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Get A QuoteCertain conditions can cause pressure on the nerves in the spine. This can lead to:
Spine decompression surgery is when a surgeon removes part of the spine to increase the space in the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spine and the nerve roots. The surgeon removes or trims parts of the spine, and they can precisely cut out disks, bones, or ligaments.
There are different techniques of decompression surgery which involve the removal of other structures in the spine:
Laminectomy: The surgeon removes a part of the vertebrae called the lamina which will open the spinal canal in the area and reduce the pressure on the spinal nerves.
Diskectomy: This technique removes the part of the disk that is pressing on the spinal nerve, typically for herniated disks.
Foraminotomy: This procedure is to enlarge the vertebral foramen the part of the spinal column where the spinal nerves exit the spine, and also relieve compression on the nerves.
These procedures can be done with traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgery such as keyhole surgery.
The methods the surgeon chooses will depend on the person's condition, the level of nerve compression, and their overall health.
Laminectomy
The lamina provides the bony arch in the spine which can compress the structures in the vicinity. In a laminectomy the surgeon either removes part of the lamina or all of it intending to open space, relieve compression, and improve symptoms.
Endoscopic Discectomy
This involves a minimally invasive procedure that uses an endoscope. The surgeon makes an incision and inserts the endoscope into the area of concern for a better view and then goes ahead and removes the herniated disc material.
Foraminotomy
In this procedure, the surgeon opens the foramen where the nerve roots exit the spinal canal. The bone or tissue that is compressing the nerve is removed from that space and symptoms are improved.
Corpectomy
A corpectomy is the removal of a part of the vertebra as well as adjacent discs and surrounding tissue. This involves compression from, bone spurs, tumors and fracture. The surgeon often replaces the removed part with a bone graft.
Facetectomy
This procedure involves removing part of the facet joint that connects one vertebra to another. It decompresses the nerves. Facetectomy is combined with some additional type of spine decompression procedure.
Osteophyte Removal
The bone can be formed along the edges of the spine causing compression and nerve irritation. The surgical removal these bone helps get rid of symptoms and decompresses the spine.
Anesthesia: The surgeon will perform spine decompression surgery while you are under general anesthesia, keeping you free of pain and irritation during the procedure.
Incision: Once you are under anesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision at the area of your back or neck that has been compressed for whatever reason. Depending on the specific spine decompression technique, the size and location of the incision will also vary.
Accessing the area: The surgeon will access the area of the spine by carefully separating the muscles and other tissues in a manner that minimises disturbance to the area, using specialised instruments and techniques.
Decompression: The surgeon will decompress the spine using steps related to the specific procedure; he/she may remove a piece of the lamina, remove a herniated disc or repair it, enlarge the neural foramen, or remove a portion of bone.
Closure: After the decompression has been performed the surgeon will close the incision using sutures and in some instances may use skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin.
Post-operative care: Pain medications and other rehabilitation procedures will be used to manage any follow-up postoperative pain. You may also be asked to wear a brace or have activity restrictions for a period following the surgery.
The price of spine decompression surgery in India is around USD 7500 to USD 10000 but can vary depending on the patient's condition and the hospital's facilities. Additionally, the surgeon's skills can vary from one surgeon to another, and the procedure or type of surgery can also differ. The levels of the spine to be considered in surgery will also differ from each individual which can vary the price of surgery.
Bone scans: A bone scan is an imaging test that can find fractures, cancer or infections in your bones. If there is a question about the source of your back pain that is not seen on an X-ray, your provider may order a bone scan.
Diskography: Your healthcare provider injects contrast (a dye that can be seen on X-ray or other scans) into your back and then takes pictures using computed tomography (CT). A diskography can show damage to your disk.
Electromyography tests: Your health care provider may order electromyography tests to measure the electrical signals in your nerves and muscles. An evoked potential study measures the speed at which electrical signals travel from your nerve to your brain. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are performed to determine how well your nerves are functioning.
Diagnostic imaging: Your healthcare provider will use diagnostic imaging to take pictures of the inside of your body. These images can be a signal for the cause of your pain. Diagnostic imaging can include CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-rays.
Here are some common symptoms or conditions that may indicate the necessity for spine decompression surgical procedure:
Spine decompression surgery is very successful each time, yet it has some possible risks. Some risks include:
Infection
Any open surgery has a risk for infection. In spine decompression surgery, the infection may develop along the incision and may migrate to other areas.
Bleeding
In some cases, spine decompression surgery can cause excessive bleeding either during the surgical procedure or after the closure that can impact the recovery period.
Blood Clots
Immobility during and after surgery can increase the risk for blood clots to occur in the legs or lungs. These clots can travel to other organs through the blood stream and cause death.
Nerve Injury
There is the possibility of nerve injury during decompression spine surgery period. Nerve injury can lead to pain, numbness, weakness and paralysis.
Dural Tear
The dura mater is the protective covering around your spinal cord and nerve roots. During surgery, it is possible that the dura mater can be torn accidentally. If the dura mater is torn it may leak spinal fluid and need additional surgery to repair.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
In some cases when decompression spine surgery is performed and doesn't get you relief or has recurring symptoms, it may be classified as failed back surgery syndrome. Failed back surgery syndrome is not uncommon when the spine is unstable or if there is not enough decompression.
Anesthesia Risks
There are risks associated with anesthesia. This can include allergic reactions to anesthesia, issues with breathing after anesthesia, or problems with your cardiovascular system.
General Surgical Risks
In addition to the previous surgical risks, decompression spine surgery carries the risk of problems with healing of the wound, scarring, reactions to suture materials or other materials used during the surgery, or drug reactions.
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