If this is the case, you’d be letting your back problems get worse each day while increasing your risk of lasting conditions. One such condition is lumbar spinal stenosis, which narrows the space within your spinal canal, inhibiting the adjacent nerves from working as they should.  

It’s crucial to take care of this issue as soon as you notice it, so we’re here to provide you with all the information you need to know about this condition’s symptoms and available treatments. Your priority must be your safety, so make sure to learn as much as you can about lumbar spinal stenosis and how to resolve it. 

Causes of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis 

Possible causes of lumbar spinal stenosis include thickened ligaments, spinal injuries, bone overgrowth, herniated discs, spinal tumors, and genetic spinal abnormalities. 

As we mentioned before, when you talk about lumbar spinal stenosis, you’re talking about the compression or narrowing of the space within your spinal canal. Since many factors can cause this condition, your physician will likely aim to understand its root cause and recommend a corresponding treatment plan. 

To understand the problem and how to treat it, you need to understand what triggers it, so here is a list of the most common causes of lumbar spinal stenosis:

Spinal Injuries

It’s typically straightforward to identify lumbar spinal stenosis if it originates from spinal injuries, since these problems don’t stem from indirect issues or congenital conditions. Direct accidents, such as car crashes, falls, or any heavy hit to the spine, can dislocate your bones, fracture them, or cause extreme inflammation. This can damage your spinal canal and potentially place a lot of pressure on your spinal nerves. 

Thickened Ligaments

Your ligaments are an essential part of your body since they hold your bones together, including, of course, your spinal cord. However, issues like arthritis and normal age-related tissue changes can cause your ligaments to thicken and, consequently, bulge into the space within your spinal canal. This issue not only contributes to lumbar spinal stenosis, but also mobility concerns if it’s not treated promptly. 

Bone Overgrowth 

If you have a case of bone spurs and bone overgrowth within the spinal canal, you’re prone to lumbar spinal stenosis. This issue relates to osteoarthritis, also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, which breaks down the protective covering of your joints (called cartilage), making your bones rub against each other. This friction can lead to bone spurs that may narrow the spinal canal.

Herniated Disc

Whether due to age-related spinal degeneration, ongoing wear and tear, or a sudden trauma to the spine, the discs between each vertebra of the spine can become herniated. Also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, this occurs when a tear develops in the tougher disc shell, causing the softer interior to press outward into the spinal canal. The damaged disc may take up excess space in the spinal canal, contributing to spinal stenosis. 

While it doesn’t always lead to spinal stenosis, herniated disc is a common condition, impacting approximately one to five percent of the population every year. Older adults, overweight individuals, smokers, and people in jobs that involve repetitive bending, twisting, or lifting are at a heightened risk. 

Tumors 

Tumors, whether cancerous or benign, can form within the space in your spinal cord. The abnormal growth can limit the space for your nerves and spinal cord, causing spinal stenosis. You should make a doctor’s appointment as soon as you feel any unusual sensation or pain in the back, since certain tests are required to detect spinal tumors and determine the best course of treatment. 

Genetic Abnormalities

Though it’s less common than degenerative spinal stenosis, congenital spinal stenosis is a possibility. This means that some people are naturally born with an abnormality that causes a narrow spinal canal. Since it’s present at birth, symptoms can appear in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.

20.1% of congenital spinal stenosis cases occur in the lumbar spine, compared to 16.6% in the cervical spine and 11.5% in the thoracic spine, according to a study published in World Neurosurgery.  

What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? 

The best way to prevent major, potentially detrimental health issues is to detect their symptoms on time and treat them properly. However, it’s not always so simple to recognize which illness or condition the symptoms correspond to, since many diseases share the same symptoms. Oftentimes, your symptoms may point to more than one issue. 

