10 Facts You Need to Know About Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Spinal Stenosis SurgeryYou can never be too careful about your health. Living with chronic and often debilitating pain is, unfortunately, a reality for many patients, and can sap life of all its joy.

Spinal ailments are some of the major causes of chronic pain, and are caused by a variety of conditions.

Spinal stenosis is a fairly rare condition in which the spinal canal can start to narrow, exerting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This causes numbness, tingling, and often pain in the arms, legs, torso or back. It often requires spinal stenosis surgery.

Spinal stenosis most commonly occurs in those above 50 years of age and can be categorized into two main types—Lumbar Stenosis and Cervical Stenosis.

Lumbar Stenosis- This affliction targets the spinal nerve roots in the lower part of the back, often producing symptoms of sciatica—tingling, weakness or numbness that radiates from the lower back and spreads to the hips and legs.

Cervical Stenosis- Rarer than lumbar stenosis, cervical stenosis is characterized by pain in the neck and is often more dangerous than lumbar stenosis. Compression of the spinal cord can lead to serious problems—often even paralysis.

The treatment involved in spinal stenosis can be fraught with dangers, and must be ventured into only with a qualified and experienced medical professional. Cervical spine surgery recovery can take three months to a year.

Neurological surgery and spine surgery are extremely invasive and critical procedures, as the target area is the spinal cord. A minor slip by the physician can cause extreme complications, including patient paralysis.

Here are 10 important things to keep in mind if you are contemplating corrective surgery to treat spinal stenosis:

  1. Spinal stenosis surgery is often seen as the last resort in treatment.

Physicians don’t often recommend spinal stenosis surgery unless all other options have been exhausted.

Your doctor will most likely try to treat spinal stenosis with other, non-invasive options like exercise, physical therapy and perhaps, a back or neck brace, before resorting to surgery.

Some considerations physicians keep in mind when recommending stenosis of the spine surgery are:

  • If the patient has been suffering pain from a long time
  • Whether stenosis has caused numbness or loss of sensation in the limbs
  • Loss of control over bowel movement
  • Loss of strength and control in the arms and legs.
  1. Spinal stenosis can often be treated non-surgically.

Exercise, physiotherapy and physical constrictions can often clear up mild cases of stenosis, without requiring surgery.

Doctors may prescribe one of more of the following, non-invasive modes of treatment.

  • Medication to alleviate pain
  • Exercises to correct spinal narrowing
  • Medicines to reduce swelling
  • Physical therapy with a qualified physiotherapist
  • Limits on physical activity
  • A brace or similar constrictive instrument for the back.

Spinal cord stimulation is also a mildly invasive, but very effective form of treatment that can help in alleviating spinal stenosis symptoms.

  1. Prepping for surgery.

Spinal stenosis surgery often requires specialized blood tests, ECG, urinalysis, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other tests to determine the patient’s health condition.

In addition, patients may be asked to follow a special diet before surgery, refrain from smoking and the use of anticoagulants such as Coumadin and Aspirin, as these can interfere with the natural process of blood coagulation.

  1. Reasons you could need spinal stenosis surgery.

Surgery should  be considered only  if you :

  • Have exhausted all other treatment options.
  • Suffer from chronic and extreme pain.
  • Have low motor strength or loss of sensation in your arms and legs.
  • Have little to no control over bowel movements.
  1. Surgery Techniques.

Spinal stenosis surgery is done to free up areas for your spinal cord and the nerve roots. This is called decompression.

The two main surgery techniques that are often employed in spine surgery are:

  • Decompression– tissue pressing against a nerve structure is removed, making more room for the spinal canal.
  • Stabilization– limits motion between the vertebrae.
  1. Open Spine Surgery or Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Surgery usually performed by means of a deep incision in the back is called open spine surgery;  the minimally invasive procedure is performed via several, smaller incisions requiring the use of a microscope, endoscope, and a tiny camera.

Minimally invasive surgery is by far the safer option; however, severe cases of spinal stenosis may require open spine surgery.

  1. Risks associated with surgery.

The potential risks associated with spinal stenosis surgery are:

  • Injury to spinal cord/nerves
  • Infection
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Pseudoarthrosis (this is where the bony fusion doesn’t heal as well as it should)
  • Bone graft site pain
  • Instrument breakage or failure.
  1. Surgery Outcomes.

Spinal Stenosis surgery yields good results: 80-90% of patients report alleviation of pain levels. However, it doesn’t cure the condition instantly.

Patients may require pain medication for 2-4 weeks and additional time before returning to normal physical activity.

  1. Recovery Period.

The recovery period for spinal stenosis surgery is usually three to six months, but it can last up to a year.

Your doctor will probably instruct you on carefully sitting, standing and moving, to avoid any strain on the spine.

The body needs time to heal after surgery, so it is advisable to avoid heavy lifting, sports or physical exertion during the recovery period.

Pain alleviation techniques and exercises can help here. However, be sure to consult your doctor before starting any sort of physical exercise, therapy or medication.

  1. Alternative treatments.

Non-conventional treatments for spinal stenosis include chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. These can be undergone in conjunction with regular treatment methods.

