Lumbar Spine Surgery
What is the Lumbar Spine? The Lumbar Spine is made up of the lower 5 vertebra. Doctors often refer to these vertebrae as L1 to L5. The lowest vertebra of the lumbar spine, L5, connects to the top of the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine that fits between the two pelvic bones. Each vertebra is formed from a round block of bone called a vertebral body. The lumbar vertebral bodies are taller and bulkier compared to the rest of the spine. This is because the lower back needs to withstand pressure from body weight and from movement such as lifting, carrying, and twisting.
What is Lumbar Spine Surgery? Lumbar Spine Surgery covers a range of lower back procedures ranging from decompression to fusion surgery. These procedures are typically performed to relieve pressure on nerve roots from congenital abnormalities, trauma or degenerative disease that cause related pain or restricted mobility in the lower back, buttocks and legs.
What types of procedures are commonly performed on the Lumbar Spine? How is Lumbar Spine Surgery carried out? Arthroscopic Spinal Surgical methods, also known as Minimally invasive Surgery (abbreviated to M.I.S) is an increasingly common method used by specialist spine surgeons to investigate, diagnose and treat lumbar spinal disorders. The term Arthroscopic or Minimally Invasive Surgery (M.I.S) is also often commonly referred to by the general public as 'Keyhole Surgery". This procedure represents a distinct technological advance in the way a spinal surgeon can choose to operate on a patient, as it provides a quick, easy and clear view of the inside a lumbar vertebral joint or space through a pencil slim, high-resolution camera, known as an Arthroscope, without the need to fully open up the spine with a traditional incision (cut). The main advantage of an M.I.S technique, is that less trauma is caused to the skin, underlying tissue, ligaments and muscles surrounding the problematic area of the lumbar spine as the incisions used in this type of surgery are only small 'Key Holes' rather than a lengthy surgical cut. The speed of a patient's recovery following M.I.S surgery is therefore remarkably shorter and considerably more pain free, than when compared to other traditional surgical methods.
Are there any risks associated with Lumbar Spine Surgery? Although Lumbar Spinal Surgery is regularly performed without any complication, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist complex surgery.
All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your condition in relation to these risks with an expert in Spinal Surgery cannot be over emphasised.
How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Lumbar Spine surgery? Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Spinal surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic and Neuro Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex spinal surgery and because of their specialist spinal surgery expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment. To ensure that patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.
How do I make a consultation appointment? For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert Spinal Surgeon: Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com
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