Posts Tagged ‘spinal’
Best Back Pain Mattress
When it comes to to your health, the most important piece of furniture you own is your mattress. You spend approximately one third of your life in bed. An uncomfortable mattress can have a negative effect on the quality and amount of your sleep. This is particularly true for the millions of back pain sufferers who have been ill advised over the last several decades that a firm mattress is best for them.
In actuality there are several factors to consider when choosing the best back pain mattress
for you, including: the type of back problem you are experiencing, your sleep position, mattress support, and your comfort preference.
It would be nice if there was a simple anser to the question of “what is the best back pain mattress?” but like so much in life there isn’t an easy answer. It depends on a lot on these factors.
Type of Back Problem
Different types of mattresses help alleviate pain for different types of back problems and symptoms. People with lumbar disc problems, for example, have symptoms that include a shooting pain in one leg from the top of the buttock to the lower leg or foot accompanied by numbness, or that tingley feeling, or leg weakening. Those suffering from this condition would benefit from a firm mattress as a bending or flexing mattress can be very uncomfortable.
Spinal stenosis sufferers, on the other hand, experience pain, cramping or numbness in the back, arms, legs, and shoulders and are more comfortable in a flexed or loose position. Therefore, a slightly softer mattress works better for them.
The most common type of back pain is lower back pain. Usually people experience an aching dull pain in the center of the lower back. A recent clinical study out of Spain showed that a medium firm mattress is generally better at relieving chronic back pain than a firmer model. However, there isn’t one single type of mattress that works best for everyone with lower back pain.
Sleeping Position
In addition to the type of back pain you suffer from, another factor to consider is the position in which you sleep. If you have a lumbar disc problem, then sleeping on your stomach with a flat pillow under your stomach and hips is probably the most comfortable position for you because it reduces stress on the degenerated disc in your lower back. A firmer mattress is best for sleeping on your stomach while a softer mattress will cause an uncomfortable arch in your back that will worsen your condition.
People with spinal stenosis are most comfortable sleeping on their side in the fetal position with a pillow between their knees. A medium firm or firm mattress is good for this sleeping position but most people prefer a thicker padding to reduce pressure on their hips and shoulders. Finally, those suffering from lower back pain should sleep lying on their back with a pillow under their knees to relieve pressure from the lower back. There is no single mattress style that works for all people with back pain, but people with lower back pain should choose a mattress that offers support, comfort, and ultimately, a good night’s sleep.
Back Support
Another major factor in choosing a mattress is the support that mattress provides. A supportive mattress will offer the right balance of support and flexibility to allow the spine to align naturally. There are several components of the mattress that contribute to how supportive a mattress set is. First, mattress springs and coils are the most important features of a mattress that provide back support. The coil gauge of mattress denotes how stiff or firm a mattress is. The lower the gauge of the coil, the thicker and stiffer the wire, thus, the firmer the mattress. Furthermore, the higher the coil count of a mattress, the better the quality. However, a higher coil count does not necessarily mean a more comfortable or supportive mattress.
There is a whole school of thought within the back pain medical field that feels that spring-coil mattresses put pressure on sensitive areas of the back and actually aggravate back pain for some sufferers. This tends to be truer for lower-quality spring coil mattresses.This alternative school of thinking feels that memory foam or visco elastic mattresses are better for most back pain sufferers. These types of mattresses allow your body to sink into them and actually take on the shape of your body, so there is no tension on your spine that results in back pain.
Foundation Or Boxspring
The next element of a mattress set that affects back support is the foundation, or boxspring. The foundation/boxspring absorbs weight for the mattress. If you want this type of mattress set, it is important to purchase the boxspring designed to match your mattress because manufacturers design both pieces to work together. A mismatched set may adversely affect the longevity of your mattress and the level of support the mattress provides.