Another proven way of treating stenosis is SPS (Spinal Cord Stimulation). Most patients having undergone the procedure report a 50 to 70 percent alleviation in pain, and studies suggest that SPS may affect the emotional perception of pain, as well.

Living with chronic pain can be punishing, and is never pleasant. Surgery is one of the ways out; however, other, non-invasive treatments can be just as effective.

Being aware of the risks, outcomes, and realities of stenosis surgery is an important part of the treatment and learning process. Never accede to a surgery unequipped with knowledge and research into the condition, its treatment, and the physician’s credentials.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Happy recovery!

 

 

 

Understanding Cervical Spine Surgery and Recovery

Cervical Spine Surgery and RecoveryThe reasons for needing cervical spine surgery vary from patient to patient. If your doctor is advising that you have this type of procedure, you may be wondering about the recovery process.

If your doctor has advised you to have this type of procedure, you may be wondering about the recovery process.

Keep reading to learn more.

Cervical Spine Surgery: The basics

Cervical spine surgery is not usually the first option presented to a patient by a physician. However, if other methods of treatment are not successful, you might find yourself preparing for this type of surgery due to one of the following issues:

Cervical Disc Disease

Cervical Disc Disease often occurs as part of normal wear and tear on the cervical discs which are what allow you to move your neck freely and without pain.

When these discs begin to deteriorate, they can bulge or even rupture, resulting in pain, numbness, stiffness and/or weakness in the neck, arm, shoulder and/or hand.

Spinal Stenosis

Stenosis of the spine is a narrowing of the spinal canal, most often affecting older adults, usually as the result of arthritis.

Stenosis can also be caused by cervical disc herniation in which case surgery may be an option for relief.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis include numbness, tingling and/or weakness in the hand or leg, and nerve issues with the bowel or bladder.

Some patients may have issues with walking or balance.

Cervical Osteoarthritis

Again, the result of normal wear and tear or the aging process itself, Cervical Osteoarthritis can result in the growth of spurs or extra cartilage on the spine.

Symptoms are generally neck stiffness and pain, shoulder pain, headaches, or grinding of the neck when turning it.

These are just a few of the spinal issues that might result in a need for cervical spine surgery.

If the causes of your symptoms are not readily known, your doctor may use pain mapping. This treatment specifically targets abnormalities shown in MRIs or X-Rays as a process of elimination.

By pain mapping, your physician can more definitively determine the root cause of your symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Depending on your diagnosis, your surgical options may include minimally invasive procedures that can go a long way in providing pain relief.

Cervical fusion surgery is one of these and can be used for the treatment of a variety of spine issues with very little recovery time and fewer risks than with traditional surgeries.

In some cases, however, revision or complex spine surgeries are necessary. A revision surgery doesn’t necessarily mean that a previous procedure was done incorrectly.

The spine is a very complex part of the body. Sometimes, even after a previously successful surgery, the spine can degenerate and cause the need for further surgeries.

Whether you’re facing cervical spine surgery for the first time, or a revision surgery, your recovery is important.

Getting better

The hospital stay required following cervical spine surgery will depend upon the invasiveness of your procedure.

Many times, an overnight hospital stay isn’t required at all and the surgery can be done on an outpatient basis.

The surgery itself could last anywhere from one to several hours. Fusion surgeries tend to take longer than disc surgeries, for example.

While you may feel immediate relief following your procedure, gaining strength back into the affected muscles and tissues will require hours of physical therapy.

If you are required to stay in the hospital for one or two nights following your surgery, here is what you can most likely expect:

Post-Op

As is the case following most surgeries, a nurse will monitor the circulation in your legs and feet. You may also have an Incentive Spirometer (respiratory tube) to help you breathe more easily and prevent lung infections.

A restricted diet will not likely be part of your immediate post-op regimen, unless you have other health factors that would require it.

Following most cervical spine surgery, clear liquids are allowed initially,followed by solid foods as soon as you are able to tolerate them.

Incisions and Medications

Your incision site will likely be bandaged and the dressings changed and you may receive IVs to prevent dehydration for the duration of your inpatient hospital stay.

You may be given antibiotics intravenously for several hours after the procedure to prevent infections. Pain medication is also usually available and administered through the IV.

Make sure your nurse knows what level of discomfort, if any, that you are experiencing to ensure you will be able to handle the physical therapy that you will need to begin in the coming days.

An ice pack is often used to bring down swelling and inflammation following the surgery as well.

Physical Therapy

With the aid of a physical therapist, you will likely be allowed to sit on the edge of your bed and allowed to stand.

Patients are generally encouraged to do this within the first 24 hours following surgery. Use caution and do not over-exert yourself by trying to begin moving too quickly.

You will more than likely require a cervical brace for a period of time post-operation. The type of brace and length of time you are required to wear it will also greatly depend upon the type of surgery you required.

Some of the most common braces used are:

  • Philadelphia Collars
  • Halos
  • Soft and Hard Collars
  • Sterno-occipital-mandibular-immobilization devices (SOMIs).

Finding the right treatment for you

Cervical spine surgery is a specialty area that cannot be performed by any physician.

You should consult with a neurosurgeon who specializes in spinal disorders before agreeing to any type of surgical procedure.

With the right physician and the most appropriate procedure, many patients who undergo cervical spine surgery make a full recovery with terrific results.

