DO YOU KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY?
When someone is experiencing pain or other problems, it is always best to get an evaluation with your primary care physician. If the pain is in your lower back or neck, it is best to observe over time and maintain good, stable physical activity to see if the issue resolves. If the issue is not resolved with physical activity, over the counter treatments, or pain management, the next step is to see a specialist for an evaluation.
Our specialty-trained doctors at Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are recognized experts in spinal surgery and treatment. Dr. Jason Eck and Dr. Judit Staneata discuss factors to consider before pursuing spine surgery.
WHAT IS LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY?
Lumbar spine surgery refers to any type of surgery in the lower back, between one or more of the L1-S1 regions. In lumbar spine surgery, several surgical procedures are used to repair the lower back. Sometimes, lumbar spine surgery is the method used when problems with the vertebrae cause pain, numbness, or other symptoms.
When problems with the vertebrae that make up the lumbar spine cause pain, numbness, or other symptoms, lumbar spine surgery can be a solution. Lumbar surgery procedures address these issues:
- Lumbar decompression – removing a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to relieve pinching of the nerve
- Lumbar fusion – joins, or fuses, two or more vertebrae in the lumbar region to stabilize painful motion
Additionally, lumbar spine surgery may be recommended to treat other injuries/diseases that affect the lower back, such as:
- Traumatic injury
- Tumors of the spine and spinal cord
- Blood vessel disorders affecting the spinal cord, such as arteriovenous malformations and cavernous malformations
WHY LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY?
Lumbar spine surgery is used to treat a variety of conditions, including, and not limited to:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated, ruptured, or bulging discs
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Spinal fracture
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spine and spinal cord tumors
- Vascular disorders of the spinal cord
WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD CANDIDATE?
If you have an anatomical defect causing an identifiable problem in your lower lumbar region and physical therapy or medication has not worked, and you are otherwise in reasonably good health – you may be a good candidate for lumbar spine surgery.
A doctor can usually determine if someone has scoliosis through a physical exam, but an x-ray may also be needed to show if the spine has twisted in any way.
OUR TEAM
Our specialty-trained doctors at Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are recognized experts in spinal surgery and treatment. Our team has two incredible spine specialists who are available to treat you for all your spinal needs.
Our experts understand that proper diagnosis is paramount in determining the most effective treatment plan for your individual condition. For a consultation with one of our providers, call us at (910) 484-2171.
