Surgical Options for a Stable Spine

While there are many different nonsurgical solutions for back pain, it is still important for any patient to see a specialist before making a decision. Patients should ask their general practitioner or any medical professional to recommend a specialist that they work well with. Then the specialist can discuss different methods of treatment and come up with a course of action.

One of the reasons a person may be experiencing back pain is because they are suffering from lumbar spine degeneration. If you fall within the age group of 30 to 60, you have a 15% chance of developing a lower back injury in your lifetime. And in most cases, as much as an 80% chance that your pain will return even after surgery.

Spinal Fusion Surgery permanently connects two or more vertebrae in your spine to improve stability, correct a deformity or reduce pain. Your doctor may recommend spinal fusion to treat: Deformities of the spine (such as scoliosis). Displaced vertebrae from bone cancer. Spinal fusion can help prevent bone cancer from spreading. Spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis can cause bones, ligaments or tendons to overgrow and press on nerves leading to leg pain and numbness. Correcting spinal stenosis with spinal fusion may reduce or eliminate the back and leg pain you are experiencing. Vertebral collapse. Fusing some vertebrae can stabilize your spine and relieve the load on other parts of your back. Vertebral collapse is usually due to osteoporosis, which weakens bones in the spine until they collapse. Displaced fractures that affect your ability to walk.

The TLIF procedure has been around for several decades, and it has proven to be an excellent treatment method for the majority of lumbar patients looking to reduce their back pain. This shouldn’t be confused with any other surgical procedure. It is part of a spinal fusion procedure. The best analogy I can give you is that it’s like making a beautiful picture frame out of gold. The surgeon will screw in some rods and screws to “attach” the bones that have been separated by a spinal fracture or injury. Once the hardware is in place, then your doctor will fuse those bones together using bone graft material so that they heal as one piece.

For over thirty-five years, Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery has proven results. A minimally-invasive approach is necessary to avoid the damage that can occur during spine surgery. Traditional open back surgery often requires a twelve to fourteen inch incision in order to reshape the bones and muscles of your lower back. Spinal fusion requires permanently joining two or more of your vertebrae together with bone grafts or artificial discs.

Spinal Fusion Surgery is used to treat spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, or to relieve back pain. Spinal fusion surgery involves joining two or more vertebrae with a bone graft and metal implants to create a solid connection between the bones. During the procedure, your surgeon will insert a device called an interbody graft to fill the space created between the vertebrae. Fusing vertebrae can help stabilize your spine and relieve pressure on the discs and nerve roots.