The only way to know for sure what options are right for you is to havea thorough examination and consultation with a skilled expert.

If you are having issues related to any of the previously mentioned conditions, or if you are a patient considering cervical spine surgery, contact us today for an appointment.

Should You Explore Thoracic Spine Surgery?

thoracic sine surgeryChronic pain is nothing to sneeze at.

In fact, over 100 million Americans suffer from some kind of chronic pain. One of the biggest problems is our backs. From neck to tailbone, our backs cause more disability than any other single problem.

According to a recent study, back pain, and specifically lower back pain accounts for 1 in 10 people being disabled across the globe.

But lower back pain, while the most common, isn’t the only kind of back pain experienced. Thankfully less common, thoracic, or middle back pain can be far more severe and debilitating.

When your middle back hurts, you may feel like you’d do anything to make it better, even surgery. But thoracic spine surgery should be considered very carefully before this drastic measure is taken.

Understanding the other options for thoracic pain and the circumstances when thoracic spine surgery should be considered will help you to make an informed decision about this major procedure.

What Causes Thoracic Pain

You may be wondering why thoracic pain is less common than lower back pain.

This is because the thoracic region – located between the bottom of the neck and the top of the lower back – is well supported. It has to be.

It has to be. There are a lot of important things in the body located in that area.

The vertebra in the thoracic region connects to the ribs, which as you know wrap around and connect to the breastbone in the front. This creates a protective cage around some of the most important organs in your body, like the heart and the liver.

This support means that most damage to this area is either straightforward overuse or poor posture, or caused by major trauma.

With strain or posture issues medication and physical therapy should help. Because the back does so much to support the body, it can take a while for it to heal.

The real problem for thoracic pain comes from the other sources. Major trauma, like a fall, car accident, or getting hit in the back create significant problems in the middle region of the back. There is also the possibility for pain to come from spinal curves, like scoliosis.

When Should You Consider Thoracic Spine Surgery

The short answer to that question is “Only after you’ve tried everything else”.

This can be very frustrating to someone who has experienced middle back pain for a long time. There are a number of potential treatments, from pills to shots to physical therapy, and trying most of them can seem overwhelming when dealing with constant pain.

However, the very same thing that causes thoracic pain to be rare is what causes surgery to be so difficult. Because the thoracic region supports much of the body and helps to protect major organs along with the ribs, surgery can cause more problems than it solves.

For instance, recovery time can be much longer than surgery in other parts of the back. And almost all thoracic spine surgery requires manipulating parts of the body that are important, like the spinal cord and organs.

In recent years, less invasive options have become available. If you and your doctor decide that thoracic spine surgery is the right option for you, make sure you understand the types of surgery available.

When you’re in pain it feels like nothing else matters. This is doubly true when your back hurts. Your back is part of everything you do, so whether it’s lower back, neck or thoracic pain, you just want the pain to go away.

But, especially when considering the major surgery that’s involved with thoracic pain, you should make an informed decision and know that everything else has failed to work, first.

Revision Spine Surgery

Revision Spine SurgeryEvery year, almost 600,000 Americans undergo back surgery.

Some surgeries are the result of trauma. Other patients are hoping the surgery will end their chronic back pain.

The unfortunate truth is, for many, the pain continues even after surgery.

A study published in Spine revealed that almost half of back surgery patients have post-surgery pain.

The study examined more than 700 patients who underwent surgery for lumbar fusion.

Use of painkillers increased after surgery for 41 percent of patients. After two years post-surgery, only 26 percent of patients had returned to work.

Of those patients, 27 percent had to have additional surgeries.

Revision spine surgery is common.

Surgery is always a risk. For some people, having additional surgeries to reverse effects of a previous surgery sounds like an unnecessary risk.

But if you’re living with excruciating back pain, it’s a risk worth taking. If you’re still not convinced, keep reading to learn 8 reasons why revision spine surgery may be for you.

1. You’re experiencing complications with hardware put in place during a previous surgery

Various hardware is used for some back surgeries. This is especially common in surgeries aimed at re-fusing the spine.

Screws may be put into place to apply pressure to the spine and promote fusion.

Like any piece of hardware, those used in back surgeries may fail from time to time. If they aren’t placed correctly, they may not aid with fusion, or they may cause discomfort for the patient.

In either case, surgery may be necessary.

Without effective hardware, it is unlikely that the initial surgery will be successful. Therefore, revision spinal surgery would be the only chance to treat the injury and reduce pain.

2. Your bones did not re-fuse post-surgery

While the risk of hardware failure can be a concern, without screw, clamps, or other devices some patients may not heal properly after surgery. Proper fusion between bones requires pressure. Hardware can assist with this.

If your spine doesn’t re-fuse after surgery, you may have needed extra pressure.

With revision spine surgery, hardware may be added to help promote fusion.

Without the surgery, healing is unlikely in this case. As a result, a patient may experience the same pain that existed before the initial surgery.

3. You didn’t follow post-surgery recommendations and a complication arose

Patients sometimes choose not to follow all post-surgery recommendations from their doctor. Doing so may render the initial surgery ineffective.

For instance, not resting following some back surgeries will prevent proper healing.

Even smoking or taking certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, after lumbar fusion surgery can cause your bones not to fuse properly.

