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.
You will need to undergo evaluation by your doctor (or orthopedic specialist) to confirm that indeed it is the disc that has slipped and the symptoms are not due to anything else. Apart from giving a clinical history about the onset and progression of your condition, you will be subjected to a number of radiological images. These include a CT scan, an MRI or a plain radiograph (X-ray image).
The options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two broad categories; non-surgical (the main method here is traction) and the surgical options. It is recommended that patients should first try out traction before they go under the knife. In traction, a gentle steady force is applied on the spine with the aim of restoring its intrinsic force and shape.
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.
It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to traction that exist. One of them is a person that has suffered a fracture to a major bone of the limb. There is a huge risk of worsening this injury due to the pulling. The same applies for persons that have metallic implants within the bones. Other conditions for which it is deemed inappropriate include pregnancy, pelvic tumors and advanced osteoporosis.
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.
You will need to undergo evaluation by your doctor (or orthopedic specialist) to confirm that indeed it is the disc that has slipped and the symptoms are not due to anything else. Apart from giving a clinical history about the onset and progression of your condition, you will be subjected to a number of radiological images. These include a CT scan, an MRI or a plain radiograph (X-ray image).
The options that are employed in decompressing the spine fall under two broad categories; non-surgical (the main method here is traction) and the surgical options. It is recommended that patients should first try out traction before they go under the knife. In traction, a gentle steady force is applied on the spine with the aim of restoring its intrinsic force and shape.
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.
It is important to note that there are a number of contraindications to traction that exist. One of them is a person that has suffered a fracture to a major bone of the limb. There is a huge risk of worsening this injury due to the pulling. The same applies for persons that have metallic implants within the bones. Other conditions for which it is deemed inappropriate include pregnancy, pelvic tumors and advanced osteoporosis.
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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