About Your Lumbar Spine Surgery

Lumbar spine surgery is a decompression surgery that removes a small section of bone to relieve pressure on the nerve. A lumbar spine surgery that fuses the spine will graft a section of bone to the vertebrae to stop abnormal movement in the spine. The type of lumbar spine surgery that you have will depend on your condition and the type of back injury or disease that is causing your chronic pain.

Who Benefits from Lumbar Spine Surgery

Patients who are suffering from disc problems and chronic back pain can benefit from lumbar spine surgery. Many doctors will recommend that patients explore other treatments before undergoing surgery. Lumbar spine surgery is usually a last resort effort to relieve back pain. However, there are some cases where a lumbar spine surgery is the best approach and will be used to eliminate chronic pain that has a devastating effect on the quality of their life. Doctors must evaluate a patient’s condition to determine if they are physically able to withstand the procedure. With the advances in endoscopic lumbar spine surgery, this should include more patients than ever before.

The Lumbar Spine Surgery Procedure

The lumbar spine surgery procedure that is used depends on the chronic back condition that you are suffering from. Lumbar decompression or spinal fusion procedures can have a dramatic effect on the amount of pain that a patient is suffering from after the procedure. Patients may require a bone graft from another area of the body or the bone can be taken from a bone bank as well. Doctors may use artificial materials in a spinal fusion lumbar spine surgery as well. Patients undergoing an endoscopic procedure may only require IV sedation and local anesthetic during the procedure. An open lumbar spine surgery requires a general anesthetic.

Recovery from Lumbar Spine Surgery

Depending on what type of lumbar spine surgery the patient has undergone, the recovery could last from a few weeks to several months. Different patients also respond differently to the surgery. Patients that are in great physical condition may find it easier to recover from a lumbar spine surgery, but those who have health problems may not recover as easily. Patients will be started on a regimen of physical therapy as soon as possible. It is essential that patients get up and walk quickly after a lumbar spine surgery as well to encourage circulation and healing.

Long Term Outlook after Lumbar Spine Surgery

Lumbar spine surgery promises a relief of pain for patients with spinal conditions. The long term prognosis for patients undergoing this type of surgery is good. With a regimen of physical therapy, patients can expect to be free of pain and enjoy an improved quality of life. Patients who have been living with chronic pain should discuss with their doctor whether a lumbar spine surgery is the right treatment for you. The doctor can evaluate your condition and determine the correct type of lumbar spine surgery that will relieve the pain and give you a better quality of life.