Back Surgery: Types, Recovery & Considerations

Calendar January 25, 2023
Back Surgery: Types, Recovery & Considerations

Back pain is common, and people experience back pain for many different reasons. In some people, the pain is mild, while in others, it is acute and goes away after a few days or weeks. Some people experience chronic pain that may not go away even after months. Fortunately, doctors use several treatment options, including back surgery, to ease the pain.

Are you in East Texas and suffering from back pain? Azalea Orthopedics is your trusted destination for back surgery and treatment. We have highly trained orthopedic surgeons and pain management specialists who are well-equipped to offer the most comprehensive orthopedic care in the area.

This article discusses the common back surgery types, spine-surgery recovery time, and what you need to consider before seeing a physician.

How Do You Know When You Need Surgery?

Back pain can be acute and resolved with conservative treatment options or some self-care measures. It can also be chronic, which may require more comprehensive treatment, such as back surgery. You may need back surgery after trying several physician-guided, non-surgical treatment approaches, such as physical therapy or medication. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend back surgery to reduce or resolve symptoms.

What Are Some Types of Back Surgery?

Depending on the patient’s diagnosis, back surgery aims to correct the condition or to provide pain relief. Back surgeries vary, as some procedures are minimally invasive, allowing quick recovery, while others are more extensive and thus require longer recovery. Some of the common types of back surgeries include:

Microdiscectomy

Back pain is often caused by herniated discs. During microdiscectomy, the surgeon might remove a portion of the damaged disc or the entire disc. This procedure can help relieve pressure on the nerves and ease associated pain.

Laminectomy

The laminectomy procedure is often used for treating conditions such as spinal stenosis, which is caused by a constriction of the spinal canal. These factors can include wear and tear due to arthritis, aging, injuries, and conditions such as Scoliosis.

Spinal Fusion

A spinal fusion involves permanently joining two or more vertebrae in your spine to create a single unit. This surgery is common in cases of deteriorating non-specific back pain. It involves removing the spinal disc causing compression and replacing the disc with a bone graft or a fusion device secured by screws. Spinal fusion limits motion in the vertebrae which can eliminate the pain caused by bending, twisting, or lifting.

Kyphoplasty

This spinal procedure is used to repair compression fractures of the vertebrae commonly caused by osteoporosis. Kyphoplasty involves using a needle to inject glue-like bone cement to strengthen and bind together the fractured pieces of the bone.

Disc Replacement

This new procedure can be used as an alternative to spinal fusion for young people with no significant arthritis. Disc replacement back surgery involves removing a damaged spinal disc and replacing it with an artificial one.

Spinal Surgery in East Texas

At Azalea Orthopedics, we believe everyone deserves a healthy and comfortable life. For this, we are committed to providing you with the highest standard of orthopedic care in East Texas. We use modern technology and all practical conventional treatment options to improve our patients’ lives. Our staff is friendly and knowledgeable; therefore, feel free to contact us for more information and to schedule an appointment for your back surgery.

 

 

Image credit to Shutterstock user cla78

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