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a progressive condition that benefits from early intervention. To help you evaluate your symptoms and seek further care, here’s a list of the primary lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms:

• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Numbness in your legs
• Pain in your legs after standing for long periods
• Foot weakness
• Bladder or bowel incontinence
• Pain in your buttocks and legs (also known as sciatica)
• Leg cramping
• Burning sensation in your lower back

There are two more types of spinal stenosis: Cervical and thoracic spinal stenosis. Both of them have different symptoms depending on the location of the spinal narrowing. Since all three diseases are directly related, here are the symptoms of thoracic and cervical spinal stenosis:

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

• Tingling, weakness, numbing, or pain in your stomach 
• Balance problems

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs, arms, or hands
• Neck pain
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction
• Balance problems

Diagnosis: How Is It Detected?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is usually diagnosed and detected through a combination of a physical examination, medical history, discussion of symptoms, and imaging tests. You’ll need to visit a physician (ideally a spine specialist, known as an orthopedic surgeon) for a formal, accurate diagnosis. 

• During a physical exam to diagnose spinal stenosis, your doctor may check your range of motion, movements that trigger your symptoms, reflexes, muscle strength, sensation, balance, and gait (the way you walk). This can help your doctor gauge the presence and extent of spinal nerve irritation. 
• A medical history can help your doctor hone in on the root cause of your symptoms, such as age-related degeneration or an underlying medical condition. 
• Discussing your symptoms helps your doctor determine whether they align with typical spinal stenosis symptoms and, if so, understand the condition’s severity. To provide an accurate symptom overview, it’s a good idea to record:
  • When your symptoms begin
  • How often your symptoms occur
  • What your symptoms feel like (burning, stinging, radiating, etc.)
  • If your symptoms occur or get worse after specific activities
• Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans allow your doctor to see your spine and directly identify spinal canal narrowing. Imaging tests that show soft tissue (like MRIs) may also reveal nerve damage, helping your doctor determine the best next steps in your spinal stenosis treatment process. 

What Is the Best Treatment for Spinal Stenosis?

When suffering from this condition, you might ask yourself: What’s the best treatment for spinal stenosis? Or what’s the latest treatment to solve it? While your safety is paramount, and personalized guidance from an orthopedic specialist is essential to your recovery process, this overview of spinal stenosis treatment options can give you an idea of what to expect along your path to back pain relief. 

The most effective solution for advanced or severe spinal stenosis is spinal surgery since it can physically open up the spinal canal and resolve issues contributing to the condition, like bone spurs and herniated discs. But most cases don’t require surgery and can be resolved with non-surgical treatment options.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Non-surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis include medications, physical therapy, heat/cold therapy, steroid injections, and lifestyle modifications.

• Medications can help calm your symptoms while other treatments, like physical therapy, help resolve nerve compression for spinal stenosis. Over-the-counter medications (like ibuprofen and acetaminophen) are a good place to start, but in more advanced cases, you may need prescription-strength painkillers to make a meaningful difference. Additionally, certain types of medications that can help with spinal stenosis symptoms, like muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants, are only available with a prescription from your doctor.
  • Keep in mind: While medications can temporarily diminish your symptoms, they’re not generally intended to be taken long-term for spinal stenosis. 
• Physical therapy can help you stay active with spinal stenosis and correct physical imbalances contributing to the condition. This is crucial for recovery, as spinal stenosis patients tend to be less active, losing strength and mobility along the way. Physical therapists are trained specialists who can help improve your flexibility, endurance, and balance while encouraging spinal healing. Many PTs also offer complementary treatments, like acupuncture, dry needling, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, to further reduce your pain.  
• Heat/cold therapy: This is one of the most common methods for people who want to try self-help remedies for spinal stenosis. Applying heat to the areas where you feel the most pain relaxes your muscles while improving blood flow to the damaged tissue. Cold therapy, on the other hand, helps relieve inflammation, tenderness, and swelling. Your doctor or physical therapist can suggest a heat and ice schedule to best suit your needs. 
• Steroid injections: While not recommended for frequent use, as they can lead to tissue atrophy and other complications, steroid injections help reduce inflammation and pain around the spinal nerves. The treatment consists of injecting corticosteroids in the area containing the nerve roots to bring down swelling and discomfort. But this effect is temporary and can’t eliminate spinal stenosis by itself. 
• Lifestyle changes should be included in all spinal stenosis recovery plans, as they encourage overall wellness and naturally promote healing. Examples include:
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing alcohol consumption
  • Eating an anti-inflammatory diet 
  • Following a low-impact exercise routine
  • Improving posture
  • Limiting prolonged periods of sitting
  • Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight

When Surgery Is Recommended

While conservative methods are often sufficient for symptom relief, surgery is often recommended for spinal stenosis when:

• Your symptoms aren’t responding to non-surgical treatments. Your doctor will likely advise you to stick with conservative methods for six months to a year, as they can take time to work. But if your symptoms haven’t significantly improved after this time frame, or if they’ve gotten worse, it may be time to consider surgery. 
• You’re dealing with severe neurological symptoms, like lasting numbness in the extremities or difficulty walking and balancing. These symptoms indicate serious nerve compression that may require surgery to avoid lasting damage.
  • Certain neurological symptoms (like loss of bowel or bladder control and severe weakness or numbness in the lower extremities) can point to a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome, which is considered a medical emergency. It requires prompt treatment (usually surgical spinal decompression) to prevent permanent nerve damage. 

Patients often ask for surgery when they can’t stand the pain anymore, and the disease is becoming a setback to their daily activities. This method is delicate and must be done very carefully, but it’s an effective option to free yourself from spinal stenosis. 

Understanding Decompression Surgery

Most surgical procedures used to treat spinal stenosis fall under the category of decompression surgery. This refers to any procedure that alleviates pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. This may involve extracting bone spurs, damaged spinal disc tissue, enlarged ligaments, or part of the lamina (the bony ridge covering the back of the spinal canal). 

The umbrella of decompression surgery includes traditional (open) surgeries, as well as minimally invasive procedures. In the modern age, minimally invasive decompression is heavily favored because it allows for smaller incisions, less tissue damage, shorter recovery times, and a lower risk of complications. Minimally invasive spinal decompression has also been found to help reduce reliance on opioid medications.

Types of spinal decompression procedures include:

• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression, also known as MILD, is used to treat stenosis resulting from thickened spinal ligaments. It’s an outpatient procedure that doesn’t require general anesthesia or a hospital stay, with a generally low risk of complications. Through a small incision in the back, the surgeon removes small portions of the thickened ligaments to release pressure on the nearby nerves. 
• Cervical laminoplasty: This procedure is for patients suffering from cervical spinal stenosis, and it aims to remove the pressure on the portion of the spinal cord located in the neck. To accomplish this, surgeons make an incision in the back of your neck and open up space in the spinal canal by creating a hinge on the lamina.
• Laminotomy: Laminotomy is performed in other parts of your spinal cord, differing from cervical laminoplasty. This surgery is simple in theory, involving a small incision through which the surgeon removes just enough of the lamina to relieve pressure from the spinal cord.
• Laminectomy is similar to laminotomy in that it involves the lamina, but it typically requires a larger incision, and the surgeon removes a larger portion of the lamina (if not the entire lamina). It’s typically implemented in more severe cases.
• Discectomy involves removing some or all of a damaged spinal disc that’s pressing on nearby nerves. It may be implemented in cases of spinal stenosis caused by a herniated disc. 
• Foraminotomy is a type of spinal decompression that involves widening the foramen – the bony openings through which nerves leave the spinal canal. Your surgeon may suggest this procedure in cases of foraminal stenosis, a type of spinal stenosis that occurs when the foramen narrow due to bone spurs, disc damage, thickened ligaments, or spinal injuries. 

The TOPS System: A Motion-Preserving Alternative

Decompression surgery is conventionally paired with spinal fusion to prevent instability. While it’s a time-tested approach, fusion comes with numerous downsides, including permanent mobility restrictions, a lengthy recovery period, and the risks of failed fusion and adjacent segment degeneration. The TOPS System is a motion-preserving alternative for lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. 

TOPS is a spinal implant device that replaces the tissues removed during spinal decompression surgery. Designed for use at the L3 to L5 spinal levels, it establishes a controlled range of motion in the spine, allowing it to move in all directions without the risk of instability. As a result, patients can return to an active lifestyle after surgery without the pain of spinal stenosis dragging them down. 

By facilitating spinal motion within a controlled range, TOPS also prevents excessive impact on the adjacent spinal levels – a significant concern with spinal fusion. This mitigates the risk of adjacent segment disease, helping to keep the rest of the spine healthy in the months, years, and decades after surgery. 