Individual Comfort
Finally, the most important key to mattress buying is to buy what is comfortable for you. No two of us are the same when it comes to what we need from our mattress. Therefore, it is important to take time to actually try the mattress out, especially if you suffer from chronic back problems. It is suggested that you spend at least ten minutes on several different mattresses. Turn over from side to side and make sure that mattress provides enough support to allow the spine to rest in its natural state. The mattress quilt and just beneath the quilt, in the middle of mattress, consist of mattress padding made of polyurethane foams, puffed up polyester, and cotton batting. These materials affect the firmness of the mattress. Generally, people find that mattresses with more padding are more comfortable.
Even better than this is that most reputable manufacturers of mattresses will offer you a money back guarantee for as long as 60 or 90 days in some instances, so you can try the mattress out in your home or apartment to see if it actually helps reduce your back pain. Many retailers will include free shipping and pickups if you want to return the mattress. You really have no risk in this instance, which is good because good mattresses don’t come cheap, so you won’t take a financial hit if your new mattress doesn’t meet your needs.
Finding the right back pain mattress for you, one that really reduces or eliminates your back pain, can be a godsend. Think about it. Imagine waking up without morning back pain. Or even better, imagine getting a solid eight hours of sleep at night. A good, effective mattress that delivers in this regard would be worth the price!
Overall, when choosing a mattress, consider all of the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, the best mattress for your back pain is the one you find most comfortable for you and your sleep preferences.
Other Relevant Posts:
Memory Foam Mattress Top On A King Size Bed
But if you are unlucky enough to have the injuries or disabilities, then the memory foam mattress will become your best friend after the pain killers. The king size bed is great for two people because it gives both of you … It will be the best treat you have ever given yourself for a comfortable nights sleep. The slipperiness of the satin allows you to turn with very little body exertion. If you suffer from a bad shoulder or back, not having to haul yourself …
The mattress should not be too soft for your spine. It must at the same time should not even be hard to bear. Specially designed mattresses such as innerspring, memory foam, air, latex foam mattresses are available in the market. … Last but not least, pilates are the best exercises for back pain after cesarean. Theses strengthen the abdominal muscles which are subjected to great deal of strain during C-section. This is accomplished by stretching the back musc…
beat Back Pain: Lumbar Support Roll, Supple-Pedic Mattress
One of the best ways to beat back pain is to use a lumbar support roll. Lumbar rolls are pillows designed to provide comfort and relief from back pain, especially lower back pain while sitting for a long time or traveling. …
What is the Best Bed For Back Ache Relief?
If you suffer from back ache you should first try to determine what is the cause of your back pain. There is no general solution for all the. … As you are lying in your bed for hours every night (you should sleep 7-8 hours per night, not less and not more) a good bed and mattress will definitely make a significant difference to your back ache problem. So don’t be cheap on this spend enough money on buying a good bed your back will like you for it. …
How The Mattress Has Evolved Over Time
So when the person moves on the mattress it will shift. This allows you to relieve pressure points and provide a better night’s sleep. Best of all it completely works! Since the memory foam mattress became a reality, more and more attempts have been made … If you can find a bed that suits you however, you will not only be able to get a good nights sleep, you will be able to wake up in the morning without back pain, which is something that many people just cannot…
Lower Back Pain? Get a Memory Foam Mattress Pad
We’re making advances all the time in pain management; and memory foam is one of the leading non-surgical methods of reducing joint and back pain. A memory foam mattress pad has proven effective for reducing – or even eliminating back problems for 70 – 80% of people … But look around to determine what is the best fit for you in price vs. quality. Here’s some good news – it won’t cost a ton even for the best toppers. Whichever brand you go with, go …
The Best Mattress for Neck Pain
If you read the study from the Lancet you will read that the study found a medium firm mattress was best for back pain which at that point I thought ‘yes’-a medium firm mattress is the answer. However, the next independent clinical …
Double Mattress – As to why get a double mattresss
My own thoughts and opinions through the things i have experienced through the years is that often if you ever suffer with a pain or aches in your back invariably you should spend money on a memory foam mattress. …. The Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card for College Students can be one of the best moves that you make. With a bank like Citi, you get the unparalleled support of a credit network willing to provide you with the best possible options. …
What is the best mattress to sleep on when you have back/hip pain …
My husband has been in pain for quite some time due to the accident we were in in 1999 along with other things he has done. I need help in picking the right.
