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Daily, many people complain about back discomfort. It is one of the most prevalent issues that people face. It might be caused by various factors, like your lifestyle or work. But what if you’ve tried everything and your back pain isn’t gone?

In this scenario, you should see a reputable doctor for additional treatment.

In this article, Dr. Gurneet Sawhney, one of the best spine surgeons in Mumbai, talks about spine surgery and its types. 

What is Spine Surgery?

Spine surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat pain-causing spinal diseases. Back and the compression of nerves usually cause spine pain. 

This condition can cause discomfort and/or numbness to other parts of your body like arms, legs, back, etc.

Spine surgery allows your surgeon to move, decompress, fix the vertebral structures, and replace them if needed. You can consider spine surgery when other options haven’t worked, the pain doesn’t go away, and it affects your daily life.

Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney is one of the best spine surgeons in India. He has over 14 years of experience treating spinal cord patients.

Why is it performed?

According to one of the best spine surgeons in Mumbai, Dr. Sawhney, the following are the reasons why a spinal surgery is performed:

Spinal surgery is often used to repair spinal problems. It is also utilized when all other choices have been exhausted and your neck or back discomfort remains chronic and severe.

Before surgery, your problem’s source must be discovered and diagnosed using a CT scan or an MRI.

If you have chronic neurological problems or incontinence, your surgeon will most likely recommend surgery.

Surgery is required for disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, or disc anomalies.

You will need spinal surgery if you have nerve compression or a spinal fracture.

Types of Spine Surgery

These are some of the types of spine surgeries, according to Dr. Sawhney:

1. Laminectomy

Laminectomy is removing the laminae, the thin bony plates on the back of the vertebrae (interlocking bone forming the spinal cord), to expand space in the spinal cord and relieve the pressure.

2. Laminotomy 

Removing a section of the vertebral arch covering the spinal cord. 

3. Spinal Fusion

This procedure creates space between two vertebrae and fuses the neighboring vertebrae to create a stable spine.

Your surgeon may use metal screws or bone grafts to fuse the vertebrae and treat the condition.

4. Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy is the surgical removal of bone or tissue from the pathway of the spinal cord through which nerve roots split off the spinal cord, leaving the spinal column.

5. Discectomy

A discectomy is performed to trim or remove a herniated disc causing pain and nerve compression.

When the soft tissue between the spine’s vertebrae deteriorates, it protrudes outwards, causing nerve compression and pain.

Dr. Sawhney, one of the best spine surgeons in Mumbai, conducts this operation using minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Sawhney performs minimally invasive surgery using an endoscope, microscope, and tube dilators.

6. Artificial Disc Replacement

Your spine surgeon may propose artificial disc replacement as an alternative to spinal fusion. If you have severely damaged spinal discs, this therapy may benefit you.

To restore mobility and height between the vertebrae, your surgeon will implant an artificial disc in the afflicted disc.

Preparation

According to Dr. Sawhney, these are the preparations you should make before undergoing surgery:

• You will be admitted to the hospital one day before the surgery. 
• After admission to the hospital, the surgeon will do anesthesia tests and preoperative and physical exams. 
• You should not drink or eat anything for at least 12 hours before surgery. 

Recovery after Spinal Surgery

Usually, you will be kept under observation after the surgery for a few days. 

After coming home, keeping the surgical wound clean and following your surgeon‘s instructions is essential. 

If you have had a discectomy, it is common to feel pain or weakness. The recovery is faster, and symptoms should improve within 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery.

If you had fusion surgery, recovery can take more time and is more complicated because you will need to get rest and cannot return to your daily activities for 3 to 4 months. The healing of one can take more than a year to complete.

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, spine surgeries also have some complications and risks, says Dr. Sawhney. The following are some of the risks involved with spinal surgery:

• Reaction to anesthesia
• Bleeding 
• Infection
• Nerve damage while performing the surgery
• Blood clots

Conclusion:

If you have tried everything to get rid of your back pain, but it is not working, you should visit a spine surgeon. They can make a correct diagnosis about whether you need surgery or not. 

If you decide to get spine surgery, you should be careful about the recovery and healing properly. 

You can visit Dr. Gurneet Sawhney, one of the best spine surgeons in Mumbai, for further information.