4. You’re experiencing adjacent segment degeneration

Some patients never experience pain relief following a back surgery. Others don’t need revision spine surgery until several years later when the pain returns.

That is the case with patients who experience adjacent segment degeneration, or ASD.

ASD involves anatomical changes to the spine after surgery that cause pain.

Surgeons and experts aren’t sure whether ASD is the result of pre-existing conditions worsening or other causes.

This condition is most common after spinal fusion surgeries.

A patient could go two or more years with no pain before ASD occurs. When it does set it, it can be very painful. Revision spine surgery is often the only treatment option.

5. You’ve had a second disc herniation

When a patient undergoes surgery for a herniated disc, the surgeon will often remove onlypart of the damaged disc. Sometimes, the remaining part may herniate as well.

When this occurs, a revision spine surgery will be necessary. During surgery, the surgeon will remove the remaining damaged pieces of the disc. Until those parts are gone, pain will continue.

6. A preexisting problem has persisted or worsened post-surgery

Surgery for deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis may be onlytemporary fixes.

Depending on the patient’s condition, an initial back surgery may only temporarily reduce pain or deterioration.

Non-surgical treatments may help reduce pain or keep a condition from worsening. But these treatments are not always enough.

Some patients may need surgeries every few years to keep up with the deterioration.

Additionally, conditions that cause poor bone quality may lead to deterioration and pain after surgery. Sometimes, revision spine surgery can reverse the effects these conditions have on treated areas.

7. You develop an infection or nerve pain after surgery

Infections are not uncommon following any kind of surgery. The causes for them vary, as do the complications that infections can cause.

If you develop an infection around a piece of hardware used for back surgery, a revision spine surgery might be necessary to remove or replace it.

Another complication that isn’t uncommon following back surgery is nerve pain.

Nerves may become compressed after an operation on the spine. In this case, the pain can be severe. Medications and other non-surgery treatments may reduce pain, but won’t fix the problem.

8. Your initial surgery wasn’t successful

Surgery for chronic pain isn’t always an exact science. Sometimes, surgery is performed on the wrong site. In this case, the patient still experiences pain.

A patient’s initial diagnosis could be wrong. Other times, the pain a patient is feeling is from several injuries or conditions. As a result, one surgery isn’t enough.

In either case, revision spine surgery may be necessary.

Are you a candidate for revision spine surgery?

There are many treatment options for back pain. Sometimes, pain can be treated by non-surgical techniques. Other times, the only effective way to treat conditions and reduce pain is through additional surgeries.

If you are experiencing any of the above complications, you may be a candidate for revision spine surgery.

If revision spine surgery is required, a minimally invasive procedure may be possible. Other times, however,a more complex surgery is necessary.

Differences Between Neurological Surgery And Spine Surgery

Neurological Spine SurgeryWhen facing the possibility of undergoing neurological surgery and spine surgery, we know you have countless questions.

In the following, we outline the differences between neurological surgery and spine surgery inour list of the top 7 facts you need to know to feel safe and empowered before your operation.

Fact 1: Neurological Surgery And Spine Surgery—The Numbers

When you’re going in for an operation, you’ll likely need to weigh your options about whether you’re going to choose a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon.

Fortunately, the vast majority of surgeries can be completed by both neurological surgeons and spine surgeons.

62% of all surgeries completed in 1 year by neurosurgeons are spine surgeries – over 1.3 million surgeries in total.

Orthopedic surgeons complete about 29 procedures every month, and the majority of orthopedic surgeons work within private practices.

Both are certified by their respective boards, but there is not yet an overarching board related to spine specialty.

Neurosurgeons train for between 6-7 years after medical school, and orthopedic surgeons train for an additional 4-5 years after medical school.

The takeaway here? No matter which option you choose, both types of surgeons will have had lots of experience in the field of spine surgery—one not necessarily better than the other.

Fact 2: What Are The Most Common Reasons For Spine Surgery?

Most patients need spine surgery to heal:

  • Tumors
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal Deformities
  • Fractures
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spinal Instability

In most cases, spinal surgery is the “last resort” after all other treatment options have been exhausted for those whose quality of life is significantly on the decline due to spinal problems.

If you begin having severe weakness in your legs and arms, notice problems with bladder function and control, or have persistent pain, talk to your specialist right away.

Fact 3: What Are The Main Differences Between Neurological Surgery And Spine Surgery?

As we stated above, there aren’t as many major differences between these two types of surgeons as one might initially suspect.

Neurosurgeons are either Medical Doctors or Osteopathic Doctors of Medicine. They are trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the spine and spinal cord, the brain, the nerves, and intracranial and intraspinal vasculature.

They usually have a specialization in brain surgery, spine surgery, or occasionally both.

Neurosurgeons are usually the most qualified option when it comes to intradural surgery (that’s surgery inside your spinal cord’s dura) like thecal sac tumors.

Orthopedic surgeons may also be Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine,and their residencies usually focus on treating musculoskeletal conditions. They’re also experts in lots of bone and joint disorders such as arthritis, bone tumors, hand injuries, joint replacement, and spinal disorders.

Like neurosurgeons, their practice can focus on a few specific disorders, or only one.

Orthopedic surgeons are usually more qualified to work on spinal deformity issues like scoliosis.