The TOPS System is FDA-approved for degenerative spondylolisthesis with moderate to severe lumbar spinal stenosis. It also earned a superior to fusion claim from the FDA, cementing it as a minimally invasive, motion-preserving alternative to conventional fusion procedures. 

TOPS vs. Spinal Fusion: Key Differences

Key differences between TOPS and spinal fusion include motion preservation, potential risks, and recovery times.

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Motion preservation is the primary difference between the TOPS System and spinal fusion. Spinal fusion uses bone graft material to stimulate new bone growth between two or more vertebrae. Within about a year, this causes the vertebrae to permanently fuse together. 

While this method effectively prevents instability, it also wipes out all mobility in the fused segment. The result? Mobility limitations (especially for multi-level fusions), excessive impact on the adjacent segments (which can lead to adjacent segment disease), and the risk of failed fusion. 

The TOPS System allows the treated segment to move in all directions: flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, or twisting. This allows patients to bounce back faster with fewer activity restrictions. It also prevents excessive stress on the adjacent segments. 

While the TOPS System doesn’t come without risks, it mitigates many of the risks involved in spinal fusion, including failed fusion and adjacent segment disease. Research also shows that it has a significantly lower reoperation rate than fusion: One study found that TOPS has a reoperation rate of 5.9% after two years, compared to 8.8% with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. 

Recovery and Outcomes with TOPS

Since the TOPS System is implanted in a minimally invasive procedure and secures spinal mobility, it involves a significantly shorter recovery period than spinal fusion. Many patients are able to stand up and walk around the day after the procedure (or even the same day, in some cases). While the spinal fusion recovery process can span an entire year, many TOPS System patients make a full recovery within three to six months. 

After the TOPS procedure, patients can typically:

• Return to light housework as soon as they feel able, often within a few weeks
• Return to sedentary work within a few weeks, or more physically demanding work in six weeks to three months
• Return to all regular activities within three to six months

Research shows high success rates and positive outcomes with the TOPS System. The TOPS U.S. Clinical Study showed that 77% of TOPS patients exhibited overall clinical success, compared to just 24% of their fusion counterparts. In a study evaluating long-term TOPS System outcomes published in World Neurosurgery, there were no failures at the five-year mark, and no patients required revision surgery. 

Conclusion

Your spinal cord is an essential part of your body that requires special care since, if damaged, it can cause concerning conditions. If you feel or notice any of the symptoms you read about in this article, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to ensure the problem doesn’t progress, and that you can treat it on time. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should you walk with spinal stenosis?

Yes, you should walk with spinal stenosis because it’s a gentle, low-impact way to stay active. Staying active is crucial to preserving muscle strength and mobility while you heal. However, if walking triggers your spinal stenosis symptoms, you should talk to your doctor and PT about how to exercise without experiencing pain. 

Does pain from spinal stenosis ever go away?

While spinal stenosis generally doesn’t go away on its own, spinal stenosis pain can go away with proper treatment. It’s best to see a doctor as soon as you start experiencing spinal stenosis symptoms to begin treatment, as this can help speed up your recovery and prevent severe pain. If conservative methods aren’t sufficient to resolve your pain, you may need surgery to correct the issue.  

What position is best for spinal stenosis?

The best position for spinal stenosis is typically forward bending (also called forward bending) because it opens up the spinal canal, providing a temporary respite from your pain. You can achieve this position with various stretches, including a child’s pose or knee-to-chest stretch.

The best sleeping position for spinal stenosis is on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your knees. These positions keep your spine aligned and prevent stress on the lower back while you sleep. 

What not to do with lumbar spinal stenosis?

With lumbar spinal stenosis, it’s best to avoid:

• Repetitive bending, twisting, and leaning
• High-impact exercises, including heavy weightlifting, running, and contact sports
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing
• Extreme stretching involving deep spinal twists or arches

What is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis?

The newest treatments for spinal stenosis include non-fusion spinal implants, like the TOPS System, and regenerative therapy, like stem cell therapy. These methods help resolve back pain and neurological symptoms from spinal stenosis without open back surgery or motion-limiting methods.  

