Friday, March 4, 2016

The Available Methods Of Spinal Decompression Conroe Patients May Wish To Know

By Joyce Murray


Back pain occurring after heavy lifting or after blunt trauma to the spine is most likely the result of a displaced intervertebral disc. A displaced disc causes nerve impingement and may even exert pressure on the spinal cord. The resultant pain affects both the back and either the lower or the upper limbs. The solution to this problem is decompression. There are a number of methods of spinal decompression Conroe patients will be happy to know.

When you visit your doctor for a diagnosis, you will be asked to give a history and then you will be taken through a physical examination with a bias of the back and spine. Apart from a displaced disc, the symptoms may also be caused by bony growths or any disorders affecting the connective tissue structures within the spine. Radiographic images in the form of MRIs, CT scans and plain X-rays are some of the most important investigations here.

The methods that are used in relieving pressure on the spine or nerve roots are broadly categorized into two. The first category includes the non-invasive methods (mainly traction) and the second is made up of the surgical options. The general recommendation is that all persons should first be subject to traction before the surgical methods are considered. Traction involves the use of sustained force applied in the direction of the spine.

In the case of displaced discs, when the right amount of force is applied, the intervertebral space is increased and the pressure within this space decreases. The disc slips back into its position and the pressure on the adjacent structures is relieved. A single session takes between 30 minutes and one hour. Since it is performed on an outpatient basis, one can go home on the same day. An average, twenty to twenty five sessions are required over several weeks.

You need to know that are a number of conditions for which traction is contraindicated. One of them is fractures in the lower limb bones and the pelvis. Subjecting these bones to traction is likely to aggravate the injuries. Similar injuries may be in persons who have metallic implants. The other contraindications include pregnancy, severe osteoporosis, pelvic tumors and aortic abdominal aneurysms among others.

There are many different types of operations that are conducted depending on the underlying problem. Each is named based on the structure that is traversed or removed. When the disc is removed, for instance, the operation is referred to as a discectomy. When it is the vertebral body that is removed, a corpectomy is said to have been done. The other types of operations include foraminectomy, laminectomy and osteophyte removal.

There are some complications which may be encountered when one undergoes these surgeries. The good news is that their incidence is fairly low. The immediate ones include bleeding from vessels within the spinal region, infections and injury to the nerve roots. In the long term, the main complication associated with spine operations is instability especially if large bony parts have been removed. Fusion may be needed in some cases.

The main method used in relieving pressure from the spine is traction. Surgery is only considered when traction and other conservative methods fail to yield positive results. It is important that both the doctor and the patient consider the options available and explore both the merits and demerits.




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