Laser Spine Surgery

By gina | Published: November 18, 2011

Laser Spine SurgeryLaser spine surgery may be a great option for many people that suffer from back pain. Spinal stenosis could have worse effects when there are bone spurs. And soft tissue that is inside the spinal column can be difficult for a surgeon to reach. Laser surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery with a scalpel. Tiny incisions allow the instruments to enter the body. Endoscopy enables a surgeon to make an examination inside a hollow organ without opening the organ. That can reduce the risks for the patients. The surgeon can peek inside by using an endoscope that is placed in the organ. The entire area for the surgery is not fully exposed.

Traditional surgical procedures use large incisions that may require an extensive time period to heal. After laser spine surgery, some patients are able to walk out of the office in just a few hours. There is minimal trauma to the body during the surgery. The instruments enter through very small incisions and are used to remove the tissue. The outer incisions may be the most painful area during the healing process. There is usually much less pain from the inside area where the laser vaporized the tissues.

The greatest concern may be that the surgeon can not look directly at the area during surgery. There could be possible problems with surrounding organs. And the laser could strike another area that is not intended for surgery. That is like having an additional injury. There are always considerable risks with any surgical procedure. Anesthesia can be dangerous for some people. And the risks for infection are usually greater with larger incisions. There could be less problems with laser spine surgery.

Back pain can be excruciating. Many people can not sleep and may become nauseous. They could have difficulty with household chores and normal job functions. And the pain is in an area that can not be massaged by the patient. The conventional methods for massage therapy may not work well with back pain. Some medical conditions may respond to physical therapy. The symptoms from spinal stenosis can sometimes be alleviated with stretching exercises. That is a condition that can produce very painful pressure on the spinal cord. The process is similar to creating pressure with bones that are tightening around soft tissue. Some physicians may advise patients to used medication and physical therapy.

Many people struggle with back pain that has taken control of their lives. They may have a better option with laser spine surgery. A surgeon may be able to provide relief from tangled nerves, herniated disks and remove bone spurs that can press on soft tissue. An endoscopic solution with laser spine surgery could alleviate problems in the lower back, upper back and neck. Freedom from back pain could be wondrous. And the patient may no longer need to use medication. The technology is available for more advanced health care. Each patient should consult with a physician and make a personal choice about laser spine surgery.

 

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Endoscopic Spine Surgery

By gina | Published: November 15, 2011

Endoscopic surgery for the spine is when specially made video cameras and instruments are used to pass through tiny incisions on various areas of the body such as the chest, the abdominal area, joint cavities and the spine so that surgery can be performed in a less intrusive and more effective way. There are several advantages of endoscopic surgery such as the incisions being smaller, less pain and disruption to the tissues of the body and a quicker recovery after the surgery.

It is a fact that endoscopic techniques have been used for several decades; however, such techniques were used only for diagnosing diseases. Now, these same techniques are used to treat many conditions—one of which is spinal disorders.

Using special instruments such as scopes and implants, the spinal surgeon is able to successfully handle several spinal disorders and do it without causing harm to healthy tissue. The most interesting part of this kind of surgery is that the endoscope is able to get into the damaged area of the body and then be seen on a display screen by the surgeon. With a smaller incision there are minimal complications that arise and there is less time needed to heal the surrounding muscle and tissue.

However, it must be said that not everyone should undergo spinal surgery. Before this kind of surgery is performed, the patient needs to be evaluated by a knowledgeable surgeon—one who has a great deal of experience in this kind of surgery. Endoscopic spine surgery is appreciated by many patients because of the fast recovery time. It is a fact that most endoscopic spine surgery patients are able to get up and walk quite soon after surgery. Because the recovery time is short, the patient can get involved in physical therapy and enjoy a faster recovery.