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Post-Surgery Care Basics

Some general rules apply to all patients following back surgery. First and foremost, plan on taking an active role in your recovery, and that starts by getting into shape before your back surgery. With your surgeon, physical therapist, and others, discuss what activities you can engage in, as well as restrictions you need to observe. If you don’t have someone who can provide the assistance you will need in the first days after your return home following back surgery, you can talk to your doctor about in-home care.

Creating a Recovery-Friendly Home Environment

Adjusting and preparing your home to facilitate healing will set you up for success. Follow these tips to create a recovery-friendly environment:

• If your bedroom is currently on the upper floor of your home, set up a temporary bedroom on the ground level. This will spare you from having to climb stairs in the early stages of recovery. You may also need to adjust your bed’s height so you can get in and out of it easily. 
• Plan and complete your laundry ahead of time. Laundry will be much more difficult to do after the procedure when you’re in the early stages of healing. 
• Place essential items (clothing, food, water, books, TV remotes, etc.) at hip height, ensuring you won’t have to bend or strain to reach them. 
• Eliminate all tripping hazards, including cords, wires, rugs, loose floorboards, and clutter, as a fall could be detrimental to your recovery. 
• Meal prep by storing nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals in the freezer. Alternatively, plan for a loved one to take over cooking while you recover. It’s also wise to stock your pantry with healthy, easy-to-access snacks.  

Daily Activity Modifications After Spinal Surgery

You won’t be completely bedridden after spinal surgery; In fact, it’s best to avoid long stretches of bed rest to prevent lost mobility and muscle atrophy. But you’ll need to adhere to significant activity restrictions to avoid overexerting the spine as it heals. 

Walking is the best physical activity during the first six weeks post-surgery. It helps keep your blood flowing without straining your spine. Start slowly and work up to 30 minutes at least twice a day. While some soreness is normal, stop if you experience significant discomfort while walking and talk to your doctor. 

Avoid twisting and bending during this time, and avoid lifting, pushing, or pulling anything that weighs more than ten pounds. These activities place significant impact on the spine and could sabotage healing. 

Pain Management Techniques at Home

Some pain is normal after spinal surgery as your body works hard to repair damaged tissue. While you should follow your surgeon’s specific guidelines for at-home pain management techniques, they often include pain medications, cold/heat therapy, and relaxation exercises.  

Pain Medication Considerations

You will be prescribed pain medications after spinal surgery, which may include painkillers to help manage discomfort or muscle relaxants to help prevent spasms. As you adjust to life post-surgery, take all medications as advised and let your body rest. You may require frequent naps, as your body recovers from the stress of surgery, and narcotic pain medications induce drowsiness.

But pain medications can also have negative side effects, and continued use may prolong recovery time and lead to dependency. Narcotic pain medications cause constipation. Weaning yourself off pain medication should be a recuperation goal. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids during this recovery period. You should be off pain medication three months after surgery. 

Cold and Heat Therapy

Cold and heat therapy are time-tested remedies to help with pain and inflammation. Cold therapy is often recommended in the early healing stages, as it brings down inflammation and provides a temporary numbing effect. Research even suggests that cold therapy may help reduce opioid use for pain management after spine fusion. 

To safely reap the benefits of cold therapy after spinal surgery, make sure to wrap the ice pack to prevent direct contact with your skin. Ensure the wrap is dry, as you’ll need to keep your incision dry after the procedure, and limit sessions to 20 minutes. Talk to your surgeon for more cold therapy safety tips. 

Heat therapy can be used in the later stages of your recovery, once the incision has healed. It boosts blood flow to the area and calms muscle tension, both of which can help with post-operative pain. Protect your skin from direct contact with the heating pad and don’t heat the area for longer than 15 to 20 minutes. 

Relaxation Exercises

Relaxation exercises like mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, and guided imagery can help with pain sensitivity after spinal fusion. As a natural, drug-free way to manage pain, many people find relaxation exercises to be a helpful tool in their postoperative healing journey. 