Fact 4: How Much Pain Can I Expect?

Of course, the amount of pain you’ll feel will be influenced by individual pain tolerance and the type of surgery you’re having. How you manage this pain will also depend on your individual experience with surgery.

Likely, your doctor will offer to prescribe medication to help with pain management, but as always, be sure to use it only as directed.

The majority of patients who have undergone spinal surgery say they feel much better, even right after surgery, than they did before the procedure. Usually, you’ll feel the most amount of discomfort in the three or so days immediately following your surgery.

Pre-existing medical conditions can also influence the amount of pain you feel.

Fact 5: What Plans Should I Make For Immediate Aftercare?

How you recover from your surgery will affect the length of recovery, and can prevent you from having to undergo another procedure. For both neurological surgery and spine surgery, make sure you’ve delegated tasks to members of your family.

If your recovery is slated to be especially tough, consider in-home care or a brief stay in a Transitional Care Unit. Of course, if you have children, plan for appropriate childcare.In any case,make sure you have someone to drive you to and from your surgery.

Fact 6: What Are The Most Common Risks of Neurological Surgery And Spine Surgery?

We know you’re concerned about what could go wrong when undergoing spine surgery, but fortunately, certified surgeons are highly unlikely to make a mistake. Still, these risks are one of the reasons why it’s so important to ensure your surgeon is properly certified.

Risks include:

  • Weakness
  • Paralysis
  • Numbness
  • Leaking of Spinal Fluid
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Requirement of Additional Surgery
  • Bleeding
  • Infection

These risks also emphasize how crucial it is for you to follow your doctor’s orders to the letter before and after your surgery.

Fact 7: What Will My Recovery Time Be Like?

There’s no single formula that can speed up your recovery time; everyone recovers at a different pace. Plus, recovery time will also be influenced by the extensivenessof your surgery and the issue you needed the surgery to correct.

Factors influencing recovery include:

  • Age
  • Health
  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Your attitude and motivation

Recovery periods can range from about 4-6 weeks to 6 months.

Many patients are shy to ask when they can resume sexual activity after spine surgery. For many, when you’re ready to go back to work, you can also get back to work in the bedroom.

Most doctors suggest letting the amount of pain you feel be your guide, but if your doctor has given you a timeline to avoid strenuous activity, follow those same guidelines for when it’s safe to resume intercourse.

Neurological Surgery And Spine Surgery: You’re Ready For Your Procedure

Now that this quick guide has helped you to learn the differences between these types of surgeries, and has informed you about the things they have in common, it’s time for you to talk to your doctor and let his/her opinion influence your final decision.

For more facts, advice, and frequently asked questions about spinal surgery, please keep reading our blog or feel free to contact us.

Cervical Kyphosis Treatment: What You Need to Know

cervical kyphosis treatmentHave you recently been diagnosed with cervical kyphosis?

This spinal disorder can be a little pain in the butt, but there are some great treatment options available.

We put together a guide to understanding cervical kyphosis and what some of the best cervical kyphosis treatment options are. Check out what we found!

What Is Cervical Kyphosis?

When one views the cervix from the side, a healthy cervical spine will point inwards to a certain degree.

This curve is known as lordosis.

When an abnormal curve in the spine occurs, it is known as kyphosis. This curve typically is in the shape of a crescent moon pointing towards the front of the cervix.

There are several causes that lead to cervical kyphosis.

Sometimes surgery, especially a laminectomy, can cause pockets of space between vertebrae and a lack of stability that can cause the curving of the spine.

Cervical kyphosis can also be a congenital defect. Degenerative disc disease and physical trauma can also cause cervical kyphosis, as well as many other bone and back problems.

So what makes cervical kyphosis so dangerous? There’s a laundry list of symptoms that could affect your quality of life:

  • Minor to severe deformities in the spine
  • Brain problems and  neurological restrictions
  • Chronic, intense pain
  • Little to no neck movement
  • Spinal cord stretching that could lead to weakness in the limbs, inability to walk, loss of bowel control, and possible paralysis

Once diagnosed, you’ll absolutely need to undergo cervical kyphosis treatment as soon as possible.

Everything You Need To Know About Cervical Kyphosis Treatment

In order find the proper cervical kyphosis treatment, it’ll need to be established what form of cervical kyphosis you have.

Here are some of the basic forms of cervical kyphosis and their respective treatments.

Osteoporosis kyphosis

This cause is the most common one for adults and is caused by osteoporosis, which weakens the vertebrae.

To treat this form of cervical kyphosis, the osteoporosis will have to be treated first to prevent more fractures from happening.

Pain medication or shots will be administered, and there may need to be surgery to fix the fracture itself.

Congenital kyphosis

A common for of kyphosis in babies and children.

Simply put, a malformation in the spine while in utero leads to kyphosis.

To treat this type of kyphosis, doctors will almost certainly suggest surgery– this would be the one type of kyphosis that is pretty much guaranteed to require surgery.

Typically, the surgery will include realigning the spine and several more surgeries throughout the child’s growing life will be likely.

Degenerative kyphosis

Disc degenerations and spinal arthritis can cause this form of kyphosis.