Inversion Therapy Benefits For Back Pain
Inversion therapy could be a therapeutic intervention, principally practiced for treatment of back pain. Beneath this therapy, the patient hangs upside down or in an inverted position (against gravity). The degree of the inversion angle depends upon the approach for undergoing the therapy and the health condition of the patient.
Inversion therapy advantagesare mainly stressed on correcting the issues of the spinal column, which occur because of injury, dislocations and aging. The therapist could suggest appropriate inversion therapy exercises for overcoming pain in the back. Browse a lot of on back pain relief.
Inversion Therapy Advantages
Inversion therapy for back pain could be a popularly discussed topic. As per the proponents, it is effective in decompressing the spine and relaxing muscles and ligaments. Special equipment called inversion tables and gravity boots are used for performing inversion therapy. The former permits inverting at variable angles, while the latter is supposed for a right away the wrong way up position. Hence, the benefits of inversion tables and gravity boots depend upon the approach for that you’re using the equipment. Some of the inversion therapy advantages include:
1) Decompress Spine – When speaking concerning inversion therapy for a spine drawback, it helps to decompress the spine and relieves pain by reducing pressure on the nerves and spinal discs.
2) Correct Body Posture – Inversion therapy aids in reversing the process of aging in the spine. As it realigns the spinal column to its original form, it aids in maintaining body posture.
3) Increase Flexibility – It’s quite obvious that after decompression of the spine and relieving pain, the flexibleness and body movement is increased to a sure extent.
4) Promote Blood Circulation – Undergoing regular sessions of inversion therapy promotes blood circulation to the upper organs, so increasing oxygen and nutrient provide to these body parts. This indirectly helps in quick healing of the inflamed and injured tissue.
5) Improve Lymphatic System – Inversion therapy improves the lymphatic system and promotes higher circulation of the essential nutrients to the body organs. This in turn helps in body detoxification and proper coordination of the body metabolic processes.
6) Eliminate Constipation – The inversion therapy edges conjointly embrace simple bowel movements and relieving constipation. Because the body remains the other way up, the pressure of a arduous stool is decreased, permitting straightforward passage.
7) Relieve Stress – The proponents of inversion therapy are of the opinion that it helps in proper stress management. However, guarantee that you just follow the therapist’s advice for a suitable position.
Inversion Therapy Risks
The therapeutic benefits of inversion therapy is controversial. Specifically, this therapy isn’t applicable for patients who have back pain along with other medical conditions. Dangers of inversion therapy embody blood infusion in the head portion. Considering this, folks with high blood pressure, heart problems, glaucoma and eye diseases ought to ask for advice from their concerned physician prior to indulging in inversion therapy. Conjointly, pregnant girls ought to refrain from this kind of therapy, as it will cause sure complications, both for the mother and therefore the baby.To learn more about back pain causes, visit here: back pain causes.
Other Posts On Inversion Therapy
Fitness Inversion Table Back Pain Therapy
The benefits of the gravity on the body as well as spine are not only for the internal body, but also apparent and make themselves evident visually as you grow and become older. The effects on the gravity on to the body can actually be … Any person who suffers from high blood pressure, heart disease and any other critical problem, are at the highest risks with the use of fitness inversion therapy and inversion tables. Moreover, pregnant ladies must not use this table. …
… of inversion therapy and inversion tables have produced the many extra benefits we have talked about today very practically along with easing back pain In the end, make sure you research the benefits and risks of inversion therapy …
Just remember, there are also further inversion therapy benefits that you can benefit from immediately by utilizing the right inversion therapy table. Let’s continue on and learn more about the benefits and risks of inversion therapy …
Inversion Therapy Risks– The therapeutic advantages of inversion therapy is controversial. To be more precise, this therapy isn’t applicable for patients who have back pain together with alternative medical conditions.
