When dealing with back problems, you want evaluation and treatment recommendations from the best spine surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO. Here’s information on common treatments offered by our spinal team at Front Range Neurosurgery.
Spinal Surgery Is Not Always The First and Best Choice
Your spine surgeon in Colorado Springs prefers non-operative treatments before recommending surgery whenever possible. After a review of your back pain and other symptoms, your doctor will perform an examination of your spine and associated muscles, along with appropriate digital imaging. Fortunately, a large percentage of lower back pain complaints can be treated conservatively.
If the surgeon advises conservative treatment, your care plan may include:
- Oral pain medications and anti-inflammatories
- Epidural injections
- Physical therapy
- Routine exercise and stretches
- Weight loss
- Smoking cessation
- Massage therapy and chiropractic care
When Surgery Is The Best Option
When back pain persists for weeks to months, and when other symptoms, such as pain in the legs or bladder or bowel dysfunction occurs, you may need surgical treatment. Here are some common surgical treatments performed by our expert spinal surgeons.
Microdiscectomy
By far, this is the most common back surgery. With today’s innovative techniques, it can be performed minimally invasively. People with chronic conditions, such as a herniated disc, benefit from this outpatient procedure.
It removes part of the affected intervertebral disc in the spine. Discs are the fibrous spacers between the bones in the spine. Through a small incision, the spine surgeon removes just the portion of the disc, which is compressing and irritating nearby nerves. Because it is minimally invasive, microdiscectomy features:
- Less pain than other kinds of back surgery
- Minimal scarring
- Quick recovery
Lumbar Laminectomy
More intricate and involved, a laminectomy removes the back part of a vertebra. Taking out the lamina makes more room in the spinal canal, relieving painful pressure on nerves.
Laminectomy is what surgeons call an “open” surgery, because of the two to five-inch incision required to perform it. Patients stay in the hospital for a short period of time before being discharged to rest at home. Patients are often required to partake in physical therapy during recovery.
Spinal Fusion
This common surgical procedure may be performed in many areas of the back–the neck and lower spine, for example–and for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Spinal fracture, infection, or tumor
- Slipped discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis
Today’s innovations allow the surgeon to enter the spinal area through the front of the body (anteriorly) or through the more traditional posterior access. Either way, the doctor fuses or permanently stabilizes, two vertebrae with bone grafts and hardware, such as plates and screws.
Kyphoplasty
Osteoporosis is a well-known degenerative bone disease common among post-menopausal women. This weakens bones significantly, often leading to fractures.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive, outpatient surgery that involves the insertion of a catheter and inflatable balloon into the affected area. The surgeon fills the vertebrae with special cement that recreates the original size, shape, and strength of the bone.
Disc Replacement
Instead of spinal fusion, the surgeon may offer one of today’s most innovative operative treatments–cervical or lumbar disc replacement, or arthroplasty. Instead of fixing an area of the spine in place, the doctor removes the damaged intervertebral disc and inserts an artificial one.
Pain is eliminated and much of natural movement is preserved. At Front Range Neurosurgery, our doctors have established the Artificial Disc Institute to deliver the latest in artificial disc procedures and technologies to qualified Colorado Springs patients.
Learn More From The Best Spine Surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO
At Front Range Neurosurgery, our four board-certified neurosurgeons have years of experience in treatments and surgeries for neurological, spinal, and orthopedic conditions of all kinds and severities. Please contact one of our five area locations–Lone Tree, Parker, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, or Centennial–for a consultation about your specific health concern. We want you well-informed, pain-free, and functional.
Call today for an appointment with Dr. Raussino, Dr. Boy, Dr. Dubon, or Dr. Szuszczewicz: (303) 790-1800, or book online using our appointment request form.
