Pinched nerve surgery is almost always the last resort for people suffering from symptoms associated with nerve compression caused by a degenerative spine condition such as osteoarthritis or a herniated disc. The reason for that is, most people find adequate relief through conservative, noninvasive treatment. Also, the risks and side effects inherent to any spine surgery are not to be taken lightly. Most people with spinal nerve compression, whether caused by a herniated disc, a bulging disc, a bone spur, or another degenerative condition, will spend at least three months trying to manage the symptoms with conservative methods. However, if chronic symptoms persist after all conservative treatment options have been attempted, it may be time to research the different surgical procedures available for the decompression of a spinal nerve. Spine surgery also is necessary in emergency situations, such as when a pinched nerve in the lower back is causing cauda equina syndrome.

Open Back Surgery or a Minimally Invasive Procedure?

The goal of any pinched nerve surgery is to increase space in the spinal column in the area where the nerve is being compressed, and/or remove the anatomical abnormality that is impinging the nerve root or making contact with the spinal cord. This is called decompression, and there once was a time when the only option available to severe neck and back pain sufferers was highly invasive open spine surgery. This kind of surgery – known as spinal fusion – typically involves the excision of a large portion of the spinal anatomy (an entire intervertebral disc, for example), along with the insertion of stabilizing hardware and bone graft material. The affected vertebral segments are fused together in order to reduce or eliminate the mobility that contributed to spinal deterioration and pain in the first place.

Spinal fusion does work for many people, but it comes with a cost. To begin with, the surgery requires several days of hospitalization, the use of general anesthesia, and a long (often painful) recuperation lasting up to a year. Along with that, a patient is confronted with the risks that accompany any major spine surgery: infection, hardware failure, bone graft rejection, nerve damage, internal bleeding, and more.

In recent years, tens of thousands of patients have turned to the minimally invasive alternative for relief from the pain, tingling, numbness, and/or muscle weakness associated with spinal nerve compression. Technological advances have enabled orthopedic surgeons to use an endoscope and a laser to remove only the smallest amount of spinal anatomy necessary to decompress the nerve. These procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis, involve a small incision of less than an inch long, and carry a much shorter period of recuperation than open spine surgery.

Do Your Research Before Consenting to Pinched Nerve Surgery

Once you’ve decided that surgery is an option, it’s vital to conduct thorough research into the types of procedures available. Ask your doctor to explain all of the potential risks and side effects of spine surgery. Talk to friends and family members who have undergone spine surgery and go online to research potential surgeons. Seek a second – or even a third – opinion. Finally, make absolutely sure that you have given conservative treatment methods every opportunity before deciding to put your health into the hands of a surgeon.

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 the treatment of pinched nerves and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Pinched nerve