Types of Spinal Surgery

QI Spine Clinic, 2 weeks ago

Spine surgery is an umbrella term comprising several surgeries applicable on various kinds of spine disorders. There is a broad category of spine surgeries, and they are used to treat conditions affecting the spine such as degenerative diseases, or injuries among others. Spine operations vary from minor surgeries meant to help the patient get well soon to others that may take a longer time for the patient to recover. Thus, the surgeon selects the type of spine surgery based on the patient’s condition.  This blog will briefly describe the different types of spinal surgeries and how they are performed. 

Lumbar Decompression

To alleviate compressed nerves in the lower back or lumbar region, a surgery type called lumbar decompression is used.

• Cause: Spinal stenosis, herniated discs or bone spurs cause pressure on the spinal cord and lower back nerves.
• Symptoms: Leg pain, numbness and weakness.
• Surgery Purpose and Outcomes: The main goal of this Surgical procedure for Spinal stenosis is to relieve leg pain, numbness and weakness that may occur as a result of it.
• Surgery Performed / Treatment: This surgical procedure involves removal of part of the bone or disc that presses against the nerves.

Discectomy

Diskectomy refers to the surgical treatment performed on spine for herniated intervertebral disk either by injury or disease.

• Cause: The soft central part of a disc herniates through a crack in its outer ring, pressing on neighboring spinal nerve roots.
• Symptoms: Feeling discomfort or experiencing pain because nerves are irritated.
• Surgery Purpose and Outcomes: This procedure aims at relieving symptoms brought about by nerve compression.
• Surgery Performed / Treatment:  This operation can be performed with several methods, and one of them is the Lumbar Discectomy is one such way this can be done. Aimed at relieving pain and nervous disorders in the lower back area caused by removing the affected disc parts.

Vertebroplasty

A procedure called vertebroplasty involves injecting cement into a fractured or cracked spinal bone to aid with pain relief. This procedure is usually recommended when conservative treatments like bed rest and pain medication have failed.

• Cause: Spinal compression fractures, often due to osteoporosis.
• Symptoms: Pain from fractured vertebrae.
• Surgery Purpose and Outcomes: To stabilize the fractured vertebra and relieve pain.
• Surgery Performed / Treatment: A special bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a technique used to repair compression fractures, which are typically brought on by spinal tumors or osteoporosis. 

• Cause: Similar to vertebroplasty, used for spinal compression fractures.
• Symptoms: Pain and spinal deformity from fractures.
• Surgery Purpose and Outcomes: To stabilize the fracture and correct spinal deformity.
• Surgery Performed / Treatment: Involves inflating a balloon to create a cavity in the vertebra, which is then filled with bone cement.

Spinal fusion

Surgery to fuse two or more bones in any region of the spine is known as spinal fusion.

• Cause: Conditions that cause pain by affecting the spine’s stability, such as degenerative disc disease.
• Symptoms: Persistent pain, instability, and discomfort.
• Surgery Purpose and Outcomes: To join two vertebrae together, relieving pain and enhancing spinal stability.
• Surgery Performed / Treatment: Involves using a bone graft or metal device to fuse the bones and remove the damaged disc.

Types include:

• Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
• Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

Additional Procedures

• Cervical Fusion: Addresses issues in the cervical spine by fusing affected vertebrae to relieve pain and improve stability.
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Utilizes smaller incisions and advanced techniques to reduce recovery time and tissue damage.
• Spinal Disc Replacement: Involves replacing a damaged disc with an artificial one to maintain spinal mobility and relieve pain.
• Spinal Stenosis Surgery: Targets the narrowing of the spinal canal that causes nerve compression and pain.
• Scoliosis Correction: Aims to correct abnormal curvature of the spine, improving alignment and function.
• Microdiscectomy: A minimally invasive form of discectomy that uses a microscope to enhance precision and reduce recovery time.

Conclusion

Spinal surgery is a universal cure for all sorts of spinal conditions ranging from degenerative illnesses to trauma complications. Techniques such as lumbar decompression, cervical fusion, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more are used to address current conditions and health complications, procedures that are geared towards ensuring that the patient minimizes pain, spinal instability, and the overall improvement of their quality of life. At QI Spine Clinic, we focus on non-surgical approaches that can also effectively manage and treat spinal conditions. Understanding both surgical and non-surgical back surgery types can help patients make informed decisions and better manage their spinal health.