What is spine surgery?
Your spine includes bones, tendons, muscles, nerves, and other tissues. It encloses your spinal cord, beginning at the base of your skull and extending to your tailbone. Common causes of spine pain include:
- Arthritis
- Nerve damage
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Osteoporosis
- Tumors
- Scoliosis
- Other spine abnormalities
If conservative treatments, such as injections, home remedies, bracing, or physical therapy, haven’t worked to relieve your discomfort, you could be a candidate for spine surgery.
What are the different types of spine surgeries?
Some of the different spine surgeries available at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County include:
Cervical (neck) decompression and fusion
During cervical decompression and fusion, your specialist removes a spinal disc and places a spacer in its place, along with a plate for added stability. You may need this procedure because of spinal cord or nerve compression in your neck and the pain associated with it.
Lumbar (back) decompression
Lumbar decompression is a spine surgery in which your specialist removes bone and ligaments to reduce nerve compression and pain.
Lumbar (back) microdiscectomy
During a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure, your surgeon removes a herniated disc that presses on a painful nerve. The procedure reduces shooting pain and other types of ongoing discomfort.
Lumbar (back) fusion
Lumbar fusion for spinal instability is a procedure that relieves severe nerve compression. Your surgeon accesses your spine from your side, back, or abdomen. They remove a spinal disc and insert a spacer in its place.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a spine surgery in which your specialist injects cement into a collapsed bone because of a vertebral compression fracture. When the cement hardens, it stabilizes the fracture and reduces pain.
Sacroiliac joint fusion
During sacroiliac joint fusion, your orthopedic surgeon places metal implants across your sacroiliac joint to eliminate instability and reduce pain. Your sacroiliac joints connect your pelvis to your lower spine.
Is spine surgery right for me?
Your Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County provider lets you know if you’re a candidate for spine surgery after discussing your symptoms and medical history with you. They complete a physical examination and nerve tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, or other imaging procedures as needed.
If conservative treatments haven’t worked to reduce your discomfort, spine surgery could be the best option for you.
To learn more about spine surgery at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County and find out if it’s right for you, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.