Types of Spine Surgery in Payson, American Fork & Draper, UT
A neurosurgeon performs several types of spine surgery. They include:
- A discectomy to remove the damaged section of a spinal disk to alleviate pressure on spinal nerves
- A laminectomy, removes part of the spinal bone, creating more space for the spinal cord and spinal nerves
- A spinal fusion to remove damaged joints and connect bones in the spine
- Disk replacement, to replace a damaged disk with an artificial disk
- Kyphoplasty, using a small balloon to realign the vertebra
- Cervical discectomy and fusion to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with a pinched nerve or stenosis of the cervical vertebra
When You Might Need Spine Surgery
Your neurosurgeon may recommend spine surgery if you:
- Have a deformity in your spine, such as scoliosis
- Have experienced a back, neck, or spinal injury due to trauma or an accident
- Experience back, neck, or spinal pain frequently, and it is affecting your quality of life
- Feel numbness and tingling in your extremities
- Are you having problems with mobility and flexibility, which is impacting your life
- Are experiencing signs and symptoms of back, neck, or spinal issues that are becoming more severe
Spinal Conditions Treated with Spine Surgery
Spine surgery may be recommended for medical conditions, including:
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis
- Osteoporosis
- A spinal fractures
- Degenerative disc disease
- Nerve compression
Recovery from Spine Surgery
Recovery from spine surgery takes time and will vary, depending on whether conventional or minimally invasive techniques are used. In either case, your neurosurgeon will provide you with post-surgery instructions, including:
- Changing the dressing
- Modifying your activity level
- How much time do you need to take from work or school
In the weeks after your spine surgery, you will also need to visit your neurosurgeon for follow-up appointments. Physical therapy may also be advised to help you increase mobility, strength, and flexibility.