Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is a medical procedure that involves the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the spine. The spine, or vertebral column, is a complex structure composed of vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal cord, and supporting ligaments and muscles. Spine surgery is performed to address a variety of spinal disorders, alleviate pain, and improve function. Here are some common types of spine surgery:

Discectomy:

Purpose: To remove a portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.

Procedure: The surgeon removes the herniated part of the disc to relieve pressure on the nerves.

Laminectomy:

Purpose: To relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves by removing part or all of the lamina (bony arch of the vertebra).

Indications: Spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal narrows, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

Spinal Fusion:

Purpose: To stabilize the spine by joining two or more vertebrae together, typically using bone grafts and sometimes supplemented with hardware (screws, rods).

Indications: Degenerative disc disease, spinal instability, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty:

Purpose: To treat compression fractures in the spine, often caused by osteoporosis, by injecting bone cement into the fractured vertebra.

Procedure: Vertebroplasty involves injecting cement directly into the fractured vertebra, while kyphoplasty involves creating a space with a balloon before injecting the cement.

Spinal Decompression:

Purpose: To alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerves by removing bone or tissue that is compressing them.

Indications: Conditions such as spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.

• Category: Spine Surgery