Spine surgery is a medical procedure aimed at examining and addressing various spinal conditions and disorders. Typically recommended as a last resort, this surgery is considered when non-surgical treatments—such as physical therapy, medication, and anti-inflammatory options—have proven ineffective.
There are two primary approaches to spine surgery: traditional (open) surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Traditional spine surgery involves significant exposure of the spinal area for treatment, while minimally invasive techniques allow surgeons to operate without extensive disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues. Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) is often preferred due to its advantages, including shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times, reduced infection risk, less bleeding, and minimized post-operative pain.
Indications for Spine Surgery
The main objectives of spine surgery include stabilizing injuries, preventing further complications, alleviating symptoms, correcting deformities, and facilitating early mobilization.
Spine surgery may be necessary for treating various conditions, such as:
- Neck and Back Injuries: Persistent neck and back pain that does not improve with conservative treatments may warrant surgical intervention. Your healthcare provider will assess your situation to determine the need for surgery.
- Spinal Deformities: Abnormal spinal alignment, whether congenital or acquired through trauma, can be effectively corrected through surgery. Common deformities include lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.
- Herniated Discs: This condition occurs when the jelly-like center of a spinal disc protrudes through its tougher outer layer, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Spinal Stenosis: The narrowing of spaces within the spine can put pressure on nerves, resulting in symptoms like pain, tingling, muscle weakness, and numbness.
- Sciatica: Characterized by pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the legs, sciatica is often caused by nerve pressure or irritation.
- Degenerative Disc Diseases: Age-related deterioration of spinal discs can lead to conditions known as degenerative disc diseases or osteoarthritis of the spine.
- Scoliosis: This condition involves a sideways curvature of the spine, typically developing during the growth spurts of puberty.
- Spondylolisthesis: This disorder occurs when a vertebra slips out of position, often seen in athletes involved in sports like gymnastics and football.
- Vertebral Compression Fractures: Usually resulting from osteoporosis, these fractures occur when weakened vertebrae collapse.
- Spinal Infections: Though rare, infections can arise from bacteria, viruses, or fungi, causing symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and muscle spasms.
- Spinal Tumors: Tumors affecting the spine can be either benign or malignant, forming abnormal tissue masses inside or around the spinal cord.
Types of Spine Surgery
Various spine surgery types are available, tailored to each patient’s unique condition, symptom severity, overall health, and age. Common surgical procedures include:
- Discectomy
- Laminectomy
- Laminotomy
- Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
What to Expect
Before surgery, your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include X-rays, MRI scans, and laboratory tests. Based on the findings, specific pre-operative instructions will be provided.
The nature of your condition, symptoms, and surgical type will guide your surgeon’s approach. Recovery duration will vary depending on the procedure, and following your surgeon’s post-operative guidelines is crucial for a successful recovery.
Why Choose Us for Spine Surgery?
- 100% safe and precise surgical procedures
- Computer-assisted surgical techniques
- Advanced AI and mixed reality applications in spine surgery
- Internationally recognized spine specialists
- On-site physiotherapy center for rehabilitation
At Yupiter Hospital, the Department of Orthopaedics is dedicated to providing safe and effective spine surgeries. Our team comprises world-renowned experts known for their innovative techniques and pioneering achievements in spine care. With cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise, we effectively treat a wide range of spinal conditions, including degenerative issues, injuries, and tumors.