Most sufferers of this type of kyphosis will take regular pain medication and physical therapy, as well as regular exercise, to treat the pain-related symptoms of degenerative kyphosis.

Surgery is an uncommon result.

Neuromuscular kyphosis

Children and babies with neuromuscular disorders like muscular dystrophy may suffer from neuromuscular kyphosis due to their preexisting conditions.

Surgery may be recommended.

Get Cervical Kyphosis Treatment Today

How was our guide to cervical kyphosis treatment? We want to hear what you think in the comments below.

Causes and Treatments of Spinal Cord Tumors

spinal cord tumorsA spinal cord tumor is a growth that develops within the spinal cord itself or between the spinal cord and its protective sheaths. They can be either benign or malignant (noncancerous or cancerous) and affect approximately 10,000 people in the United States each year.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor, you’re sure to have questions.

Why did this happen? Where do we go from here?

Read on to learn all you need to know about spinal cord tumors and the best treatment options.

Causes of spinal cord tumors

Though it is often unknown what causes the tumors to develop in the first place, it is thought that defective genes may be at the root of the problem.

It is unclear whether genetics play a role, if the cells are reacting to something in the environment, or if these tumors are developing spontaneously.

Spinal cord tumors are split into different groups based on where and how the tumor first develops.

  • Benign primary spinal cord tumors: Most benign spinal cord tumors originate in the cells next to the spinal cord or within the spinal cord itself, rather than having spread from another part of the body.
  • Malignant primary spinal cord tumors: A malignant tumor will rarely originate in the spinal cord, but it is unlikely to spread to other parts of the body like many other types of cancer.
  • Malignant secondary spinal cord tumors: More often than not, the cancer will have started elsewhere in the body and spread to the spinal cord if the spinal cord tumor is found to be malignant. Lung, prostate, and breast cancer are often the sources of these secondary tumors.

Symptoms

Depending on the size and exact location of the tumor, different patients may have different symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

  • Back pain
  • Weak muscles
  • Difficulty walking
  • Loss of control of bowel and bladder functions
  • Loss of sensation in different areas, such as the arms and legs
  • Decreased sensitivity to hot, cold, and pain

These symptoms overlap with several other medical conditions, so be sure to talk with your doctor if you are concerned.

Treatment Options

Treatment should be sought as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is started, the less likely the risk of permanent damage becomes.

The first concern with spinal cord tumors is often whether or not the tumor is compressing the spinal cord, which can lead to permanent loss of sensation or mobility. If this is the case, medications can be given to help reduce the swelling upon diagnosis.

This will be followed by surgery to remove the tumor.

If a surgical removal of the tumor is not possible due to the location of the tumor or other health concerns, radiation therapy will be used. This is a common treatment for secondary spinal cord tumors.

Sometimes the treatment plan will call for both surgery and radiation therapy.

Recovery

Recovery varies from case to case and depends largely on the tumor itself.

Smaller tumors that were caught early usually lead to a much faster recovery. If the tumor was not detected early, the recovery is likely to take longer.

In some cases, the damage done from the nerves being compressed may be long lasting or permanent even after the tumor is removed.

Muscle and Joint Pain Treatment

Muscle and joint pain are two common issues that affect millions of individuals in the United States alone. In fact, the majority of the population will experience at least one of these issues in their lifetime.

Muscle and joint pain is often classified as a minor issue to be treated over the counter. That’s perhaps especially true if it is an occasional occurrence or is caused by a specific incident.

That doesn’t mean that you should ignore the pain or that it’s not serious. Let’s take a look at the causes and treatments of joint and muscle pain.

What is Muscle Pain?

Most people have experienced muscle pain at some point. As many as one third of adults in the United States have experienced muscle pain within the last 30 days. It’s often described as a soreness in one’s muscles that occurs from overuse or injury.

Changes to your exercise routine, for example, might stretch parts of your muscles that aren’t used to moving much. When this happens, you will get small injuries or tears in their connective tissue and fibers. This pain tends to peak around 48 hours after the exertion or injury occurs, and then begins to slowly get better.

What is Joint Pain?

Joints facilitate connections between different bones and give help and support while you move. Pain or injury to our joints, then, can significantly restrict your movement and lower your quality of life.

Joint pain can be caused by a number of issues, including some of the following:

1. Osteoarthritis: a condition caused by injury, obesity, and aging joints.
2. Overuse or injury to ligaments or meniscus, strains, or sprains.
3. Bursitis: irritation or inflammation of the bursa, which is used by muscles, bones, and tendons to decrease irritation, rubbing, and friction.
4. Gout: a form of arthritis that can cause stiffness, burning pain, and joint swelling.
5. Rheumatoid arthritis: a condition caused by your immune system attacking joint linings.

Knee pain is perhaps the most common result of joint issues, but shoulder, hip, and back pains follow closely. Joint pain can be mildly annoying to completely debilitating, and might be acute in nature – that is, it only lasts for a few weeks – or chronic, meaning it lasts for months.

How Do You Treat Joint and Muscle Pain?

With both muscle and joint pain, the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are often used and recommended for the short term. You do not want to use these for too long, however, as they can cause liver damage when used for long amounts of time. Some examples of NSAIDs include:

1. Aspirin
2. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
3. Naproxen (Aleve)

If you have kidney disease, ulcers, or liver disease, however, you should be very cautious when it comes to using any kind of NSAID.