Endoscopic spine surgery offers great relief from pain for many patients and a faster recovery time. An open spine procedure requires a longer recovery and in some cases a procedure that involves more pain. With a recovery that is shorter, patients can enter a physical therapy program–a program that helps with the recovery process. Patients who move around shortly after surgery, aids in the healing process. Endoscopic spine surgery is not for everyone and to ensure that this procedure works well for you, it is advisable to talk with your doctor to see if this kind of surgery will be effective for you. To ensure that a patient is prepared for this procedure, your doctor and surgeon will initiate several diagnoses such as a Spinal Stenosis or a Spondylitis. If the patient’s condition is too severe, then another surgery option will be given.

Recovery from this kind of surgery is dependent on the patient—both physically and mentally. Some patients recover quicker than others because their immune system is stronger, their support from family and friends is more cohesive and their desire to return to home and work is more motivational. With this kind of surgery patients often leave the hospital the following day or several days later. Because this kind of surgery is less invasive than other types of surgery, the tissues of the skin heal faster.

For more information on this specialized kind of surgery, talk with your physician and surgeon.

 

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Laser Back Surgery

By gina | Published: November 14, 2011

Laser back surgery is done on the patients who are suffering from intense back pain or ache related to spine. Usually two kinds of surgeries are performed on the spin; invasive and the laser. In the invasive surgery, large amounts of cuts are required that often leads to the tearing of back muscles. In this procedure, anesthesia is required and the healing time is quite high. Several tiny incisions are made into the skin and specific instruments are then added through them. These surgical methods cause minimal injury to the muscle tissues. This often results in fast recovery time and sort stay in the hospital. Minimally invasive spine surgery can be undertaken on any area of the spine. Only few spine surgeries make use of this latest laser based technology. In this type of spine surgery, a lased is used for disconnecting or removing the troubling tissues.

There can be numerous causes of back pain. It is easy to minimize or even completely remove this pain from the body areas such as lower back, neck, legs and arms if its cause can be known. The inner areas of the spine are accessed by first making tiny incisions in the lower back. Then the laser technology is used for making the openings.

It is now possible to rectify the state of inflamed or broken discs by using laser back surgery. This surgery issued fro removing either the inter-vertebral disc or a small part, and is called microdiscectomy. It is a minimally invasive procedure for eliminating the herniated or ruptured disc. A special laser fiber needle is inserted in the inner most area of the disc for creating some space in it by using a microdiscectomy procedure. The nerve roots become compressed due to any tear in the disc. The covering of nerve root lamina is actually uncovered in this procedure. A laser beam is used for cutting the affected area.

The laser back surgery is a minimally invasive procedure and is not at all dangerous. Aside from this there is no blood loss due to any surgical cuts. With the help of laser back surgery, there is minimum pain and the recovery is quite fast. These surgeries are often done for curing certain disorders such as sciatica, foraminal stenosis and failed back syndrome.

In the laser back surgery, the patient is administered the least amount of anesthesia. Certain advanced techniques such as endoscopic, microscopic and arthroscopic are used in this surgery. The needle is placed in the herniated disc with the help of X-ray. The laser energy is pushed through a special optical fiber needle, which is used for treating the disc area. A small area of spine is spawn for creating some vacuum thereby reducing the swelling and the associated pain. The results are immediate. No long term medical care is needed and patient is free to perform daily activities after 24 hours of bed rest.

Some advantages of laser back surgery are:

1. Short hospital stay
2. Low cost as compared to the traditional spine surgery
3. No scarring
4. No cuts

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Disc Replacement Surgery

By gina | Published: November 11, 2011

Disc Replacement SurgeryDisc replacement surgery is by no means a pleasant thing. People do not go into surgery expecting to come out of it with little or not pain. They do expect that the surgery will eventually correct whatever problem that led them to seek out medical help in the first place. The name suggests that the operation will be performed on the back. The patient may undergo an operation on the neck.

What is the Disc?

