Three main types of back surgery
There are three basic types of back surgery:- A laminectomy - removing the back part of the bone (called the lamina) over the spinal column. A segment of lamina can be removed to relieve pressure on a nerve, or the entire lamina can be removed. This procedure can now be performed through a small incision with the aid of a microscope.
- A diskectomy – removing a portion of a disk to relieve pressure on a nerve.
- A spinal fusion – this involves the permanent fusion of two or more vertebrae for more stability, to correct a deformity or to relieve pain. In the first step, surgeons will remove the disk between the two vertebrae in question. In a second step, the surgeon will harvest small pieces of extra bone from your hip or pelvic bone. In some cases they will use wires, rods, screws, metal cages or plates.
What about new and less invasive procedures?
The era of less invasive surgery has dawned – also in back surgery. Smaller keyhole incisions are replacing large surgical cuts. These less invasive techniques include:- Vertebroplasty – the injection of bone cement into a fractured or collapsed vertebrae. The hardened cement will seal and stabilize the fracture and relieve pain. People suffering chronic and severe pain from a compression fracture, will be considered for this procedure.
- Kyphoplasty – the insertion of a “balloon” to expand a compressed vertebra and the injection of bone cement.
