Types of Spinal Surgery

People who suffer from spinal pain or some sort of spinal injury often see doctors who specialize in treating this delicate area of the body. Before choosing one of the different types of spinal surgery, doctors often employ other methods to treat the back. In the majority of cases, spinal surgery corrects injuries that cause nerve damage or place pressure on the spine. Technological advances have made these different types of spinal surgery outpatient procedures or procedures that require short hospital stays.

Discectomy

• The Anne Arundel Medical Center's Center for Spine Surgery describes a discectomy as spinal surgery during which surgeons remove herniated discs, which relieves pressure on the nerves of the back. They use a 2-inch incision to remove the discs, resulting in minimal blood loss. This spinal surgery at one time required a two- or three-day hospital stay. Now, a discectomy is an outpatient procedure.

Foramenotomy

• Highland Medical Centers Highland Pain Institute says that a foramenotomy relieves pressure caused by a pinched nerve. This type of spinal surgery consists of removing bone and other tissue that compresses nerves on the spinal column. A foramenotomy can be part of a major medical procedure or a minimally invasive procedure in which doctors make a tiny incision.

Lumbar Laminectomy

• The Center for Spine Surgery states that a lumbar laminectomy relieves pressure on the spinal nerve by removing herniated discs and bone spurs. This type of spinal surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires a 2- or 3-inch incision in the middle of the lower back.

Lumbar Spine Fusion

• Lumbar fusion is a type of spinal surgery used when a person suffers from a spinal condition that causes instability in the vertebrae. The instability puts pressure on nerves in the spinal column. Lumbar fusion is a major surgical procedure in which surgeons use screws and plates to fix bones. Using bone grafts, doctors create a bridge between the bones in the lumbar region of the spine. Bone comes from the person's body or from a bone bank.

Kyphoplasty

• The Center for Spine Surgery states that a kyphoplasty is a type of spinal surgery used on patients with osteoporosis and compressed fractures. Surgeons make a small incision and insert and inflate a balloon in the affected area until it expands back to normal. Surgeons use cement to fill the void. This procedure helps stops deformities, decreases height loss and reduces pain in patients with osteoporosis and compressed fractures. Patients are placed under anesthesia and stay in the hospital overnight.