What is Lumbar Spine Surgery?

Any surgery in the lower back (lumbar spine) is called lumbar spine surgery. Our spine is made up of a number of bones stacked up on each other separated by cushiony disk-like tissue. These bones are circular in shape and form a tube-like structure through which the nerves connecting the brain to the body are passed.

Any problem with the spine is caused when there is a problem with one of these three elements. These problems can be classified as:

•    Disruption in the intervertebral disc.

•    Abnormal motion of the vertebra

•    Compression of the nerves.

There are two main types of surgeries performed in the spine hospitals in India to treat the defect in the lumbar spine (L1-S1 Levels). These surgeries are Lumbar decompression surgery and Lumbar fusion surgery. The type of surgery performed depends on what kind of problem is the patient is suffering from. For instance, a decompression lumbar spine surgery is performed in case of a lumbar herniated disk, a condition where the disk tears and the nerves can leak through the spine. This condition can cause extreme pain I the back, neck and legs and make it difficult for the patient to perform mundane tasks.

Spine treatment in India has advanced through the years. The surgery is performed using latest technology machinery and highly experienced doctors.  They perform a complete diagnosis before the patient it takes for the surgery. In fact, the doctors advise the patient to try different methods to treat the pain before jumping into the surgery as it is a little complicated and can disturb a patient’s life for a little while.

A lumbar decompression spine surgery is usually performed to release the pressure from the spine in order to reduce the pain. In this surgery, a small portion of bone is removed from the spine that is inserting pressure on the nerves or the disk. This not only removes the pressure from the nerve but also gives the nerve space to heal.

Microdiscectomy and Laminectomy are the two most commonly performed Lumbar decompression surgeries. Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive method and provides an almost instant relief in case of leg pain. For numbness and weak muscles, it can take a few weeks to heal after the surgery. Whereas, Laminectomy is an open procedure and has the risk of lumbar stenosis.

The other lumbar spine surgery is lumbar fusion surgery. In this surgery, two vertebrae are joined together through a bone graft in order to stop the motion and reduce the pain. It is performed in cases of lumbar degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis. The lumbar fusion spine surgery tends to reduce the mobility but it is mostly unnoticeable in case of two to three vertebrae.

Whichever surgery that may be performed on the patient, he or she must follow the care plan given by the doctor in order to make sure that the recovery is successful. Moreover, the doctor may also suggest physical therapy to relax the stiffened muscles around the operated area.