Symptoms
Your spine can become injured or worn down like any other bone. Following are the most common spine pain symptoms :
- Pain that persists for more than 15 days
- Stiffness in the lower back
- Muscle spasm
- Loss of motor functions
Causes
Diagnosis
If symptoms are persistent the doctor may order imaging tests.
X-ray produces pictures of the vertebrae and the outline of the joints.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces three-dimensional images of the body and helps in the detection of inflammatory processes such as infection and new compression fractures.
CT scan gives more detailed images of the bone and shows soft tissues and nerves.
Electromyography helps to localize the site of compression
Treatment
Non- Surgical Spine Treatments
There are several non-surgical methods used in spine treatment
Physical Therapy : Physical therapies focus on core strengthening that can help relieve pain. The severity of the injury can be determined by performing a range of motion assessment. The therapy may include gentle massage, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, pelvic traction, electrical muscle stimulation and stretching exercises.
Psychological Treatment : Different relaxation and distraction skill can help patients in better managing chronic low back pain.
Medication : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to alleviate spinal pain. Narcotic medications and muscle relaxants can be prescribed for severe pain.
Surgical Spine Treatments
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgeries (MISS)
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is an alternative for a standard method of spine surgery or open surgery in which the area is opened with long incisions, allowing full view of an area to the surgeon. Minimally invasive spinal surgery as its name suggests does not involve a large incision and avoid muscles damage around the spine.
Lumbar Discectomy is a simple technique used to remove the herniated disc without destabilizing the spine. An incision is made down the middle of the back over the affected vertebrae. X-ray is done for verifying the correct vertebra.
Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure for treating lumbar herniated disc causing radicular leg pain with the help of a surgical microscope and microsurgical techniques. It removes the nerve pinching portion of the hermit. Pain in the lower back generally occurs when the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc tears and the nucleus pulposus squeezes out and exerts pressure on nerve roots.
Laminectomy performed for someone with leg pain and weakness. It removes part of soft tissue or layer of bone that is compressing a nerve or multiple nerves. Small incisions are made in the middle of the back and parts of the lamina and small disk fragments are removed. The incisions are later stitched and covered with a sterile bandage.
Decompression Surgery can be performed with minimally invasive techniques by making small incisions. The technique causes minimal discomfort and has a fast recovery rate
Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine surgery is a minimally invasive spine surgical process that is done by making small incisions in the muscles and soft tissues and preventing loss of excess blood and providing faster recovery. Your Orthopaedic surgeon will make an inch or smaller incision at the area of treatment and will insert a tubular trocar, through which a tiny camera is inserted into the targeted space. The real-time images captured by the camera are projected on a monitor which helps the orthopaedic surgeon to have a direct view of the surgical area. Depending upon the condition of the patient, the treatment can be intralaminar or transforaminal.
Recovery Time
Recovery time does not depend on the type and procedure of treatment but the severity of the condition, pre-surgery fitness level and age. More healing time is required in older people than in the younger population.
Do’s and Don’ts of Spine Surgery
- Don’t get too comfortable on the bed or couch as spending too much time lying makes the body weak and stiff.
- Pre-surgery fitness maximises the chances of easier and faster recovery.
- Keep moving as the fluid inside the joints works better when heated up making you feel better.
At Adam Vital Hospital, we have the best team of Orthopaedic and Spine surgeons who will help you understand the injury, conditions and choices of treatment. We are among the best orthopaedic and spine care hospitals in Dubai providing treatment for all kind of spine injuries and conditions and helping you return to an active lifestyle.
