Back Surgery: Types, Risk & Benefits

Back pain is a very common type of ailment in recent times and needs immediate medical attention. If your pain becomes unbearable you should consult the Best Orthopaedic in India for diagnosing and obtaining perfect treatment options for bones related issues and a Neuro Spine Surgeon for nerves related complications.

The type and intensity of pain is different in every individual and depends on the structure of the bones, muscle or nerves. Back ache is painful, undesirable and hampers normal functioning of  everyday activities. It can occur as tingling, stabbing or burning sensation due to various reasons. 

Treatment for back pain

Treatment options for back pain depends upon the source & type of pain, and cause of the issue. However, in some cases if the cause for the back pain is not identified, then your doctors will recommend treatments for relieving the symptoms. The major goal of the treatments is to reduce pain and help you return to a normally functioning lifestyle. 

Mostly back pains can be relieved within a two to three months period, with medications, rest and physiotherapy treatments. However in some chronic pain and severe cases the doctors may advise back surgery. It is essential that you Consult with your orthopaedic doctor to evaluate and provide specific guidelines to resolve your issues. 

Types of Back Surgery

We have discussed few types of back surgeries:

Spinal Fusion:

When you are suffering from back pain for a longer period without any specific cause for the pain and causes some degenerative changes, then doctors may recommend spinal fusion surgery as a treatment option. Orthopaedic surgeons will merge two or more of the spinal bones or vertebrae in this surgery. 

Benefits of spinal fusion

Spinal Fusion could be considered as the most common type of back surgeries with less risks. This Spine Surgery in India treats herniated disk, spinal instability or weakness or deformities in the spine. The surgery will limit the motion or friction between the vertebrae, increase the nerves ability to stretch and eliminate pain.

Risk of surgery

• Injury to the nerves or blood vessels in and around the spine.
• Blood clots  
• Poor healing process of the surgical wound
• Infection 

However, complications and risk of back surgery between 10% to 20%, depending on surgery. 

Laminectomy 

This type of surgery is recommended if you are suffering from spinal canal narrowing- the lumbar spinal stenosis, which causes compression of nerves in the lower back. The surgeon might use bone grafts, screws and metal rods. Depending on your health condition, the surgeon may use a smaller incision and a surgical microscope. Surgery will be performed by removing the ligaments, bone spurs and bone to remove the pressure caused by them on the spinal nerves.

Benefits of laminectomy 

Laminectomy surgery relieves your pain and pressure caused by nerve compression. 

Risks of surgery 

• Less stability of spine 
• Bleeding 
• Blood clots in the lungs or legs
• Infection 
• Injury in the nerve root or spinal cord

Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy surgery is performed if you experience back pain because of severe compression caused in the spinal nerve. During this surgery method, the surgeon will cut the bone located at the side of the vertebrae to increase the space for the compressed nerves to exit from the spine. 

Benefits of Foraminotomy 

The extra room in the bones will reduce the nerve pressure and relieve your back pain. The surgery can reduce or eliminate numbness and left pain, improve your strength to perform normal activities. 

Risks of the surgery 

• This surgery can cause less stability of the spine that may require spinal fusion.
• Infection in the vertebral bones or surgical wounds.
• Damages may occur to a spinal nerve, which can cause pain, numbness or weakness. 
• Risk of back pain returning again in the future.

Diskectomy

Spinal disk acts as a cushion in between vertebrae and in some cases this disk may slipped through out of its place, causing severe back pain. The immense pressure or stress caused in the spinal nerves due to the slipping disk results in chronic pain. 

During Discectomy surgery the surgeon will make an incision and remove a portion of the entire spinal disk. With advancements made in medical technology the surgery can be performed with small incisions using an operating microscope and is known as microdiscectomy. Vanya Health Medical Tourism Company can provide quality guidance on obtaining best treatment options from highly qualified surgeons.

Benefits of discectomy 

Discectomy may abolish or decrease leg pain and improve mobility and strength in your legs and back. You may return to your normal functioning routine such as walking, standing and sitting without any difficulties. 

Risks of the surgery 

• Damage of nerve roots
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Paralysis 
• Deep vein thrombosis 
• In some cases, death.

Disk Replacement 

Disk Replacement Surgery is recommended if you are diagnosed with back pain because of displacement and damage of spinal disk. During this process the surgeon will remove the disk that is damaged and replace it with an artificial disk. 

Benefits of disk Replacement 

This surgery has been considered as most effective as it allows normal flexibility, twisting and bending of your spine. Disk Replacement can be performed in Top Orthopaedic hospitals in India by best surgeons. It is a better option than spinal fusion as the fusion of vertebrae will limit the spinal movement. Recovery period is lesser with improved mobility. 

Risks of the surgery

• Infection of the artificial disk
• Dislodging or dislocation of artificial disk
• Implant fracture
• Spinal bone breakdown leads to narrowing of spine.
• Loosening of Implant
• Rigidity or stiffness of the spine
• Blood clots