Beyond OTC medications, there are a few things you can do at home to help joint and muscle pain.

When you experience muscle pain, it is a good idea to apply ice to the area affected right away. This will help cut down on inflammation. You can later add heat to the area to help increase blood flow and promote healing. Do not overdo it, but exercise is also a great way to help muscle pain heal.

When it comes to joint pain, the treatments are a bit less simple. You can try to apply heat or cold to the area, for example, in an attempt to relieve the pain. You can also talk to your doctor about some form of physical therapy or medication to help your joints recover. Sometimes, rest might also be the best option.

If your joint pain does not respond to the treatments above, then it might be useful to look into steroid injections. These are applied directly to the joint in question every three to four months. Sometimes, injecting hyaluronan is on option, as is removing fluid from the area.

I Have Joint and/or Muscle Pain, and Need Help

If you are suffering muscle or joint pain, then perhaps it is time to visit a doctor. Contact Dr. Carl Spivak, an expert physician who runs Executive Spine Surgery.

Contact us today and see how we can help you feel better.

Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorders: Causes and Best Treatments

Degenerative Disk Disease SurgeryDegenerative Cervical Spine Disorders will affect up to two-thirds of the population in their lifetime.

If this term has come up in conversations with your doctor, you aren’t alone. That doesn’t make it any less serious.

If you have been diagnosed with Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder, or consider yourself at risk for it, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be covering the causes and treatments for it.

Let’s get into it!

What is a Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder?

Most people will experience some form of neck pain in their lives. For some people, this pain is an isolated incident or directly related to a neck injury sustained.

However, in the case of individuals with Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder, their neck pain is ongoing and caused by a disorder of the spine. The difference lies in the frequency and intensity of the pain the person feels.

Additionally, the neck pain associated with this disorder is felt mostly when the patient is upright, or attempting to move their head. Other symptoms associated with Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder are numbness, tingling, and other strange sensations in the neck area. Headaches can also be a symptom.

Complications of Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder include bone spurs. These can occur when the discs in your cervical spine have begun to deteriorate, and a growth on your spine occurs to relieve the stress on your spine.

Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder is a complex issue. Now that we’ve considered what this disorder is, let’s take a look at its causes.

What Causes a Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder?

As the term degenerative suggests, a Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder is caused by the breakdown of one or multiple cushioning discs in the cervical spine. This breakdown is often attributed to the “wear and tear” associated with aging.

Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder has been known to affect people as they age. Studies done by the US National Library of Medicine on degenerative spinal discs show the average age of participants to be 53.7. It’s true that people diagnosed with this disorder are often over the age of 40.

However, that doesn’t mean young people aren’t susceptible – individuals as young as 18 have been diagnosed with this disorder, too. In reality, there are a few key causes of Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder, some of which aren’t age-specific:

  • • Genetics – some individuals’ genes cause the discs in their cervical spine to degenerate faster than normal, causing this disorder.
  • • Age – the older you get, the more wear and tear your cervical spine discs have to endure. Additionally, as you age, your spinal discs dry out. This means that there is less fluid present to absorb the shock of movement, so it becomes painful.
  • • Sports – rigorous sports and other strenuous activity can cause the outer core of the disc to deteriorate, causing degenerative cervical spine disorder as well.

One of the main reasons why Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder is such a debilitating condition is because of how permanent it is. Unlike other parts of the body, there is very little blood flow to the discs; therefore, discs can do very little to fix or regenerate themselves.

Even though this is true, rest assured that they are ways to treat this condition. Here are a few ways to do so.

How can Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder be treated?

There is no “one size fits all” solution to Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder. But, there are a few things you can do at the advice of your doctor that can alleviate the symptoms.

One way that this can be done is by doing exercises to strengthen the muscles in the affected area, which will help to lower the pain you’ll feel when doing daily physical activities. Also, improving your diet and eating more healthy and nutritious food can help to alleviate the effects of this musculoskeletal disorder.

Additionally, once you consult with your doctor, there are a few things that he or she may prescribe based on how far along your Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder is.

These include:

  • • Physical therapy – at times, physical therapy under the guidance of a trained specialist may be enough to improve the symptoms associated with this disorder.
  • • Hot and cold therapy – depending on the situation, your doctor may also prescribe therapy involving the use of alternating hot and cold compresses to improve discomfort.
  • • Medication – if the pain is the biggest problem in your situation, your doctor may prescribe different medications to help alleviate pain and/or swelling. These medications range from acetaminophen for pain relief to ibuprofen for swelling of the area.
  • • Surgery – surgery is also a viable option in some cases. The two kinds of surgery that can be done to treat Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder are spinal fusion and an artificial disk replacement.

There are a variety of other ways that Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder can be treated, such as wearing a neck brace. A brace will prevent your neck from assuming painful positions.

Additionally, most doctors agree that strengthening the muscles around the affected area can do a world of good in combating this painful musculoskeletal disorder.

I think I have Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder

Do you think you are currently suffering from Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder? If so, a visit to a doctor is in order. You’ll be able to identify if you indeed have this condition, and the steps that you can take to start alleviating the discomfort associated with it.

