The spine is a complex system of bones, muscles, cartilage, and nerve tissue. Given its complexity, it’s no surprise that many people will eventually encounter back problems, such as pain, stiffness, or limited mobility. There are many interventions, including lifestyle changes, that can relieve symptoms and prevent further damage. However, there are scenarios when surgery becomes the most suitable option for treating back injuries or conditions. Despite being an invasive treatment, back surgery offers many benefits that make it worthwhile.
Versatility
Perhaps the most distinct advantage of back surgery is that it can target a variety of underlying physical deformities and injuries that cannot be treated through noninvasive treatments. There are a plethora of causes of back pain. The spine has a central cavity where the spinal nerves pass through. Degenerative changes caused by aging and poor posture as well as trauma from accidents, can shift some of the vertebrae, pressing them against the spinal cord. The discs of cartilage that cushion the spinal bones can also bulge or rupture, compressing the nerves inside the spine. In many cases, these events lead to back pain, lack of flexibility, and neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or even paralysis. Back surgery can fix these issues and bring you much needed relief.
Resolution of Mechanical Problems
Surgical techniques allow surgeons to mechanically adjust the different parts of the spine to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord and fix damage. For example, spinal fusion combines two adjacent vertebrae to strengthen and stabilize them. Lumbar decompression removes pieces of bone and cartilage tissue that press down on the spinal cord, resulting in significant improvement. For patients with spinal fractures due to osteoporosis or serious injuries, doctors can perform kyphoplasty to restore the original dimensions of the damaged vertebrae and allow them to heal properly.
Effective Results
Non-surgical solutions, such as weight loss and exercise, improve spine health through indirect means. They reduce the load that the spine needs to carry and strengthen the muscles and connective tissues that support the vertebral column. Treatments like medications and injections can only temporarily relieve symptoms. However, they may be insufficient once mechanical problems in the spine become too severe. In these cases, surgery is usually the single most effective solution.
Surgery offers a satisfactory way to deliver long-term pain relief. Unlike pain medications, surgery addresses the root cause of the pain and physically fixes the problems in the back. This solution eliminates the cause of pain, which delivers a permanent and effective treatment for back pain.
Getting Spinal Care in Colorado
To summarize, back surgery offers many benefits to patients. Aside from pain relief, back surgery restores mobility and prevents further damage to the spine. Surgery accomplishes this by fixing mechanical problems of the spine, which are usually the cause of back pain.
If you or a loved one experiences back pain and other treatments have failed to help, visit the experts at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. Our specialists work with patients to determine the appropriate interventions, assisting them from diagnosis to post-operative treatment. Call us now at (303) 790-1800 or use our online form to make your appointment.
