Patients who suffer from back conditions often dismiss their pain or assume their problem is untreatable, but that is simply not the case. Suffering with back pain is certainly an unpleasant experience, but there is good news for those who are dealing with chronic, debilitating discomfort due to bone, muscle, joint or nerve issues in the back. Spine specialists like the physicians at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute have the ability to determine and diagnose the injury or condition that is causing that pain. Then, they use advanced techniques and treatment methods to repair the problem, relieve the pain and get patients back on track toward a healthy, active life.
For local patients, one such solution to back injuries is the option to have a decompression and spinal fusion surgery in South Jersey. These procedures aim to “weld” together multiple vertebrae of the spine in order to stabilize damaged and unstable areas after the herniated discs and/or pinched nerves are treated. While decompression and fusion surgeries are often done in the cervical section of the spine to correct issues such as bulging or herniated discs or compressed nerves, this type of procedure can also be done in the thoracic and lumbar regions as well.
For purposes of this article, let’s look briefly at the benefit of having a lumbar spinal fusion surgery in South Jersey with Rothman Orthopaedic Institute surgeons.
3 Reasons to Get Decompression and Spinal Fusion Surgery in South Jersey
First, a patient who has experienced trauma or injury to the lumbar region of the spine may be a good candidate for a decompression and fusion surgery. If following impact, the spine becomes unstable to the degree that it may likely incur further injury to the surrounding muscle or tissue, the best option for the patient may be to have this type of procedure. This can provide the added measure of stability needed to prevent further injury to the already damaged spine.
A patient with a lumbar tumor is a second scenario in which spinal decompression and fusion may be the preferred treatment. This can occur when, in the process of removing the tumor during an initial surgery, the spine is left in a vulnerable state. In order to re-stabilize the area where the tumor was removed, fusion may be recommended.
Lastly, decompression and spinal fusion surgery in South Jersey is sometimes also performed for patients with various degenerative conditions. Most commonly, it can be a solution for spondylolisthesis, which occurs when vertebrae move out of the natural alignment of the spine and cause compression on the nerves exiting from the spinal column. Because spinal decompression and fusion procedures are a significant surgical procedure, some physicians prefer to first try other, less invasive treatment options for spondylolisthesis.