Spinal Stenosis

Surgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosis.

The option of surgical treatment for spinal stenosis is usually suggested as a last option. Surgical treatment is only prescribed if all other forms of treatment have failed or the damage caused by the spinal stenosis cannot be repaired through any other means. In most cases spine surgery will be considered only after a long period of alternative conservative therapy. A period of 3 to 6 months of conservative therapy is usually required before the surgical option is considered.

There are several options of spinal surgery available depending on the cause, type and extent of damage to the spine. The first option is the removal of the vertebral discs. This surgical procedure is known as a discectomy. This procedure is used in the treatment of spinal stenosis caused by a herniated vertebral disc. The procedure involves the removal of the herniated disc to relive the pressure it has caused on the spinal cord and nerve endings.

Foremenotomy, like discectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat spinal stenosis by relieving pressure being applied to nerves in the back. However, cases that require Foremenotomy surgical procedures involve a nerve being pinched by something other than a herniated disc. The surgical procedure involves the removal of bone tissue and other surrounding tissue that may be compressing nerves. This removal is only done for tissue within and around the spinal column.

Laminectomy is the most popular surgical procedure in the treatment of spinal stenosis. It is a procedure that deals with relieving pressure on the spinal cord itself. This surgical procedure involves the removal of bone tissue from the spinal column. The procedure may be combined with a spinal fusion if the tissue removed from the spinal column is a lot.

A spinal fusion is a procedure that is done to prevent motion between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. It is not used to treat spinal stenosison its own. It is used in combination with other surgical procedures that involve extensive removal of bone tissue from the spine.

Spinal disc replacement is a rare procedure used in the treatment of spinal stenosis. The procedure involves the removal of vertebral discs and their replacement. This procedure is used only to avoid the complications related to spinal fusion procedures.

Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Surgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
Article published January 6^th, 2011
Back to Info Center: Spinal Stenosis