If surgery is the route prescribed by your doctor and you’re in the Whiting, Cedar Knolls or Hackettstown, New Jersey area, then Executive Spine Surgery run by Dr. Carl Spivak might be the solution you need. We even offer free MRI reviews and Benefits screening upon request!

Visit our Contact Us page for more information, including our locations and telephone numbers.

Degenerative Cervical Spine Disorder is a condition that doesn’t get better without treatment, so the longer you wait, the more detrimental it could be to your chances of recovery. Get in contact with us today. We’re here for you.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Are You a Good Candidate?

Lower back pain – the kind that you might get from lifting something wrong or sleeping in a weird position – is all too familiar.

Sometimes it shows up as just a lingering dull ache. Other times, it’s a sharp stabbing sensation that shows up only when you bend or twist a certain way.

If you’re lucky, it’s only temporary. If you’re like almost 80% of Americans, it can turn into a chronic condition.

Chronic lower back pain has more than doubled in the U.S. since 1992, regardless of gender or ethnicity.

There are the usual culprits of lower back pain – an old mattress, sitting in a chair all day long, doing heavy lifting or strenuous physical labor – but there are a few things you might not realize are causing your lower back pain.

Your genetics can influence how much pain you feel. They play a part in determining how fast your bones deteriorate over time or if you have more nerves than average.

Whatever the case may be, you’re not alone in experiencing this all-too-common condition. But there is a solution – Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

What’s Going On With Lower Back Pain?

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion is a mouthful for sure, but it’s an effective way to end your lower back pain for good.

Let’s talk about the spine itself for a moment before we get into what TLIF can do for you.

The spine is made out of individual bones called vertebrae. They form a canal through the center that allows your spinal column to travel from your brain to the base of your spine, completely protected by the hard bones.

The spinal column supplies nerves to your entire body. Two nerves branch off from the main bundle at each vertebrae and go where they’re needed. The holes where they exit are called the foramen.

Between each of the vertebrae is a disc – a jelly-like shock absorber for the body bones.

This interbody space can be damaged, causing bones to grind against each other, nerves to pull, or discs to slip out of alignment. As you can imagine, that really hurts!

Here’s where TLIF comes in. By fusing the vertebrae of the lumbar area, it reduces pain by stabilizing the spine and aiding the shock-absorbing discs.

The main goals of this minimally invasive surgery are to improve spinal stability, correct any kind of spinal deformities, and, ultimately, reduce pain.

No doubt you’re wondering if it’s painful or if there’s a long recovery process. Keep reading to find out what exactly is involved with this procedure.

How Does TLIF Work?

Spinal surgery can be scary. The good news is that TLIF is minimally invasive and you’ll even be up and walking the day after surgery.

So what happens during this procedure?

You’ll be under general anesthesia which means you’ll be asleep during the entire process.

The surgeon will first make a small incision above the vertebrae to be fused.

The surgeon then moves the muscles and skin apart from the operation site and removes the damaged disc.

The surgeon clears out most of the disc from between the vertebrae and prepares to insert the object the bone will graft to in order to stabilize the bones. This object can be a bio-compatible polymer implant or even a piece of the patient’s pelvic bone.

Once fused, the nerves are no longer impeded as they exit through the foramen, greatly reducing chronic back pain.

The procedure is fairly simple, but who qualifies to receive it? Are you a good candidate for TLIF?

Who Is A Candidate For This Procedure?

Of course, those who have back pain from just sleeping in a weird position or from a long day of moving house aren’t going to qualify. There are certain chronic indicators and diseases that a TLIF patient has.

Beyond back pain, there’s weakness or pain in the legs, meaning the nerves in the lumbar region are being affected.

Those who haven’t responded well to therapy or medicine also qualify.

There are also many degenerative spinal diseases that can be alleviated by having a Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion procedure.

One of the most common ones is Degenerative Disc Disease, where the vertebral disc is damaged and wears away.

A disc that wears down can bulge against the nerves exiting the foramen, pressing them against the hard bone and causing pain.

Sometimes, arthritic overgrowth takes over the bone. The extra bone pinches the nerve, resulting in a condition called Lateral Stenosis.

Your back pain could be a result of a condition called Spondylolisthesis, where the disc is weak and allows the vertebral bones to shift and slide out of alignment.

If your back pain stems from these or any other serious condition, TLIF is an option you should consider. But is it a long-term and successful solution?

Why Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Works

Not only is TLIF a convenient surgery, it’s one with an extremely high success rate, too.

The surgery itself has been perfected to cause minimal issues for both patients and the surgeon performing it.

Although it’s a relatively small incision, there’s a larger surface area available to facilitate fusion. Fusion can be achieved in both the front and the back with one simple surgery.

By working with the foramen, pain, injury, and scarring to the nerve roots are reduced because the surgeon doesn’t have to forcefully retract them.

Once the procedure is complete, patients will be expected to stay in the hospital for up to five days and will be given narcotics to deal with the pain, but a walking program is started the very next day.

The success rate is incredible! Patients report a 60-70% reduction in pain after the surgery and about 80% of them are satisfied with the results post-op.

They quickly return to work and get back to enjoying their now-pain-free lives.

If you’re ready to work, move, and live without pain, contact Dr. Spivak and have a discussion about whether TLIF is your best option.

Call us now