The disc is tissue that provides cushioning for the vertebrae. Herniated or ruptured discs can result in a large amount of back pain. If the disc has been damaged too badly, the doctor may recommend surgery. A chiropractor probably will not make such a recommendation unless it is an extreme case.

Who Benefits from Disc Replacement Surgery?

Disc surgery is not for every patient. The average patient will find relief through traditional pain management methods. If over the counter pain medication and chiropractic treatments can keep a person on the job or active, he does not need surgery. While activity and weight loss will reduce the pain overall and the need for pain management, these methods do not work for everyone. A patient who does not feel relief after undergoing these treatments for a prolonged period of time may be a candidate for this surgery.

What Does Disc Replacement Surgery Entail?

The patient will be put under anesthesia before the surgery is to start. The staff may put the patient on the side or his back, although placing the patient on the back is more common. A surgeon will make an incision near the disc or discs that need to be replaced. He will carefully remove the old discs. The process requires steady hands and patience. The surgeon must be careful not to damage the spinal chord. Any patient who undergoes spine surgery will be told of the risks. If the surgeon performs the surgery incorrectly, the patient could be paralyzed for life. The surgery itself will take many hours.

Side Effects and Complications of the Procedure

The most common side effect will be pain in the back during the healing process. Tenderness and swelling at the incision site are also common. The hospital staff will give a patient pain medication to help manage this process. The patient should expect to spend a few days in the hospital so the staff can monitor his recovery. Before the patient goes home, the hospital will set up doctor visits and physical therapy if necessary.

At Home Recovery

The home recovery process can take weeks or months. The patient will be given a number of things he cannot or should not do while his back is healing. Heavy lifting is out and the pain medications may prevent a person from driving for the first couple of days. The home recovery process takes time, but only a few days of bed rest are usually necessary. After a week or so, the patient should start moving for his or her own sake.

 

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Herniated Disk Surgery

By gina | Published: November 11, 2011

A herniated disk happens when a spinal disk between the spinal vertebrae becomes ruptured. The spinal disk is filled with a jelly like nucleus and is surrounded by a protective wall called the annulus which provides a cushion when the spine is in motion. A herniation of the nucleus can leak the jelly substance through the annulus which can pinch nerves around the spine and cause very little to unrelenting pain in the back, neck and limbs.

Most herniated disks happen during heavy lifting, physical trauma or spontaneous, sudden movements. Symptoms depend on the location where the herniation occurs, which can result in little to no pain, especially if only the tissue is injured. Conversely, in some cases, severe pain can occur in all regions of the neck and back.

Diagnosis is often not immediate as patients may have undefined pains that are not associated with herniated disk symptoms. Physical tests such as lifting a leg can assess the lumbar portion of the back, while diagnostics such as an MRI can show specific ruptured areas of the spine. In most cases, physical tests and medical history will typically be used to identify a hernia.

Most herniated disks heal over time from four to six weeks and surgery is often a last resort; other treatments are preferred, especially if back pain is the only symptom the hernia is causing. Treatments may include anti-inflammatory medication such as Cortisone shots. However, this practice is becoming less of a solution as evolving physical therapies are becoming more effective. Physical treatments often consist of positions, exercises and stimulation techniques that can help to minimize pain.

If surgery is needed, there are several methods used depending on the persistence of pain and when non-surgical or physical therapy isn’t effective.

A Disectomy can be performed on a ruptured disk which consists of surgical removal of material that may be pinching a nerve or area of the spinal cord that’s still causing the pain.

For bulging disks, a Percutaneous Disecomy is performed which consists of a small incision on the back where herniated tissue is removed reducing the size of the bulge. However, this procedure is less effective and is declining in its use.

A Laminotomy and or a Laminectomy can be performed to reduce pressures on the spinal cord and nerves caused by age-related spinal ware. A Laminotomy will remove a portion of the vertebrae that has built up protective arches over the spinal cord called a “Lamia”, while a Laminectomy will remove all of the Lamia and any other built up tissues affecting the spinal canal.

