Back surgery
may be required in some cases to treat back pain. Lower back pain is
unfortunately very common these days. A wide range of non-surgical treatments
are available for back pain nowadays which includes painkillers, exercise and
psychological therapies. However, issues involving progressive pain where
sufficient relief is not obtained from non-surgical options may require
surgery. The surgeon may recommend back surgery if the symptoms correlate with
the MRI and X-ray reports. Spine
surgery is not performed for mild to moderate back pain or if the cause of the
pain is not detectable through imaging tests.
Factors to consider before having back surgery
Before having back surgery there are
certain factors which need to be considered:
- Daily Activities. If back pain is having a severe impact over normal activities it is usually recommended to go for surgical treatment.
- Duration of Healing process. Surgery requires more recovery time as compared to non-surgical treatment. It is important to consider the effect of rehabilitation process on the patient
- Type of surgery. Surgeries vary depending upon healing time, invasiveness and pain during recovery
After assessing the symptoms and reports the surgeon may recommend one of the following surgeries:
- Discectomy. This procedure involves the removal of whole or part of the herniated portion of a disk to relieve irritation and inflammation of a nerve. This surgery is performed if the herniated disc is putting pressure on the spinal cord.
- Laminectomy. This procedure involves the removal of the small part of the bone at the back of the vertebra called the lamina. It relieves the pressure on the affected nerve by enlarging the spinal canal. Laminectomy may be performed along with discectomy.
- Spinal Fusion. Spinal fusion is a commonly performed back procedure that involves the joining together of two or more bones in the spine. This procedure helps to strengthen and stabilize the spine by restricting painful motion.
- Artificial disks. Artificial disks are an alternative treatment to spinal fusion which involves the removal of the damaged disc and the insertion of an artificial one. Unlike spinal fusion this procedure allows movement of the spine. The recovery time of this procedure is less than spinal fusion
Rehabilitation
After the surgery, specific instructions are provided regarding post-surgery rehabilitation. This includes
instruction regarding resumption of
normal activity and exercise. Physical
therapy is very important for recovery as it strengthens the back muscles.
Moreover, it is very important to maintain the proper alignment of the spine.
The time of recovery depends upon the type of surgery performed. To prevent
further back pain, it is essential to maintain good physical condition.
Effectiveness of back surgery
Back surgery is an
effective treatment for people suffering from severe back pain caused by
compressed nerves. According to studies three in every four people
experience significant relief from pain. Back surgery can enhance mobility and
can significantly improve the quality of life..
Risks Involved
Although back surgery provides relief to most
patients, like all operative procedures there is some risk involved which
includes
- Bleeding
- Stiffness of back
- Infection
- Herniated disk
- Nerve damage
- Pain
- Loss of bowel movement or bladder control
There are thousands of people in Pakistan
suffering from back pain caused by spine problems, and although there are a
number of cures being practiced for spine issues, a lot of people are not aware
that more efficient solutions to their back problems exist out there. At Hamid Latif Hospital, top of the line
equipment and highly qualified medical staff, including Dr. Asif Bashir are
there to make as healthy as ever. Dr. Asif Bashir is one of the most competent
professionals for the treatment of spine conditions in Pakistan. Along with
foreign qualifications and work experience, he has won a number of
international awards and honors owing to his contribution to the field.
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