Essential Recovery Items and Equipment

Various items and equipment can help you move around the house and complete basic tasks more comfortably after surgery. Examples include:

• Grabber tool
• Walker or cane
• Shower chair
• Toilet riser
• Back scratcher
• Long-handled shoehorn
• Long-handled sponge
• Mini-fridge

Nutrition and Hydration for Optimal Healing

Your nutrition can help or hinder your body’s ability to heal after spinal surgery. Along with staying hydrated throughout the day with water, electrolyte drinks, and herbal tea, fill your diet with nutrient-dense foods like:

• Whole grains
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Beans and other legumes
• Nuts and seeds
• Low-fat dairy products
• Lean protein sources, including chicken, turkey, and fish

Sleep Positioning and Comfort Tips

Falling asleep comfortably can feel like an uphill battle after spinal surgery, but it’s crucial to tissue regeneration and healing. The first step is to find a good sleeping position: Generally, the best sleeping position after spinal surgery is on your back with your knees bent and a pillow under your knees for support. This provides the best support for your spine and prevents extra stress on the lumbar spine. 

If you struggle to fall asleep on your back, try sleeping on your side with a pillow in between your knees. In this position, be careful to avoid twisting your spine, as it could lead to pain. 

Wearing soft, loose-fitting clothing, using a white noise machine, and winding down before bed can all help you drift off in comfort after spinal surgery. 

Simplify Post-Surgery Care With Advanced Spinal Procedures

Another step you can take to ease post-surgery care is to select the procedure with the best outcomes and fewest post-surgical complications for the treatment of your condition. For example, the TOPS (Total Posterior Solution) System has been shown in clinical studies around the world to provide better clinical outcomes than spinal fusion back surgery following spinal decompression therapy.

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TOPS is an approved implant that offers a means of stabilizing the spine after spinal decompression treatment. Unlike spine fusion surgery, the TOPS implant preserves the independent movement of the vertebrae. Making sure you choose the procedure with the best clinical outcomes can help ensure you’ll have the best possible recovery.

But pain medications can also have negative side effects, and if continued, their use will prolong recovery time and lead to dependency. Narcotic pain medications cause constipation. Weaning yourself off pain medication should be a recuperation goal. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids during this recovery period. You should be off pain medication three months after surgery. Walking is the best physical activity during the first six weeks post-surgery. Start slowly and work up to 30 minutes at least twice a day. Avoid twisting and bending during this time, and avoid lifting, pushing, or pulling anything that weighs more than ten pounds.

Another step you can take to ease post-surgery care is to select the procedure with the best outcomes and fewest post-surgical complications for the treatment of your condition. For example, the TOPS (Total Posterior Solution) System has been shown in clinical studies around the world to provide better clinical outcomes than spinal fusion back surgery following spinal decompression therapy. TOPS is an approved implant that offers a means of stabilizing the spine after spinal decompression treatment. Unlike spine fusion surgery, the TOPS implant preserves independent movement of the vertebrae. Making sure you choose the procedure with the best clinical outcomes can help ensure you’ll have the best possible recovery.

The post How do I Care for Myself at Home After My Spinal Surgery? appeared first on Premia Spine.

Back pain is one of the most complex and confounding conditions in medicine. There are several types of back pain, typically classified by their cause. These forms of back pain may originate in the back muscles, ligaments, and spinal structures, or even as a result of problems in other parts of the body.

Below, we’ll discuss some of the most prominent types of back pain, along with the causes of each.  

Strains and Sprains

Back Strains

Muscle strains are one of the most common lower back pain causes. A strain is a type of injury that affects muscle or tendon tissue. Tendons attach muscle to bone. 

With a strain, the affected muscle or tendon has either been pulled, torn, or twisted. This injury is usually caused by overuse, such as engaging in strenuous physical activity that your body isn’t accustomed to. For example, you may sustain a back strain if you lift more weight than your body can safely handle. 

Symptoms of muscle strains include muscle weakness, inflammation, cramping, and spasms. You may also experience a reduced range of motion in the back. 

A back strain can result in severe lower back pain. However, the pain will remain localized and won’t radiate down to the legs. This is in contrast to back pain caused by certain spinal conditions, which can cause pain that spreads to the extremities.

Back Sprains

Sprains and strains are commonly mixed up as back pain types. However, while strains involve muscle or tendon tissue, sprains involve injury to a ligament. Ligaments attach bones within a joint and provide stability to that joint. 

With a back sprain, the ligaments in the spine are forced out of their usual position. This is typically caused by a fall, sudden trauma, or forceful twist. 