A new and effective treatment called artificial disk replacement (ADR) can be used to replace damaged or worn disks with artificial ones. The procedure is design to reduce or eliminate pain, allowing better spinal motion and movement. ADR is also an alternative to spinal fusion that joins vertebrae together with supplementary bone tissue designed to eliminate pain.

If you believe you are suffering from a herniated disk speak to your physician and discuss the available treatments.

 

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Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury

By gina | Published: November 3, 2011

A spinal cord injury can be very painful and life threatening. These types of injuries that involve the lower back are ongoing and need immediate treatment and care if the patient is to have a relatively normal life.

Once treated there are special instructions from the physician that the patient and their family must follow. Getting plenty of bed rest, eating a reasonable amount of fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of iron rich and calcium rich foods and avoiding further incidents and accidents that may cause exacerbation of the injury.

Having a spinal cord injury can debilitate a person who is used to doing regular things like bike riding, walking for long periods of time, bending over to pick up something or just working sitting or standing. These actions can become a hardship on the patient with back problems or a spinal injury and can make doing simple things less attractive.

There are certain pain medications that can treat the symptoms of spinal cord injuries like
spinal cord injuries called complete and incomplete. The complete kind refers to sensory, motor and some lost of neurological functions. Therapy is necessary to help get this patient back on track as much as possible.

Note, that depending upon the damage paralysis will be present in certain limbs or the trunk area. A wheel chair is usually necessary in these cases and constant therapy will be performed.
The incomplete kind of a spinal cord injury means, that the patient has motor function below the affected area. Therefore, therapy is also recommended and may help in some respect over long periods of time. Repetition of this doctor recommended therapy can help the limbs and lower body eventually respond more favorably.

A spinal cord injury could result in a person being unable to control their bladder, senses, meaning feeling cold or hot, having difficulty breathing or coughing and seeing secretions coming from the lungs. These are all symptoms of spinal cord injuries.

For instance, someone with a spinal cord injury will not have the strength or mobile understanding to be able to move freely at will. They must rely on others to direct them, help them move around and get dressed and provide a secure environment in which they can live, prosper and be comfortable. Their surroundings should be such that it is easy enough to get through doorways and out into the yard using a wheelchair without having to rely on someone each moment.

The caregiver should be aware of the needs and services of the patient they are helping and conscious of their mindset. Having a well-trained healthcare worker that is familiar with spinal cord injury cases would be a good fit. They should also poses a certain amount of compassion as this job will be one that is constant, demanding and not for the faint of hears.
Ultimately, when doing research on spinal cord injuries and their symptoms, look into the medical websites for more information. This can help those treating people with this illness as well as the patient themselves.

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Cervical Spine Neck Pain

By gina | Published: November 3, 2011

Cervical spine neck pain can be brought on several different ways such as straining the neck, an injury to the neck such such as a pinched nerve or an ongoing disc disease. This kind of neck pain can also be brought on by infections such as a virus that begins in the throat area or from meningitis.

There are risk factors involved with this kind of neck pain such as being in a car accident or being injured in sport activity. Another risk factor is growing older and thereby putting more stress, wear and tear on your spine.

This health condition should be diagnosed by a physician and then talking with the patient about when the pain began, how strong the pain is, where the patient feels the pain, how long the pain lasts and where the pain is traveling from the original source of the pain. The doctor will also check any tenderness that is in the area of the pain and will also examine the patient’s nervous system to see if the nerves are a part of the neck pain.

In addition, other tests may be used to help in the diagnosis such as a CAT scan, an MRI or a bone scan.
There are a variety of symptoms with cervical spine neck pain such as having a dull ache, an increase in pain when moving, a numb feeling, a tenderness and feeling dizzy and lightheaded. A patient can also have a headache, some pain in the shoulder area, pain in one’s face and a tingling sensation in one’s arms.