Spinal Decompression for Herniated Discs
Other forms of less technological spinal decompression include traditional medical traction, Cox Technic chiropractic and inversion therapy. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine and creating a vacuum effect in the … The risks are low and the relief is real. Best of all, there are none of the unpleasantries, functional limitations or tissue damage enacted by surgical interventions. To learn more about spinal decompression, contact a qualified …
Related Websites
Spinal Fusion Options
Spinal fusion has become a very common surgical procedure in the United States over the past 10 years. There are many diagnoses that range from fractures of the spine to severe degenerative disc disease that prevent patients from being able to stand or walk are best treated with a surgical remedy. This article is intended to provide a basic review of the many spinal fusion options that are available.It is best to talk to a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who will be able to give you a complete picture of all of the devices available that are recognized for quality and reliability or to help you rule out those that are not advisable.
As the number of spinal fusions has increased, the variety of procedures and hardware alternatives that are available has also increased. It may be easier to understand why there are so many types of fusions if you consider how fractures need to be fixed with fusion. With broken bones, there is usually little question about the wisdom of providing casts or plates and screws to stabilize bones that need to be realigned or stabilized. Spinal fusion provides the same stability for the spine as is used for other fractured bones. What is a spinal fusion? Screws and rods in the spine are used to keep bones from moving as the bone graft that is placed allows the stabilized bones to form a connection across a previously mobile disc space. The growth of bone between 2 previously mobile bones is called fusion.
Standard Fusion Technique
Initially, fusion of the vertebral bones was done by laying bone graft between the bones, to provide a scaffolding across which the native bone cells could grow. As the patient s bone cells move across the bone graft, they are able to incorporate the bone graft into the patient s own bone structure, forming a complete connection called a fusion. Bone graft is of primary importance in allowing the vertebral bones to fuse across a previously mobile segment. Studies of patient s with fusions done with bone graft alone have shown a relatively good rate of incorporation when patients are placed in back braces for 3 months or more. Because of the inconvenience and discomfort of the bracing, pedicle screws and rods have been added to provide an internal support that obviates the need for external supports. Internal screws and rods have increased successful fusion rates, as well as allowed patients to become mobile very quickly after the spinal fusion.
Interbody Fusion Cages
As the skill of the surgeon s has grown when applying screws and rods to the spine, we have looked for better ways to gain improved results.Now, it is possible to put bone graft around the back of the spine, as well as into the disc spaces. With these improved grafting methods, we are able to safely access the lumbar disc from the back of the spine. Adding bone graft to the disc increases the surface area for healing and should improve the overall success rate of the spinal fusion. Interbody grafting can be done from several different approaches, as access to the disc space can be achieved from multiple directions.
XLIF
This acronym stands for extreme lateral interbody fusion. XLIF is a newer device designed to provide a carrier for bone graft and support to the disc space. It is placed through an incision on the patient s flank. By making an incision on the patient s side, the abdominal contents can be moved out of the way for a good view of the spine. Unfortunately, there are some significant nerves in the front of the spine that are very sensitive to being moved. This type of access to the spine can lead to weakness in one leg because of the sensitivity of these nerves.At this time, there are no long-term studies that demonstrate that this procedure is a success.
AxiaLif
This is another fusion device that has received some attention, due to its being touted as the least invasive spine fusion .This device is placed across the lowest disc space by access from the front of the sacrum (a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine, wedged between the two hip bones). By placing instruments through a small incision near the rectum towards the spine, the disc is accessed through a series of cannulas (hollow surgical tubes) and drills. This allows the disc material to be removed from the disc space. After the disc material is removed, bone grafting can be placed into the hole that is created. This disc space is then supported by a tapered screw placed into the bones. So far, this device has had minimal post-surgical study and is most likely best done in conjunction with standard screw and rod fusion techniques.
Flexible Rods
There has been some recent excitement around rod and screw systems that are so-called non-fusion fusion devices. This confusing name infers that, although the intent of the screws and rods is for the bones to not move, these devices are designed to allow some movement. As was discussed earlier in this article, fusion is the solid connection of bones that had previously moved.The idea of these flexible rods is to provide enough stability to allow the bones to fuse together, but not enough to change the spinal forces. This is termed a soft-fusion .At this point, there is no concensus as to how much or how little support is needed to achieve this. It is known that current screw and rod systems provide enough support to allow a fusion to occur while providing complete immobility of the vertebrae. Other than this complete connection, the amount of support less than complete immobility has not been defined and at this point is still under investigation.
