Surgical Approaches to Treat Chronic Back Pain
A common medical myth that floats around a lot is that spine surgeons will always prescribe surgery. Back pain treatment doesn’t always equate to surgery. Truth is, your doctor will suggest back surgery only if, regrettably, all other options have been explored and been proven unsuccessful. And that, we must tell you, is quite a bleak possibility. Only 10% of cases of back pain require surgery.
The human spine is a complex and significant organ. It consists of discs, bones, nerves, and muscles. Each can be a generator of pain. No wonder why, back pain is one of the most common health concerns in India. A dull pain, that is either perpetual or a sharp stinging pain that spreads across the back to the leg. The causes could be many. It could arise from an injury that resulted from an accident, a slip, or because of incorrectly lifting a heavy object.
While it can affect people of all ages, the elderly are more susceptible. This is because the spine undergoes degenerative changes with age. In some cases, arthritis or other medical conditions also cause back pain.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions that back surgery is always a major procedure with an extended hospital stay and a long recovery period. In reality, most patients are treated successfully with minimally invasive surgery. Very few require open spine surgery.
Also read: 4 ways to ease your back pain at home
Here are some surgical treatments doctors might recommend in case of chronic back pain:
1. Endoscopic Back Surgery
Endoscopic Back Surgery is a type of minimally invasive procedure that makes use of an HD capsule camera attached to an endoscope. A 6mm (about 0.24 in) skin incision is made to target the pain source in the spine. The doctor simultaneously observes the affected area on the HD monitor. This procedure is not only accurate but also safe. It is very effective in healing chronic lower back pain and leg pain. Since the tissue damage is minimal, even less than minimally invasive spine surgery, it provides rapid recovery to the patients.
2. Laser spine surgery
Also known as percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD), Laser Spine surgery requires no incision, and therefore faster recovery time. A laser machine is utilized, which uses heat to evaporate the soft tissues and decompress the pain-causing areas in the spine. This is especially effective for cases of herniated discs as it relieves compression on the spine and surrounding nerve roots. This no-incision spinal surgery involves far fewer complications, leaves no scar behind, and is also relatively painless.
3. Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is a major surgery that involves welding one or more vertebrae. When they are fused together, they heal as one solid bone. As a result, any painful motion is done away with, and the spine is now more stable and pain-free. The spine fusion is only prescribed when the cause of the back pain is a vertebrae that keeps moving out of place. Spinal fusion surgery relieves back pain, as you will not end up over-stretching your nerves, muscles, and ligaments. The patient might experience some pain during the surgery but that can be controlled by medications.
4.Spinal decompression surgery for back pain
Spinal decompression comprises different types of treatment that cure back pain by taking pressure off the neural elements of your spine. If the cause of the back pain is herniated discs or spinal stenosis, spinal decompression surgery is the most helpful. In this, the spine surgeon operates out a portion of the affected disc or bone to decompress the spinal nerves. Once the pressure is reduced, there is more space and therefore more blood flows around the spine. Common techniques of spinal decompression include microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or fusion procedures.
Post-spine surgery recovery
Gone are the days when back surgery demanded months of hospital stay. Now, you must stay in the hospital for merely 1-3 days after the surgery. Most patients start walking the very day after the surgery. However, they are asked to stay back a few days to heal from any potential surgery-related risks. Longer hospital stays may be necessary for more complex surgeries. For the minimally invasive ones, patients get discharged in a single day too sometimes.
Working with a physiotherapist fastens your postoperative healing. The main aim of Physiotherapy is to prescribe exercises for back pain. These helps reduce inflammation, minimize muscle spasms, and limit your pain. The physiotherapist shows some back workouts for back pain. Ultimately, these strengthen the muscles and stabilize your back.
Many people deal with back pain in their daily lives. Not only is it severely painful, but it restricts you from moving freely and doing things as per your will. Don’t let back pain stop you from living your life to the fullest. Consult spine specialists at One Spine Clinic for the best back pain treatment in Mumbai. Don‘t let misconceptions hinder you from making the best decision for your health. We at One Spine Clinic offer state-of-the-art treatment and care for all spine-related issues. Book an appointment- say goodbye to back pain.
