Spinal stenosis in the lower back (lumbar region of the spine) is a commonly diagnosed condition, which involves the narrowing or “choking” of the spinal canal or foramina (canals through which nerve roots exit the spinal column). Blockages of nerve passageways can be caused by spinal abnormalities, such as bulging and herniated discs, calcified ligaments, and bone spurs. One or more of these conditions can develop as degenerative changes take place during the natural aging process, and eventually, weakened tissues may come in contact with the base of the spinal cord or a nerve root. While surgery is seldom required to treat most spinal stenosis patients, a fusion procedure may be recommended in a severe case of narrowing, which most often occurs due to end-stage spinal arthritis. Arthritis causes facet joint degeneration and spinal instability, both of which may lead to the slow development of excess bone material in and around the spinal canal and foramina as the body attempts to stabilize the area. The excess bone material, in turn, can encroach on the tiny nerve passageways in the spinal column, a condition called spinal stenosis.

What Does a Spinal Fusion Entail?

The procedure involves the permanent fusion of two or more unstable vertebrae with a bone graft taken from a donor or another part of the patient’s body, usually the hip bone or pelvis. In one form of the surgery, a patient with spinal stenosis in the lower back is placed face-down and anesthetized before a surgeon makes a large incision in the patient’s lower back. The skin, muscles, and other tissues are dissected and pulled aside, exposing the spine. To treat the narrowed spinal canal, the surgeon may first perform a laminectomy or foraminotomy to remove bone overgrowth. The surgeon completes the fusion by securing the bone graft to the unstable spinal segment where bone has been removed, along with rods, screws, and/or cages to limit movement.

Minimally Invasive Options

As an open spine procedure, spinal fusion carries a significant risk of infection, bleeding, and scarring, and requires a hospital stay and a lengthy recovery. Patients with spinal stenosis in the lower back who are considering a fusion procedure should also be aware of the minimally invasive options that may be available to them. Minimally invasive procedures use an endoscope, which is inserted through a small incision (usually less than an inch long) and utilizes a laser and other small surgical instruments to remove, or make more space for, the anatomical abnormality placing pressure on a neural structure. This type of procedure does not require a bone graft or the implantation of stabilizing hardware. It also leaves the soft tissues of the spine basically intact, which can make the recovery process easier and less painful.

Before consenting to any procedure, a patient should research the surgical possibilities and consult with more than one doctor to determine which method will most benefit him or her. Ask each doctor why he or she is recommending one particular type of procedure over another, and find out how many of these procedures each doctor has performed during his or her career.

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 spinal stenosis and several other spinal conditions.

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 spinal stenosis and other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spinal_stenosis

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 spinal stenosis and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: spinal stenosis