If pain, numbness, or weakness from spinal problems persists despite months of physical therapy, surgery may be recommended. Back surgeries are typically performed using a minimally invasive technique to reduce recovery time.
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions to expose the anatomy. This allows the surgeon to perform procedures more precisely and with less risk of complication.
Discectomy
The surgery removes a herniated portion of one or more vertebral discs that may be causing pain, weakness or numbness by pressing on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The procedure can be done from the front of your spine (cervical), mid-back (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar).
During this operation, your surgeon makes a 1- to 2-inch skin incision down the center of your back and moves your overlying muscles to one side. A tubular retractor is inserted to produce a portal through which the surgeon can perform the surgery.
Using a special surgical tool, the surgeon creates a small window in your vertebral lamina — the bony portion that forms the posterior wall of the spinal canal — and releases the compressed area by removing a section of the bone (laminotomy). Your doctor may use different types of laminar removal techniques depending on your case. After the surgery, most people have less pain and can move more easily.송파정형외과
Disc Replacement
The intervertebral discs found between the bones of your spine help keep your back flexible and provide support. If you have a damaged spinal disc, you may need a surgical procedure to restore your spinal flexibility and relieve pain.척추관절병원
In this procedure, your surgeon replaces the damaged spinal disc with an artificial disc implant. Your spine will have a similar structure to before, but you will have more flexibility and less stress on your spine.
Under general anesthesia, your spine surgeon will make an incision (cut) in your abdomen. Your surgeon will then move your organs out of the way to access your spine. The damaged lumbar (lower) disc is removed and the new artificial disk is inserted.
You will stay in the hospital for a day or two after surgery. Once you are stable, your doctor will encourage you to start standing and walking to promote healing. You will likely need to wear a supportive brace for comfort and stability.
Spinal Stabilization
When a spine condition such as spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis prevents the flow of oxygen to your brain and body, your surgeon may recommend stabilization surgery. This can help relieve back pain and improve function.
Your UPMC spine surgeon will use hardware such as screws and plates to fuse your backbones together. This can be done through a minimally invasive procedure or traditional open surgery.
Your doctor will remove the part of your spine that is pressing on your nerves and then put in irradiated cadaver bone secured with rods and screws. These will hold your bones together until they fuse, which takes place when the bone and graft grow into one piece of bone. This procedure is often combined with decompression which is a minimally invasive surgery performed to take pressure off the spinal cord and nerves. This helps speed healing. Your doctor can also perform motion-preserving techniques such as dynamic stabilization, which allows some movement of your spine’s joints and discs.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is the procedure in which your back surgeon induces two or more spinal vertebrae to grow together as one solid unit by placing bone or a bone-like material into different spaces between them. The fusion is aided by the use of metal plates, screws or cages. In addition, your doctor may remove some of the back muscles to access the spine and to relieve pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord.
Your surgeon will make an incision on your back or side (depending on your procedure). Using the tools through this incision, they will move the muscle and bones to expose the spine. They will then transplant a section of bone from elsewhere in your body, or from a bone bank. They will secure the graft with screws, plates and rods. This will prevent the bone from moving too much and causing pain or putting pressure on the spinal nerves. In some cases, the doctors will use a bone-like implant made of tantalum with a porous structure that allows the spine to grow directly into it.