Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Lumbar Spine Surgery Techniques

The experience of people undergoing lumbar surgery varies from good to excellent results after the surgery. Some people may get significant relief from pain and restore the funcional movement and strength of their back allowing them to sit, walk, drive and perform their normal activities more easily.

The lumbar spine surgery is a lengthy procedure and takes one to eight hours. There is significant improvement in some patients immediately after the procedure. However, strengthening of weak muscles and soft tissues takes a longer period and requires exercise and physiotherapy. Patients may have to attend comprehensive rehabilitation program for several months to receive complete benefits.

Let us know what are the commonly used lumbar spine surgery techniques:

Lumbar decompression surgery is usually performed from the back throught the following techniques:

Laminotomy – A small incison is made in the lamina to reach disc material through the spinal canal. Laminotomy is usually conducted during a lumbar Minimal Access Spine Technology (MAST) procedure.

Foraminotomy – Foraminotomy is performed when disc material or bone spurs push against the nerve and comes out of the foramen. This procedure makes the foramen opening larger to relieve nerve compressions.

Laminectomy – In this procedure, a part or the entire lamina is removed. Laminectomy is carried out to relieve the compression on spinal cord or reach the disc from the back. It is oftenly used for the treatment of lumbar stenosis -  where the spinal canal becomes narrow due to arthritis.

Discectomy – This refers to surgical removal of the entire part of a disc. Discectomy can be done from the posterior through the abdominal cavity to access the spine.

Facetectomy – In this procedure the facet joint is removed partially or completely. It is carried out to relieve nerve root compression or to reach the disc space.

Lumbar spine surgery is one of the most successful procedures performed by the spine surgeons these days. However, spine surgery for the treatment of lumbar degeneration is carried out only if all other non surgical treatments have failed.

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