The Techniques Used In Spinal Decompression Conroe Clients Should Know

By William Young


Conditions that affect the spine are many and varied. Back pain, in particular, is a leading cause of hospital visits. Inter-vertebral disc slippage is one of the well-known causes of back pain. In many of these cases the preceding event is blunt force on the back or lifting of a heavy object. This problem is corrected through spinal decompression. There are a number of important facts on spinal decompression Conroe clients will find informative.

The methods that are used to treat spine problems are divided into two broad groups. The first comprises the non-invasive or conservative options. The most frequently used option here is traction. With traction, a gentle pull is applied on the spinal column with the aim of restoring its natural spaces and angulation. Consequently, if a disc was displaced, it falls back to its position. The pressure on the nerve roots is relieved and so are the symptoms.

The procedure undertaken during traction is quite straightforward. In most centers, traction is offered to outpatients. A special computerized table is needed to help with positioning. Once the patient has been fitted with harnesses at the pelvis and around the trunk a gentle pulling force is applied. The exercise typically lasts for about 30 minutes. The average number of sessions required to produce positive results is between twenty and twenty five.

You need to understand that traction is not suitable for everyone. There are several situations that make the procedure an inappropriate mode of management for back pain. One of such situations is the existence of long bone fractures in one or both limbs (lower). There is a risk of aggravating such injuries and delaying healing. Other contraindications include the presence of metallic implants, osteoporosis, and pelvic tumors among others.

Surgical decompression is in many cases a last resort intervention. It is considered after all the conservative methods have been exhausted. Many different types of surgeries exist and are named based on the spinal component to be removed. Examples include foraminectomy, laminectomy, discectomy and corpectomy among others. The choice of surgery is primarily determined by the nature of underlying illness.

If a decision to have surgery is made, you have to be taken through post-operative work up to determine whether you are fit enough. Depending on the spinal level that is affected that operation will be performed under general or regional anesthesia. For instance, is the problem is in the cervical region, you will be subjected to general anesthesia but if it is much lower in the spine (lower lumbar region) spinal anesthesia may be administered.

The surgery may result in some complications that one should anticipate. In the short term, the most frequently encountered complications include nerve injury, bleeding and infections. In the long term, some patients may develop spinal instability especially if more than one vertebral bodies are removed. The management in this case is spinal fusion surgery.

The impingement of nerves that exit the spine at different levels is the main underlying mechanism in many cases of back pain. These nerves are in close proximity to the disc and other bony structures. A displaced disc or broken vertebral body exerts pressure on them leading to back pain that is often referred to the limbs. Understanding this cause and effect relationship is important for one to appreciate the types of treatments employed.




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