Many people struggle with back pain and sciatica. Whether you are having a lumbar fusion spur grow on your cervical spine, or whether you are having persistent pain from ruptured discs in your lumbar spine, it can be a nightmare to deal with. The purpose of this article is to discuss why you might want to consider spinal surgery. Many people want to avoid the surgeon and would prefer a less invasive approach. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider spinal surgery:
1. Narrowing of the spinal canal
If you are experiencing significant narrowing of the spinal canal and your symptoms are not easily managed with conservative measures, then you might want to consider surgery to decompress or fuse the spinal canal. The main focus of the surgery will be to relieve pain and improve function.
2. Compressed nerves
The type of nerve compression that you are having is commonly known as radiculopathy . This can cause a great deal of pain, numbness and tingling in your extremities. Irregularly shaped bones, associated with arthritis , can also compress nerves, leading to electrical changes in the nervous system. Therefore surgical decompression is an effective treatment for radiculopathy.
3. Compromised blood supply
The blood supply to the spinal canal, spinal cord and nerve roots can be compromised with narrowing of the spinal canal. This leads to a loss in oxygenation, nutrition and hydration of the nerve roots. In addition, pressure on nerves and on the dura (the covering of the spinal cord) can cause scar tissue formation leading to further narrowing of the canal. Surgery may be needed in these situations to gain access to the tissues that are impeding circulation within the spine.
4. Neurological changes
Neurological changes that result from the narrowing of the spinal canal can be permanent. These include weakness, numbness, decreased sensation, and abnormal reflexes. Surgery may be needed to prevent these deficits from getting worse. Surgery may also be indicated in cases of loss of bladder control, bowel control, and sexual dysfunction.
5. Spinal stenosis with disc herniation
When a disc becomes herniated, it can pin the nerves to the point where they exit the spinal canal. This can lead to motor abnormalities, numbness, and pain. Spinal surgery can be done to decompress the nerves.
Spinal surgery can provide relief from chronic pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. It is wise to discuss your options with your doctor in order to determine if surgery is right for you
