A Spinal Surgery Overview

The human spine is literally the backbone of our anatomy. The complexities of the spine direct bodily movements and functions. The spinal column consists of 24 vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal discs, the sacrum and the coccyx. Inside the spinal canal is the spinal cord. Spinal surgery at a Watseka hospital, both invasive and non-invasive, helps to correct backbone damage or defects.

The spinal series of nerves, bones and discs also has natural curvatures. The four regions of the spine are defined by these curvatures. The medical terms for these regions are cervical, thoracic, lumbar and pelvic. Pelvic and thoracic curvatures are called primary curves because they are also present in a human fetus. After birth, the secondary lumbar and cervical curves are developed by the time the child is 18 months old.

Injuries, birth defects and other abnormalities can cause back pain and minimized range of motion. Those suffering with spinal pain and problems have a variety of treatment options. During the initial stages, non-surgical treatment is rendered to try to improve back pain symptoms. Often medication is administered to alleviate pain. If the symptoms are persistent for more than several months, spinal surgery at a Watseka Illinois hospital might be considered.

Spinal surgery can be non-invasive, minimally invasive or more extensive, depending on the extent of the problem. When you are unable to complete basic activities, the physician will present treatment options to help you decide the right course of action.

The purpose of spinal surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion if the patient has not shown significant improvement with more conservative treatments. A specific lesion must be detected as spinal surgery is never done for exploratory purposes. Modern preoperative imaging techniques make it simpler to identify anatomical lesions to develop a successful treatment plan.

Spinal surgery is performed by neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. Basically, spinal surgery is done for three main purposes. It can decompress the spinal cord or a root nerve. Fusion surgery can stabilize a painful or unstable segment of the spine. Finally, spinal surgery can reduce a deformity, such as scoliosis surgery.

In days gone by, spinal surgery was risky and invasive. The patient underwent a serious surgical procedure with weeks of recovery. The latest spinal surgery technology is non-invasive and only rendered after other treatments and therapies are fully explored.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery procedures at a Southern Will county hospital allow patients to return home within 24 hours. The incisions can be as small as 1 to 2 inches. Minimally invasive techniques are used to treat compression fractures, stenosis and herniated discs.

With so many spinal surgery options available at a Watseka hospital, back pain does not have to be a way of life. People suffering from immobility have the chance to regain an active lifestyle by treating at a top Watseka Illinois hospital such as Riverside Medical Center. Many patients are able to resume their normal activities thanks to non-invasive spinal treatments and techniques rendered at a Southern Will County hospital. Riverside is proud to be the recipient of the HealthGrades¬® Specialty Excellence Award™ in spine surgery for being among the top 10 percent in the nation.