The basics of spinal surgery

Without a spine, the human body would not have enough support to stand up straight. The spine is responsible for holding up the head, shoulders and upper body. It also gives the body enough flexibility to bend and twist. OrthoInfo.com notes that the spine is made up of three segments. These segments produce the three C-shaped spinal curves. The top portion near the neck is the cervical spine. The middle segment is the thoracic spine and the lower region is the lumbar spine. Within the spine are small bones called vertebrae, which are stacked and create the natural curves of the back. These vertebrae protect the spinal cord and other nerve roots. Between the vertebrae lie intervertebral discs, which allow movement to take place. When components of the spine are not working correctly, it may result in pain, numbness in the extremities, reduced mobility and other symptoms. Most patients who present with symptoms can be treated without surgery. However, in instances when symptoms related to spinal issues have not been remedied by other means, surgery may be recommended. According to Penn Medicine, there are two different types of spinal surgery: minimally invasive spine surgery and traditional spine surgery. Traditional surgery involves complete exposure of the spine anatomy. Minimally invasive spine surgery exposes less of the anatomy and utilizes surgical aides like spinal navigation to provide visibility into hard-to-view areas. The health and wellness group Peerwell says orthopedic surgeons and/or neurologists may recommend dozens of back and spine surgeries. Here's a more in-depth look at some common spinal surgeries. • Discectomy: This is a procedure for removing material that puts pressure on the spinal column or nerve root. It is sometimes referred to as a herniated disc surgery or decompression surgery. • Spinal fusion: This surgery typically involves fixing instability associated with degenerative disc disease, scoliosis or issues with spinal alignment and curvature. During this procedure, two or more vertebrae are fused to healthy bone and locked in place to stabilize the spine in a correct position. • Laminectomy: This is another decompression surgery in which a part of the bone in the spinal column known as the lamina is cut away to expose the spinal canal. This is designed to relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. • Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty: These are similar procedures that address vertebral compression fractures. Vertebral fractures can cause severe pain and produce a "hunch" deformity in some cases if left untreated. Osteoporosis or injury can cause compression fractures. With these procedures, bone cement is inserted into fractures to strengthen and lift. Spinal surgeries are often the last resort when other options have proven ineffective. They can relieve pain and improve mobility but individuals should first consider all other options.