Disc Replacement
Disc replacement was developed as an alternative to fusion and is suggested for those discs that have ruptured, but in which the bone structure is still good. If only the disc has gone bad, removal of the disc leaves a space that we normally fill with bone graft to promote fusion in the neck or lower back. With the development of the disc replacement, the space that is left from disc removal can be filled with a device that allows motion, rather than fusion. This is a complete reversal in the approach to disc removal; from complete immobility to complete mobility. Disc replacement is intended to maintain the motion in the spine. This reconstruction of the spine should maintain the forces across the discs in the spine to prevent the other discs from deteriorating any more rapidly than their normal degenerative process. Disc replacement in the lumbar spine has met with some success in well-selected patients. It has not been a panacea for all patients with low back pain or degenerative disc disease.Disc replacement in the cervical spine has had good success, as most neck fusions are done for bad discs with the bones still in good condition.
Improved training, including advanced specialty training in fellowship programs, as well as improved implants, has decreased most surgical procedure times to 2 hours or less. Historically, older techniques have been known to take 4-6 hours for the operation alone. By decreasing operative times, surgeons have seen decreased complications from the anesthesia, as well as decreased risks of infection and blood loss. Most surgeries under 2 hours will not require a blood transfusion.
A well-informed patient, who understands the benefits and the risks of their surgery, can fully participate in the choices that need to be made about their surgery. If you have been told that you need a spine fusion, ask questions and do your research. It is appropriate to ask your surgeon about their experience performing spinal fusions, how many of the fusion procedures they perform, how long the operation will take and the likelihood of needing a blood transfusion. Selecting a well-qualified surgeon can help ensure the best outcome for you and the success of your spinal fusion.
Other Related Posts:
Back Pain Treatment – Is Spinal Fusion The Last Option
Some patients said they had spinal fusion success in the short during the operation of spinal fusion to relieve their back pain, the segment of the spine is now fused an additional burden on the adjacent vertebrae, which may indicate …
2-18-10, 2 am- Ally still in hospital, but recovering/ Ways to help
If it snows, my mom is unable to drive the girls due to her spinal fusion healing, but so far she is doing wonderful handling them and feeding them. Something that can be difficult while in the hospital and soon after discharge is meals …
Advanced Medical Techniques For Spinal Cord Surgery
Spinal fusion is surgery to correct problems in the spine bones (vertebrae). The surgery stabilizes the back by permanently placing certain bones in the spine together. Fusing means two bones are permanently placed together so that … Spinal cord surgery in India is one of the best options available for the international as well as Indian patients across the globe seeking treatment for spine surgery. Patients are in a constant supervision of abroad expert surgeons of …
Older fusion methods and inadequate diagnostic approaches left surgeons with few options for treating these patients, so some patients were given fusions as a last attempt to improve their pain . Most patients with lower back pain and …
However, this treatment option is quite inconvenient for the patient as it has to be worn up to 24 hours a day and is quite uncomfortable. *Surgery: For scoliosis, it is specifically referred to as Spinal Fusion Surgery wherein a spinal …
If the later is the case, a spinal fusion has been mentioned as a option. You have seen people with a spinal fusion before, their necks appear to be sunken down to their shoulders and when they look left or right, up or down, …
Spinal Fusion Surgery To Relieve Low Backache
Posterolateral Gutter Fusion • Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion • Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion • Anterior/ Posterior Spinal Fusion. These spinal fusion surgery procedure options are chosen on the basis of the underlying cause of …
Effect of Wearing a Corset After Lumbar Spinal Fusion
“Children with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), whether or not it has been stabilized with spinal fusion, may have some left-right tilt in the pelvis,” Seiberlich says. “In such cases, we can use the seating system to minimize the …
Back Pain and Spinal Stenosis
A recent study published by Boston University has found out that lumbar spinal stenosis affects 4.71% of the general population, which seems like a very low number. However, 47.2% of individuals in the 60-69 age group have lumbar spinal stenosis on their MRI scan, which is a significant number. The individuals that actually are diagnosed with severe stenosis will approach 20%. These patients with significant spinal stenosis have a 3 times higher incidence of back pain than the general population. As our population continues to live longer, stenosis of the spine will certainly be a significant health problem.
