An Overview Of Common Spinal Surgical Procedures | Miraclus
                     AN OVERVIEW OF 
COMMON SPINAL 
SURGICAL PROCEDURES
COMMON SPINAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES:
There are several kinds of spinal surgery that are done to alleviate 
pain. There is microdiscectomy (formerly known as lumbar 
laminectomy), lumbar fusion, fixation, and decompressive 
laminectomy. These are some of the more common and frequently 
performed procedures done for patients suffering from spinal pain 
and injury.
Microdiscectomy:
Microdiscectomy is a surgery that is done for patients who have 
just a herniated disc or a simple ruptured disc. There should be 
no other problems with your spine besides this. It is done 
through a small incision, usually about an inch or less, if your 
doctor has the special instruments and magnification to do so. 
This causes less damage to the muscle and that means less pain 
and quicker recovery time for you. Most patients these days are 
using epidural instead of the general anesthesia. In this surgery, 
the doctor will only remove the ruptured part of the disc since 
the disc is the cushion between your vertebrae.
Lumbar Fusion:
Lumbar Fusion is done for patients that need to have more 
stability between their vertebrae. The patient will get a bone 
fusion from their back, pelvis, or an artificial bone supplement. 
The bone will be prepared and fused between the vertebrae 
that are unstable. This procedure will allow for new bone 
growth and it will also stop motion involving those vertebrae. 
For about three months after the surgery, patients will wear a 
back brace to allow the bone graft and vertebrae to fuse 
together. There will be several x-rays to see if there is any need 
for internal fixation (rods and screws) if the fusion is not where 
it needs to be.
Spinal Fixation:
Fixation of the fusion may be required if there needs to be more 
stability to the spine. Rods and screws will be used to make the 
spine more rigid and to stabilize the fused bones. When there is 
a concrete fusion of the bones, there really is no need to have 
the rods and screws removed.
Decompressive Laminectomy:
Lastly, there is decompressive laminectomy which is mostly used 
for patients that have a small spinal canal (spinal stenosis). This 
condition is frequently due to arthritis in the spinal canal that 
cause the bone spurs and broadening of the ligaments. This will 
cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The doctor will 
remove bone from the spinal canal to allow more room for the 
nerves and spinal cord. The incision will be longer than the 
microdiscectomy and the patient will usually spend a night or 
two in the hospital.