  • The patient will know when to see a doctor when certain symptoms appear and increase such as:
  • Unexpected weakness in the arms and legs
  • Changes in bowel and bladder control that come on suddenly
  • A fever that lasts more than two days
  • Unrelenting pain at night
  • Having vision problems
  • Difficulty speaking or thinking

It is imperative that you seek medical help immediately with the above symptoms and if you have the following symptoms, seek help from your doctor:

  • If the pain last longer than six weeks
  • If the pain started when you reached or lifted something too heavy or cumbersome
  • If the medication you’re taking is not working—over the counter pain
  • If the pain begins if you recently have lost 10-20 pounds

Before talking with your doctor it will help with his or her diagnosis if you write down all the symptoms you are experiencing, when the pain began, a list of medications you’re currently taking and any specific illnesses or injuries that have occurred to you—especially in the last couple of years.

Treatment for this kind of health concern consists of several techniques ranging from wearing a neck brace, taking pain relievers, traction, doing various exercises and applying heat and cold to the pain. When the pain becomes more intense and unrelenting, corticosteroid medications can be injected around the “disk, nerves and between the vertebrae.” In some cases, being hopitalized may be necessary to control pain treatments.

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Arthritis in the Spine

By gina | Published: November 2, 2011

It is very common for people with arthritis to suffer with pain in various areas of the body. The arthritis does tend to flair up in areas of the body that have been damaged over time due to overuse, injuries, and average wear and tear. If you have ever had any type of spinal injury or issue, you can pretty well rely on the fact that you will feel the pain of arthritis in spine at some time in your life.

The typical signs of arthritis in any area of the body are aches and pains that come and go, swelling or inflammation, stiffness, and lack of mobility. With arthritis in the spine, you can expect a variety of different symptoms and problems. These symptoms can include pain that may radiate to the extremities or the neck and comes and goes, tingling or numbness in the shoulders, hips, legs, neck, or arms, symptoms of sciatica, spinal deformity or abnormal curvature, and limited range of motion when it comes to bending or stretching. This pain may be quite apparent in the morning, or perhaps, all throughout the day. It can get better with rest or sitting, but in some cases, movement will help to alleviate the pain and inflammation that is associated with arthritic spine pain.

There are several different forms of arthritis that can occur in the spinal area. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disc form of arthritis and is very common and is usually associated with age. Rheumatoid arthritis is a very serious form of arthritis that can have very damaging long-term effects on the body. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a less common form that usually affects the neck and shoulder area of the spine. Lastly, Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune arthritis that normally affects the lower area of the spine including the hips and pelvis. This type is normally a problem for people who are genetically predisposed to the disorder.

The symptoms that are associated with spinal arthritis can be very common to other back injuries or spinal problems. If you are experiencing any type of severe pain in your back or spine, it is imperative that you talk to your doctor about the pain. The doctor will ask several questions about when the pain started and your history of other back problems. He will also carefully examine your spinal area and may send you for some tests that may include an X-ray or MRI. All of these steps will help the doctor to determine if you are suffering with arthritis in the spine or if there is a different problem that needs to be addressed.

The typical treatment plan for someone who is diagnosed with spinal arthritis will include some form of therapeutic exercise plan to help relieve some of the pain and pressure. There will typically be prescribed some type of oral pain relievers and possibly an anti-inflammatory to help reduce swelling. A lot of the treatment will depend on what type of arthritis is found in the spine and where it is located.

 

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Spinal Cord Injury Pain Management

By gina | Published: October 14, 2011

You may wonder what pain is and why you are feeling it. Some people think pain is all bad but to some extent, pain can be a signal of something good. However, it is usually a sign that there is something wrong especially after incurred an accident. Getting your spinal cord injured can really cause you a lot of pain. Most of the time, the pain you feel does not only evolve from the spinal cord area but as well as other areas near the injured part of your body. It can result to extreme pain from a total paralysis condition or an incomplete one. For people under this condition, thorough treatment administered with proper care should be done.