Spinal stenosis is the progression of arthritis in the spine occurring in the neck, as well as in the lower back. As we age, the cartilage in the discs of our spine will lose their ability to hold water. The water in the discs is what helps the disc move and remain flexible to bending and compression. As the discs lose their water content, they become more fragile.If the brittle cartilage breaks, the condition is called degenerative disc disease.As discs degenerate, they will begin to expand and put pressure on the spinal canal and nerve roots. This disc bulging will decrease the diameter of the spinal canal,a condition referred to as spinal stenosis. This slows the information that flows between the brain and the extremities. The arms will be affected by spinal stenosis in the neck and the legs will be affected by lower back (lumbar) spinal stenosis.
Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis will feel back pain, as well as leg pain or fatigue. Because of the fatigue in the legs, patients will have to sit frequently during walks.Lumbar spinal stenosis will also cause patients to find benches in the mall and grab the cart at the grocery store, in order to make it through their errands due to the fatigue. Some patients may attribute their fatigue to age and as they continue to remain active later in life, this may severely limit their ability to join in their families activities.The leg fatigue can cause significant pain and cramping during activity, but is lessened when the patient sits down. The act of sitting opens the spinal canal by decreasing the curve in the lower back,which also occurs while the patient is leaning on the grocery cart.
Spinal stenosis in the neck may cause more severe symptoms. The cervical spine protects the spinal cord as it descends from the base of the brain.Because spinal stenosis in the neck puts pressure on the spinal cord, the disc pressure will cause symptoms related to the area. These include a decrease in the ability to walk as well as problems with the hands.Patients may find they tend to stumble, as it becomes harder to control the feet and legs as the disease progresses. They may also find their handwriting getting severely worse and that they have difficulty differentiating the size and feel of coins or shirt buttons.
Spinal stenosis is usually treated with physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy is intended to help position the spine and open the spinal canal. With better posture and stronger core muscles, patients may find their leg symptoms and fatigue improve. They may find they are able to walk farther or faster. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are a first-line option for improving the inflammation related to the degenerating discs. When physical therapy and oral medications no longer provide relief, injections of steroid around the discs and nerves may decrease the pain and symptoms related to the nerve pressure. Some patients are able to tolerate their symptoms with a few injections per year.
When all of these efforts fail, surgery becomes an option for improving the patient s pain.Surgery is aimed toward relieving the pressure from the arthritis on the spinal canal and nerves.The mechanical pressure can only be alleviated by physically removing the bone spurs or disc protrusions. The surgical procedures involve removal of bone and disc, as well as protecting the nerve roots. Fellowship-trained orthopedic spine specialists have undergone the most intense training available in the treatment of the spine and are uniquely qualified to treat patients with spinal stenosis.
Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson is a doctor at the Orthopedic and Spine Center, a leading provider of Hampton Roads orthopedics services such as Hampton Roads spine surgery, Hampton Roads custom fit knee replacement, and many other services. The Orthopedic and Spine Center can be found online at: OSC-Ortho.com
Other Relevant Posts:
Causes of Spinal Stenosis and How to Cope
A recent study published by Boston University has found out that lumbar spinal stenosis affects 4.71% of the general population, which seems like a very low number. However, 47.2% of individuals in the 60-69 age group have lumbar spinal …
Chiropractic treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article was to review the literature on the use of chiropractic for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on 4 electronic databases (Medline, …
Spinal Stenosis: A Painful Condition Prevalent in the Senior …
Spinal Stenosis: A Painful Condition Prevalent in the Senior Population By Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson A recent study published by Boston University has determined that lumbar spinal stenosis affects 4.71% of the general population, …
Pain in the Neck Treatments: The Causes of Back and Neck Pain and …
The cervical and lumbar regions of the spine have the most mobility and the discs there are more likely to wear down or be injured. Ninety percent of disc herniations occur in the lower two lumbar vertebrae. Spinal stenosis …
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Steroid Injections or Physical Therapy …
Lumbar spinal stenosis (stenosis of the low back) is a common cause of back problems in adults over 55 years old. Spinal stenosis describes a clinical syndrome of back, buttock, and/or leg pain. It is a condition in which the nerves in …
A Patient’s Guide to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
As a result of many years of wear and tear on the parts of the spine, the tissues nearest the spinal canal sometimes press against the nerves. This helps explain why lumbar spinal stenosis (stenosis of the low back) is a common cause of …
Spinal Fusion Treatment
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that many back pain sufferers don’t understand. Many people have heard horror stories about people who have had back surgery and never recovered.
