Decompression Surgery

Spinal decompression surgery relieves symptoms caused by pressure (or compression) on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Bulging or collapsed disks, arthritic facet joints, thickened ligaments, and bony growths as spurs can narrow the spinal canal and the spinal nerve openings (causing irritation). Spinal decompression surgery can be performed with or without spinal fusion.

Symptoms of spinal nerve compression include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Unsteadiness

Spine fusion surgery

Spinal fusion surgery permanently connects two or more vertebrae in your spine and eliminates motion between them to stabilize the spine. It is designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones. For some patients with serious spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, or nerve compression with associated low back pain, fusion surgery is the treatment of choice. Your spine may also be unstable from a traumatic event. Another cause could be a decompression procedure that has created spinal instability by removing bone, disc, and soft tissue, leading to the need for a spinal fusion.

When is spine fusion surgery needed?

• A traumatic event – Spinal fusion can reverse instability from a spinal cord injury or vertebral compression fractures
• A decompression procedure –This may have created spinal instability as it may have involved removing bone, disc, and soft tissue, leading to the need for a spinal fusion.
• Deformities of the spine (Scoliosis) – Spinal fusion can help correct spinal deformities, such as a sideways curvature of the spine.
• Spinal weakness or instability – Your spine may become unstable if there’s abnormal or excessive motion between two vertebrae. This is a common side effect of severe spinal arthritis and spondylolisthesis. Spinal fusion can be used to restore spinal stability in such cases.
• Herniated Disk – Spinal fusion may be used to stabilize the spine after the removal of a damaged (herniated) disk.
• Spinal stenosis – This is a narrowing of the vertebral spinal canal, and is a common condition that can result in compression of the nerves.
• Degenerative Disc disease
• Spinal Infections
• Spinal Tumors