When faced with the prospect of lumbar spine surgery, it helps to be aware of all the facts involved. A majority of people experiencing back pain often do not need back surgery. Many of the causes of back pain can be addressed though physical therapy, massage therapy, medication, diet or exercise adjustments, or any combination of the above. However, there are still many circumstances where surgery as a last resort is still necessary. Fortunately, there are many options and volumes of information concerning lumbar spine surgery. Most lumbar surgeries fall under two categories: Lumbar Decompression, and Spinal Fusion.
Lumbar Decompression
- Where: Specifics depend upon the individual injury, but generally speaking the lumbar region begins below the rib cage and ends at the sacrum.
- When: This is needed when nerves in the lower back are impinged, usually due to swelling.
- How it is accomplished: Removing a small chip of the bone surrounding the nerve root, or, inserting spacers around the compressed area. This removes pressure from the root, reducing the discomfort caused by the impinged nerve.
Lumbar decompression can also be divided into two different surgeries, microdisectomies, and laminectomies. With current technology, both of these surgeries are performed with high success rates and minimal pain or irritation after the operation.
Spinal Fusion
- Where: The lumbar region in general, but can be any of the five lumbar vertebrae. On some occasions, all five can be affected.
- When: Spinal fusion is needed when lower back pain is initiated or exacerbated by either a disease, such as degenerative disc disease, or an injury effect such as spondylolisthesis (also referred to as a “slipped disc”).
- How: During the surgery, either specially designed screws or a process similar to welding is used to anchor two or more vertebrae together.
Spinal fusion is generally called for when the pain in the lower back is triggered by movement. The theory behind the surgery is that if movement of the vertebrae is what causes pain and friction between the bones, muscles, and/or nerves, then the pain can be lessened, and in some cases removed, by fusing the vertebrae together.
Lumbar spine surgery is now a highly specialized field. Each surgery is customized to the individual injury, taking into account the location, cause, and most effective surgery with the lowest probability of discomfort after the operation.