Spinal Surgery: Most people sooner or later experience back pain, specifically low back pain. Mostly this problem is transient and is treated conservatively or goes away on its own. But there are other cases that require treatment. The bottom line is the earlier the cause of back pain is eliminated, the more successful the treatment will be and the less time the rehabilitation will take.
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Common types of spinal surgery
The technique of spine surgery depends on the affected area and on the disease or the type of injury. Depending on the segment of the spine being operated on, the surgery can imply access from different directions. It is up to the orthopedic surgeon to choose the appropriate surgical option.
Some of the most common surgical techniques include:
- Discectomy (mostly to remove a protrusion or pressure on nerve endings)
- Laminectomy or open decompression (to remove the bone tissue)
- Spinal fusion (to connect vertebrae)
You can find more options for spinal surgery on the Booking Health website.
How are herniated discs treated?
Currently, minimally invasive discectomy surgeries are used to treat herniated discs, which involve the complete or partial removal of the damaged disc. Physicians perform such surgery through a small puncture, through which endoscopic surgical instruments and a camera are inserted. In some cases, the removed disc may be replaced by an artificial implant, which allows the flexibility of the spine to be maintained. The minimally invasive procedure has a shorter recovery time than the conventional one.
If the disc is partially dislocated, a puncture or cauterization can be performed. With a puncture, the contents of the disc are pumped out, while the cauterization of the disc involves heating it with ultrasonic waves.
How is spinal canal stenosis treated?
The narrowing of the spinal canal is a condition that usually develops in people over the age of 60 (it is found in about 20% of people of that age). Stenosis can lead to back pain, difficulty walking, and urinary incontinence. To diagnose this condition, studies such as MRI and multi-slice computed tomography are performed.
In the most severe cases of spinal stenosis, surgery is performed. The type of surgery depends on the affected area and the degree of the lesion. In some cases, minimally invasive surgery under X-ray guidance may be performed. Such surgeries use stabilizing structures, and sometimes require a bone graft, which is harvested from the patient’s pelvic or other bones. The effectiveness of such surgical interventions is up to 80%.
Is rehabilitation necessary after spinal surgery?
Any intervention on the spinal column and any trauma require subsequent rehabilitation. Many European hospitals have specialized spine rehabilitation departments, where patients have the opportunity to receive the full range of rehabilitation options.
The most advanced techniques of back pain treatment are used there. The rehabilitation program is chosen individually and is supervised by a specialist, who adjusts the program to changes in the patient’s condition.
Rehabilitation procedures may include:
- Therapy with medication that helps strengthen the tissues of the spine and/or eliminate symptoms that impede recovery.
- Therapeutic exercise, which implies a strictly dosed physical activity that restores muscle tone, improves nerve fiber conduction, and ensures the proper functioning of the circulatory system.
- Assisted rehabilitation, that involves restoration of lost functions with the help of special devices, ensuring the most precise load on the necessary parts of the body.
How to undergo spinal surgery during a lockdown?
People undergoing spinal surgery abroad have the opportunity to receive the most advanced and innovative treatment for their diseases. European hospitals were the first to use minimally invasive surgeries and high-tech devices to stabilize the spine. Therefore, spinal surgery abroad implies a quality that is worth investing in.
Booking Health can help you organize spinal surgery during a lockdown. The company has been organizing treatments since the lockdown began and many patients were treated abroad throughout this time. You don’t need to worry whether you can get a visa or whether you can travel; Booking Health makes sure that you get the treatment you’re hoping for no matter the circumstances.
If you need any additional information, fill in the request form on the Booking Health website, and a medical advisor will contact you shortly.