Many patients think a spinal fusion will cause their spine to become completely rigid, and they envision a future of pain and stiffness and being unable to bend their backs or touch their toes, afterwards. Over the past decade, spinal fusion has also had a less than bright reputation as a treatment for pain. Given the overall perception that fusion of the spine is a delicate surgery with questionable outcomes, patients are quite concerned about proceeding with a fusion. This article will help to dispel many of the misconceptions that surround this treatment and why it is important to understand the procedure, when it should be performed and who might benefit from a spinal fusion.
What is Spinal Fusion?
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure designed to provide stability to an area of the spine that has too much movement or movement that causes pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the arm or leg. The object of a spinal fusion is to connect the bones (vertebrae) that were previously too mobile and form a connection of bone in the spine that is more rigid.
A History Lesson
Orthopaedic surgeons have long applied casts to broken bones to provide support to fractures and allow the bones to heal. This external support keeps the bones from moving. Why is this important? When there is too much movement between broken bones or bone fragments, the repair cells are prevented from being able to connect the bone fragments together, so their process of healing will stop.
As orthopedic surgeons have progressed in the use of technology, plates and screws, called internal fixation devices, are now applied to fractured bones. These rigid internal fixation devices are stronger, and they add more support to the fractured bone. Plates and screws have been able to replace bulky external casting in a large group of fracture types.
The same treatment principles are used by the orthopedic spine surgeon. There was a time when fusions were supported with external bracing. This external support, provided by casting or rigid bracing, has been replaced with internal rods and screws. Using these internal supports provides stronger bone connections that decrease motion even more. As a result, the number of successful fusions has increased. The internal support of the spine is stronger, allowing patients to get up and out of bed and walk the day of surgery and to return to their usual activities in 6 weeks. This is a far cry from the days of original spinal fusions that were supported with a cumbersome hard plastic brace or cast, leaving patients with limited mobility or bed rest for many months.
Spine surgeons are now better able to determine which patients will be helped with a spinal fusion. Advanced imaging studies, including MRI and bone scans, as well as the use of diagnostic injections, help today s spine specialist more accurately diagnose patients who would benefit from spinal fusion. Advances in surgical techniques and components, including the development of better screws and rods, also have greatly improved patient results. Improved diagnostic and surgical training, including advanced training in spine fellowship programs, has helped spine surgeons interpret and use these advances in technology to obtain better outcomes for patients.
Who Needs a Spinal Fusion?
As with all surgeries, there are proper uses that will result in good outcomes for patients with spinal fusion.
In patients where the spinal bones have begun to slip and cause pressure on the spinal nerves (spondylolisthesis), this excessive movement may need to be stopped to prevent worsening of the nerve pressure. During surgery, these patients will have the bone spurs and disc protrusions removed from around the nerve roots and spinal cord, which may destabilize the bones of the spine and cause the bones to slip more. Inserting screws and rods in these bones will prevent the bones from slipping any further after surgery and also may be used for correction of the original slippage.
Use of screws and rods can also provide stability and correction for patients with scoliosis. Scoliosis is the bending of the spine in an abnormal direction. The curve of the spine may increase with time or may be painful as the curvature of the spine increases. If the patient has a large curve or the curve is continuing to get worse, screws and rods are used to correct the position of the spine and prevent the curve from worsening.
