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Symptoms > Arthritis Symptoms By Body Part > The Spine - Neck & Back > Back Surgery
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Surgery for Back Pain

If you have a problem that can be physically corrected, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis, surgery is an option worth considering – particularly when more conservative treatments fail to relieve your pain. To treat other problems, such as a serious infection or tumor, surgery may be a medical necessity.

The following are some of the most common back surgeries:

Discetomy. Discectomy is removal of part of a disc that is herniated and causing pain or other symptoms. There are two types of discectomy:

• Percutaneous, which involves removing a portion of the disc, using a laser or suction device, through a narrow probe placed through a small incision in your back.
• Microsurgical, which requires a small incision, usually less than inch long. During this type of discectomy, the surgeon, using a microscope, removes the damaged portion of the disc along with a small portion of the bone covering the spinal canal.

Laminectomy. Laminectomy is a surgery performed to enlarge the spinal column when spinal stenosis (narrowing) causes pressure on the nerve roots. A laminectomy involves removing the lamina, the backside of the spinal canal that forms a roof over the spinal cord. Along with lamina, doctors often remove any bony protrusions, or spurs, which may have formed as a result of osteoarthritis of the spine.

Spinal Fusion. Spinal fusion is a welding process by which two or more vertebrae are fused together for form a single immobile unit. It is used to stop the motion that normally occurs between the vertebrae and, in doing so, relieve pain that is caused or aggravated by movement, such as bending, lifting or twisting, or to stabilize a spine that has been damaged by infections or tumors. It also may be used to stop the progression of a spinal deformity, such as scoliosis, to treat injuries of the vertebrae, or to stabilize vertebrae that become loose due to a defect in the facet joint.

Learn more about spinal fusion from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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Jerry Trafny
04 Jan 2012, 01:38
I was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis in the c4 and c6 regions of my neck. I have been taking pain meds and muscle relaxers for several years now with great relief, although I still live with chronic pain, I can manage to get through the day with medication. I have refused surgery because I see family members after surgery are still having to take medications for relief, even greater doses than they took prior to surgery. Why are doctors so persistent about surgery?
Wendell Lee Kornegay
10 Sep 2011, 12:06
I was recentlt Dxed with severe A from L-3 to S-1 Anyone know what my options are?
Genevieve
19 Aug 2011, 13:53
I agree with Luklinski Spine Clinic 100%. The edpidural is an off-label procedure, btw., and it worsened my spine after only one shot. Had I researched it beforehand instead of listening to the slick, rich neurologist selling me, I would have declined. Now I have need of a laminectomy of decompress my stenosis. I submit to you that the injection led t o this. But this time, I've done my homework and NO WAY will I subit to a laminectomy. The results, if any, are negligible and reverse as you age, especially if arthritis is present. I talked to surgery patients and not one of them is 'cured'; all still had to revert back to hydrocodone or whatever.
Adrian
26 Feb 2011, 20:31
In 2000 had C1 fusion done in Cleveland University Hospital, it was worth the pain of the surgery and recuperation. Now in 2011 I have stenosis C4-C5, C5-C6 with bone spurs and quite painfull. Currently on Orencia, MT, Plaquinell, Prednisone, Folic Acid, Celebrex and Tramadol and still in pain. If Rheumatologist recomends another surgery I will have it done for the relief of pain. If anyone is aprehensive of surgery I can relate but it is all dependent on skill of surgeon and place of surgery and your support group. If you have these three things you will be dealing with less pain and will be able to go on with more of your dailey activities.
jackie
17 Feb 2011, 19:00
just like to say i would not recommend the epidural for back pain as my husband as suffered more through that, and ended up with surgery because of what the epidural caused, and is still suffering the back pain and the new problem so just ask questions befor going ahead it not allways for the best an could end up them saying it dont happen often it just one of those that happen time to time. their not the ones suffering
jackie
17 Feb 2011, 18:50
dont you try the epdural to help with pain before operating if not why what are the risks of epidural for a slipt disc
Luklinski Spine Clinic
27 Nov 2010, 06:22
SCAM spinal surgeries are 100% ineffective due to FALSE concept/application.It is a world fraud leading to life disability of naive "guinea pigs".Educated criminality
useless procedures are proof that making lucrative living (monies) by deception is imposed and accepted by society as "deceptive "cure by clinical spinal quacks.These idiots would otherwise unemployed,however re-inventing scam procedures and practicing phoney "weapons of mass destructions" is itself art!Money talks ,bullshit walks !

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