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Orthopedic Group, Inc |
Spine Surgery Options for Back Pain
When conservative methods of treatment cannot alleviate the pain, discomfort, and instability associated with lumbar pain and cervical spine disorders, surgical intervention may be indicated. Surgery options range from minimally invasive discectomy, in which only a portion of the affected vertebral disc is removed, to total disc replacement, depending on the severity of the condition. As always, it is best to consult an orthopedic surgeon before making any diagnoses. Schedule an appointment at our offices, conveniently located in Bristol, Lincoln, and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, as well as Attleboro, Massachusetts. KyphoplastyCompression fractures associated with osteoporosis can be corrected using kyphoplasty, a procedure in which the surgeon inserts a tube through an incision in the back using a "fluoroscope." This fluoroscope sends x-ray images in real-time to a monitor, supplying the surgeon with an improved field of vision. The surgeon then inserts a balloon into the tube and positions it within the spinal column. The balloon is inflated and helps position the fractured pieces of bone material back into place. The surgeon deflates the balloon, creating an empty cavity within the vertebrae. The surgeon fills this cavity with cement, which quickly hardens and keeps the fractured bone pieces set in place to reduce micromotion instability. LaminectomyLaminectomy involves removing the lamina, the winged edges of the vertebrae in the spinal column. Laminectomy is commonly used to treat spinal stenosis, a condition in which excessive pressure is applied to the spinal cord and nerve roots, as well as kyphosis, a condition causing an abnormal spinal curvature. During a laminectomy, the orthopedic surgeon will make a small incision in the back and push the muscles aside to reveal the vertebral column. In a conventional laminectomy, the surgeon will remove more than just the lamina, removing the posterior backbone, as well as the connecting ligament and muscle.DiscectomyLumbar discectomy involves removing the soft, jelly-like inner portion of a vertebral disc that is causing pain by stressing the spinal cord or interfering with nerves from the annulus fibrosus – the hard, outer layer of the vertebral disc. Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive approach to the procedure, requiring a very small incision and removing only the affected portion of the ruptured disc. Post-operative recovery time is much shorter compared to traditional open discectomy, meaning patients can get back to their lives quicker than ever. Other benefits of microdiscectomy include pain alleviation and increased mobility in the affected extremities.You don’t have to live with back pain. Schedule an appointment at one of our four offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to find out how you can alleviate your condition. |
Pawtucket Office • 588 Pawtucket Ave. • Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860 • Toll Free: (800) 725-3037 • Tel: (401) 722-2400
Lincoln Office • 6 Blackstone Valley • Place Building 5, Suite 530 • Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865 • Tel: (401) 334-3700
Attleboro, MA Office • 16 Hillside Ave. • Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703 • Tel: (508) 222-4450
Bristol Office • 1180 Hope Street • Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 • Tel: (401) 722-2400