All About Spinal Decompression Conroe

By Ines Flores


It all starts with pain, feelings of weakness or numbness in the leg, which gets worse than back pain. The situation does not get better with medication or physical therapy. These symptoms are followed by difficulty in walking or standing which significantly affects quality of life. If diagnostic tests show stenosis in the central canal of the spine, it is time to go for a spinal decompression Conroe, TX.

There are two ways through which spinal decompression may be performed-surgical and non-surgical. The non-surgical procedure is mechanical and therefore non-invasive which applies force to treat neck and lower back pain. The patient lies on a surface with an onboard computer which controls the angle and force of the disc distraction. At the right angle and force, there is a reduction in the resistance to external force or muscle spasm.

Nonsurgical therapy is considered safe because it is not invasive. Each session may last 30 to 45 minutes and 20 to 28 treatment sessions span over five to seven weeks are required. The therapy may be accompanied by electrical stimulation, ultrasound or heat/cold therapy. Stretching the spine gently over time helps to retract bulging or hibernated disks.

Surgical spine decompression refers to a number of surgical procedures performed to alleviate the symptoms caused by compression or pressure on their spine cord. The incision can be made from any point along the spine. Loosened ligaments, bulged or collapsed disks, thickened joints and bony outgrowths are responsible for the pressure which leads to a narrower canal and irritation of nerve endings.

Surgical decompression therapies involve a number of surgical procedures all which serve to relieve pressure from the cord. Disketomy involved removal of portions of the disks to relieve the adjacent nerve roots. Laminotomy, on the other hand, gets rid of the bony arches also called the lamina. Depending on the situation, the entire lamina may be removed to ease pressure in the spinal canal.

Foraminotomy or foraminectomy refers to any general surgical procedure which removes a large amount of bone and tissue. The procedure aims to increase the space for the nerve roots to exit the cord. Osteophyte removal is the surgical procedure for removing bony growths also called osteophytes or bone spurs. Lastly, corpectomy removes the body of the vertebra and disks. In some cases, more than one procedure may be used or the vertebrae fused to cause stabilization of the spine.

There are risks involved with the invasive spinal decompression therapy. Some people experience allergies to anesthesia while others may suffer nerve damage. Bleeding, formation of blood clots and infections are also common. However, at least 80% to 90% patients experience less pressure and pain after the therapeutic treatment. As it does not correct age related degeneration of the vertebrae, it may not be a permanent solution.

It is a generally accepted fact that both the invasive and non-invasive treatment options help in alleviating pressure and pain. It is advisable to get the treatment in a well equipped set up as there is a high level of risk involved. In addition, the doctor should be trained and experienced.




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