Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Spinal stenosis surgery three words that strike fear into the hearts of anyone plagued with the pain commonly known as sciatica. Are you feeling tingling, numbness, or weakness radiating from your lower back even as far down as your feet? Maybe it’s heaviness in the legs and you’re unable to keep a vigorous tempo while walking. Is that accompanied by arm pain and a decrease in your ability to use your hands for once effortless activities? Do you experience something akin to an electrical shock going through your arm or hand? If these are your symptoms there’s a good chance that you’re suffering from some form of stenosis.
Whether from injury, arthritis, congenital conditions, or just the process of aging we face deterioration of our joints, ligaments, bones, discs, and muscles. Our spines may also experience the constricting of the spinal canal leading to a pinching of the cervical spinal cord this too resulting in a diagnosis of stenosis. Whether you’re suffering from spinal or cervical stenosis it’s imperative that you see a professional for a legitimate diagnosis and begin treatment.
Assuming that you’ve been properly diagnosed, what are the recommended treatments? In some cases physical therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and medication are the prescribed remedies. However for those that don’t respond to those methodologies, spinal stenosis surgery is recommended. Wait before you go screaming from the room, read on. There have been many advances in spinal stenosis surgery and procedures aren’t as invasive as past methods. First let’s discuss Laminectomy, also known as decompression. This method of spinal stenosis surgery is performed on the lower spine. With this method of spinal stenosis surgery the back part of the affected vertebrae is removed, consequently giving additional space within the spinal canal. The result is the restoration of a regular blood flow to the nerves. This type of spinal stenosis surgery can be done expeditiously and usually on an outpatient basis. Next let’s examine additional methods of spinal stenosis surgery . Like the previous this method also is less invasive. It too boasts short operating room time and typically is an outpatient procedure. Laminoplasty requires less bone removal than Laminectomy and is performed on the neck area. The next method of spinal stenosis surgery is Spinal Fusion. This method of spinal stenosis surgery joins two or more vertebrae via additional bone and the utilization of screws or rods. Over time the bones fuse and can result in stabilization of the spine and pain reduction.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms there’s no need to live in pain. Neither should fear of surgery be a determining factor whether or not you seek professional help. Surgery isn’t always the first choice, but when it is you must believe that great strides have been made in spinal stenosis surgery . If you’ve been told that this is the best solution, do your homework, study the diverse methods of spinal stenosis surgery , find a great surgeon and then look forward to leaving that pain behind!
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