surgical therapy has not provided relief.

What Are The Main Distinctions Between Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery And Regular Spine Surgery?

Open spine surgery exposes the whole anatomy as it is now practiced. Less anatomy is exposed during minimally invasive spine surgery, which frequently results in quicker recovery in the weeks immediately after surgery. Doctors often employ extra surgical tools, such as intraoperative spinal navigation, during minimally invasive spine surgery. As a result, the surgeon has better sight into exposed surgical sites.

The long-term objectives are the same for both minimally invasive and conventional treatments: to improve symptoms or halt deterioration. The treatments ultimately lead to reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, decreased infection rates, and quicker recovery weeks after surgery. Patients with minimally invasive surgery often experience a faster recovery, but not every patient or medical condition is suitable for this procedure.

Types of Spine Surgery

Laserdisc Maintenance

Using an endoscope, a small tube with a light and camera attached, the surgeon may do the minimally invasive Laser Disc Repair operation without removing any supporting joints, bones, or ligaments. The operation has undergone peer review and publication as a safe and effective FDA-approved therapy for back pain caused by annular rips, herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative discs, and spinal stenosis.

Surgery For Spinal Fusion Or Spinal Arthroplasty

A bone graft joins vertebral segments during a spinal fusion to halt mobility at one or more vertebrae. When a vertebra is “fused,” the bone graft implanted there develops to connect the two segments. Bone grafts are harvested from the patient’s hip during surgery, or they might be made in advance or from the bone of a corpse. Unfortunately, bone transplants can lead to unintended problems following spine surgery.

Surgery For Laminotomies

The lamina and connected ligaments, which are located on the rear (posterior) half of the vertebrae and make up the vertebral arch in your spine, are the focus of this technique, also known as “open decompression,” which is used to treat spinal stenosis. 

Once the surgeon gets access to the vertebra, they take out the ligaments and lamina of the spine and any bone spurs or pieces that could pressure nearby nerves. Sadly, laminectomy and laminotomy do not alleviate neck or back discomfort and rather aggravate them.

Treatment Options For Back Pain Without Surgery

An operation is not always required. Home cures, complementary therapies, and lifestyle modifications are additional therapy modalities that help reduce or eliminate back pain. Before choosing surgery, a person might want to explore these possibilities. 

• Spinal Adjustment: Chiropractic manipulation, also known as spinal manipulation, is moving, massaging, or stimulating the spine with the hands. However, not everyone may safely undergo spinal manipulation, particularly those with osteoporosis, arthritis, or spinal cord issues. These procedures should only be carried out by a qualified and certified professional at Adelaide Neurosurgery Centre and might be your one-stop solution.
• Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine includes acupuncture. Acupuncturists inject tiny needles into specific points on the body. People use acupuncture to treat various conditions, including chronic pain and illnesses.
• Exercise: Even though being active might be challenging for someone dealing with pain, movement is one of the finest all-natural remedies for various pain conditions. Studies have long demonstrated that exercise releases endorphins. These chemical compounds in the brain help to lessen pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. This has a negligible effect similar to that of opioid analgesics.

Now You Know

Although back pain can be debilitating, spinal surgery does not necessarily guarantee a cure. A good surgeon won’t promise a cure but will promise surgery designed to treat the underlying cause of your problem. Adelaide Neurosurgery Centre uses less invasive techniques than those in the past, providing patients with more comfort and mobility while the patients recover.