In patients with obvious bone destruction from fracture, tumor or infection, stabilizing the bones with screws and rods will provide the support that is needed so the underlying disease can be addressed. The structure of the spine can be improved while the patient receives chemotherapy or radiation. By removing the tumor in the spine, the back pain related to an expanding tumor can be relieved and the patient can remain mobile, which helps to prevent pneumonia and blood clots. Being ambulatory, while receiving chemotherapy and radiation, also improves the patient s mood and outlook while coping with their disease.
Who is Not a Candidate for Spinal Fusion?
Most patients with disc herniations or pinched nerves will not need a spinal fusion. These conditions can be treated with simpler procedures that allow the removal of pieces of discs or bone spurs that do not increase the movement in the bones.
The more difficult indication for spinal fusion is in the patient with severe pain in the back. Degenerative disc disease is the leading cause of back pain in the United States, but back pain can have many underlying causes. One of the reasons that spinal fusion developed a bad reputation is that they were performed as a remedy for back pain that did not respond to other forms of treatment. Older fusion methods and inadequate diagnostic approaches left surgeons with few options for treating these patients, so some patients were given fusions as a last attempt to improve their pain . Most patients with lower back pain and degenerative disc disease will not need a spinal fusion.
What To Expect From Spinal Fusion?
It is expected that most patients will be back to their usual state of health and activity at approximately 6-8 weeks after their fusion surgery. Most patients will be pain-free after their spinal fusion. It is important to choose a well-trained surgeon to make educated decisions about your diagnosis and treatment. With the combination of the proper diagnosis and properly applied spinal fusion most patients will have successful outcomes.
Other Related Posts On Spinal Fusion:
Spinal fusion is definitely done most commonly on the lumbar portion of the spine, which is the method that is used when it comes to spondylolysis surgery options. It is also used to treat other problems as well. This type of surgery is …
Spinal Fusion Surgery Over-Servicing
Lead study author Professor Ian Harris, director of orthopaedics at the Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, says the indications for surgery may change over time, but this does not explain th fef e disproportionate increase in spinal fusion …
Sciatica After Spinal Fusion story sent in by Ko and published on Sciatica-Pain.Org.
Surgery and spinal fusion. So this is it, the time has come, I’m preparing all my things to leave on the 12th now and preparing my shops so to close them because I won’t be able to take in any orders while in the hospital, …
Bruce: Your Answer to Your Back Surgery
I’m about a 15 handicap and play about once a week, I am scheduled for l-5, S-1 spinal fusion on Dec 17 of this year. It’s all the disc about are very healthy, Do you know anyone in the last couple of years that has this type of surgery …
Surery in India: cheap cost option
Spinal Fusion surgery in India helps patients in their back pain related treatments by packaging their medical trip to India and it also offers a full compliment of surgical as well as physiotherapy services exclusively to international …
Dr Davis’ Back & Wrist Pain Blog: A Nonsurgical Treatment Option …
If you are overweight and you go on a weight loss program and start some exercises after successful nonsurgical spinal decompression it may last forever. Hey…you can always have surgery. But once you have spinal fusion you can never …
More Back Pain News- Genetic contribution of catechol-Omethyltransferase variants in treatment ... - 7thSpace Interactive (press release)
- Massage Therapy Helps Wilson Patients Heal After Personal Injuries - MarketWatch (press release)
- Glen Carbon Chiropractor Achieves Certification in Whiplash - MarketWatch (press release)
- St. Louis Chiropractor Helps Patients Manage Back Pain With Natural Techniques - MarketWatch (press release)
- How to manage pain with a spinal cord stimulator - ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)
- The Illinois Back Institute Helps Patient Beat Debilitating Back Pain - Sacramento Bee
- Illinois Back Institute offers non-surgical treatment for lower back pain - News-Medical.net
- AD: Fast Back Pain Relief! Apple Chiropractic 644-4920 - WGMD Radio
- Back pain relief may taper off - CBC.ca
- New Back Pain Treatment with Unique Dr. Allen's Thermo-Element Lets Users ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
