Spondylolisthesis surgery should only be considered as a last resort if all other methods of conservative, noninvasive treatment have been tried. Only a very small percentage of individuals suffering from this condition – the slippage of one vertebra over another – will need to consider surgery, and even then it is imperative that you take the decision seriously and educate yourself as much as possible about your condition and the surgical options available to you.

Types of Spondylolisthesis Surgery

In general, spondylolisthesis surgery will fall into one of two categories: open spine surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Open spine surgical techniques can vary, but the most common procedures will involve removal of the intervertebral disc that is separating the displaced vertebra from the vertebra beneath it, bone grafts, spinal fusion, and stabilizing hardware. A bone graft is inserted between the two vertebrae and, over time, a solid segment of bone will form that will not shift or cause further neural compression. Partial or complete removal of the lamina (the bony wall that makes up the vertebral arch) may also be necessary to widen the spaces (foramina) on either side of each vertebra through which nerve roots travel as they branch off from the spinal cord.

Minimally invasive surgery will usually remove part of the lamina in an attempt to widen nerve spaces (foramina) and relieve neural compression, but this type of surgery will not fuse the vertebrae together. During a minimally invasive (or endoscopic) procedure, the spine is accessed through a small incision and only the spinal anatomy directly compressing nearby nerves will be removed. An endoscopic procedure, however, will likely not prove effective if a patient’s spondylolisthesis is severe.

How to Talk to Your Doctor about Spondylolisthesis Surgery

Talking with your doctor about the option of surgery can be intimidating. Not only are you dealing with the stress of the condition itself, but now you must make the enormous decision about whether surgery is right for you and, if so, which surgical procedure to choose. The best place to start is to learn about your condition and what caused it. You should also ask the doctor for details about the severity of your condition, and obtain copies of all diagnostic imaging tests like CT scan and MRIs. Research conservative, noninvasive treatment options and be sure that you’ve tried a comprehensive regimen of these techniques before deciding on surgery. And, most importantly, ask your doctor why he or she is recommending surgery and be sure to get a second, third, or even a fourth opinion from various spine specialists before making a final decision.

Determining the Risk of FBSS

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is exactly what it sounds like – a term used to describe symptoms that follow an unsuccessful back surgery. The symptoms themselves can be wide ranging, from a return of the original, pre-surgical symptoms to depression and anxiety. While FBSS is a risk with any spine procedure, it is much more common after highly invasive surgeries that involve bone grafts, hardware, and/or muscle dissection. Minimally invasive procedures will reduce the risk of FBSS, but not eliminate it altogether.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for spondylolisthesis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Spondylolisthesis