Severe pain is common after you have experienced damage in the spinal cord area. It can also shift from the injured area to the other parts of the body. It is also common to experience chronic pain after having incurred a spinal cord injury. If the condition brought about by a spinal cord injury does not paralyze the individual, some daily activities are already prohibited to be done. For instance, if you are used to carry having things or move furniture to clean your living room, this can no longer be done. You will only worsen the pain you feel if you continuously do your usual activities after incurring a spinal cord injury.

On the other hand, there is a god way to manage the pain you feel. You can undergo for treatment by taking medications, modified activities or a combination of both although it is not a guarantee that it can really stop the pain. However, even the pain is not eventually stopped, you can be sure that the pain management you take can alleviate the pain you feel. Often times, pain management results to an entirely difficult process to people who have spinal cord injuries. This is because you are not sure where or what causes it to continuously ache. Most people with this condition are given neuropathic medications which works to ease out the severe pain.

It has proven to be an effective pain management technique that is why a lot of people are making use of it although it cannot stop the pain from reoccurring. Segmental kind of pain caused from having a spinal cord injury can also be relieved by taking the same medications. Epidurals together with spinal cord stimulation are effective treatment if done with surgery. This surgical procedure may include dorsal root entry zone lesions and dorsal rhizotomy. This will prove efficacy after continuous medicated treatment. If you are still unable to relieve your pain after undergoing these surgical procedures, you can consult your doctor for more effective ways. You can also do activity modifications such as pacing of activities where you get to list all the things that you want to do and do it according to its specific order.

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Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries

By gina | Published: October 14, 2011

A spinal cord injury is the result from having incurred an accident. Often times these accidents happen from rigorous sport activities like basketball, football and other sports that require fast body movement. There are different types of spinal cord injury conditions where specific treatments are to be administered. Neuropathic pain is the most common condition that can result from a spinal cord injury.

Treatment for spinal cord injuries start the moment a medical team responds to help the injured victim. An initial evaluation will be made to assess the severity of the damaged spinal cord. After that, the emergency care unit will transport the patient to the hospital to give proper treatment to avoid worsening the condition. On the other hand, medicated drugs can be given as treatment such as steroid injection while on the ambulance to alleviate the pain. Every condition of an injury incurred is different from person to person therefore different types of treatment is also administered. For instance, some people require immediate surgery to stabilize the pain felt. In other instances, some patients are place in traction allowing the spinal cord to heal in a natural way.

The moment the spinal cord is shocked, this causes trauma that is known to be a spinal shock. The effects of this can take place after several hours of the occurrence of the accident although pain is felt right after a few minutes. Depending on the condition of the patient and the circumstances therefore, you can undergo surgery eight hours after the injury has happened. Surgery is not the only way to heal a broken spinal cord. You can also have it healed in a natural way. With the help of halo traction, a less invasive approach can be done allowing the bones to regenerate and heal naturally.

Once the pain is alleviated, the patient is directed to rehabilitation and supportive care. These treatments can be given while the patient is still hospitalized or given in special units where spinal cord injury treatments are given proper aid and treatment. However, there is still no known cure to get the spinal cord into functioning like it had been before the injury. This means that there is no other way to reverse the damage that a spinal cord injury caused. Spinal cord injury treatment is administered to help further worsening of the condition and to give people the empowerment to live a normal and active life even with this condition.

Scientists have been studying numerous ways to develop treatment to stop the cells from dying after a spinal cord injury has occurred. A study to stop inflammation and regeneration of the nerve is also made to help further enhancement of the treatment. You will be able to find a lot of treatment available and modern facilities that can be used to make the condition a lot better. You can make use of modern wheelchairs and electrical stimulation devices. Although treatment can be administered, most people have varying levels of recovery that can be seen in either short or longer periods of time.

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