Symptoms of ligament sprains are similar to muscle strains but take longer to heal. While a mild strain typically heals within three to six weeks, a sprain may take between six to eight weeks (or even several months) to heal. If you don’t allow a back sprain to heal properly, it can give rise to chronic back pain.

Risk Factors For Back Strains and Sprains

Although anyone, at any age, can sustain a back strain or sprain, you may be at a higher risk of developing one of these injuries if you:

• Are engaging in activities that excessively curve the lower back
• Regularly engage in sports involving pulling or pushing, like football or weightlifting
• Have weak abdominal or back muscles
• Have tight hamstrings
• Are overweight or obese

Preventing Back Strains and Sprains

Back strains and sprains can hamper your day-to-day activities and cause significant pain. To reduce your risk of developing these common back injuries, follow these tips:

• Reach and maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. 
• Add exercises for lower back pain to your usual exercise regimen. These exercises focus on strengthening the abdominal muscles so that your spine is effectively supported and stabilized. 
• Add stretches for lower back pain to your daily routine to prevent muscle tension and lost mobility. 
• If you lift weights as part of your exercise regimen, always use proper lifting techniques. Never lift more weight than you can safely handle. 
• Practice proper posture to keep your spine aligned. 
• Quit smoking, which can increase your risk of the degenerative disc disease and chronic back pain. 
• Consider how to sleep for lower back pain. Sleeping on your back is ideal to prevent strain on the spine while sleeping on your stomach can exacerbate back pain. However, placing a pillow under your stomach and pelvis can help align your spine if you’re a stubborn stomach-sleeper.
  • In a similar vein, talk to your doctor about the best mattress for back pain, as they might have suggestions. Generally, memory foam mattresses are considered the best for aligning and supporting the spine. 

Back Pain On The Right vs. Left Sides 

Patients who are only experiencing pain on one side of the back often wonder about the cause of their pain. Both lower left back pain and lower right back pain can be caused by injuries to the muscles or ligaments that uphold the spine. One-sided back pain may also be triggered by spinal injuries and conditions.

However, one-sided back pain can also indicate an issue with the kidney, intestines, or reproductive organs. If this is the case, you’ll likely experience additional symptoms, such as nausea, pain while urinating, and/or fever. 

Stress-Related Back Pain

Stress-related back pain isn’t an official diagnosis. But, there’s no denying that stress can play a significant role in the development of back pain. 

Your body’s natural reaction to concerning, unpleasant, or scary situations is stress. When you feel stressed out, your body releases various chemicals and triggers physical reactions to protect you. These chemicals include cortisol and adrenaline, which tends to cause an involuntary tensing of your muscles. 

This is a primal response that’s largely unhelpful against the stressors that people experience today, such as a deadline at work or a complicated social situation. 

Frequent stress can lead to significant tension in the back. This may lead to chronic lower back pain when left unaddressed. 

A 2021 study published in Scientific Reports confirmed that the severity of stress is directly correlated to chronic lower back pain. Specifically, severe stress was associated with a 2.8-fold increase in the risk of chronic lower back pain. 

Spinal Conditions

Spinal conditions are common types of lower back pain. Many of the most common spinal conditions trigger back pain by exerting pressure on the spinal nerves. This typically leads to what’s known as a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve can cause localized pain, much like a muscle strain, but may also involve other parts of the body. 

Pinched nerves in the lower, or lumbar region of the spine, can cause burning lower back and leg pain. Surprisingly, a pinched nerve in this region can also have far-reaching effects on the bladder, appendix, large intestine, sex organs, knees, and prostate. 

What Are The Most Common Spinal Conditions That Cause Back Pain?

While several different spinal conditions can trigger back pain, the most common include:

• Herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when the soft interior of an intervertebral disc protrudes through a damaged portion of the disc interior. The injured disc may push on spinal nerves, causing back pain and other symptoms. 

• Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis develops if the space in the spinal canal becomes more limited. This may result from thickening spinal ligaments, a bulging or herniated disc, and osteoarthritis, among other factors. 

• Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of gradual, age-related spinal disc deterioration. As people grow older, the spinal discs become drier, thinner, and weaker, making them more prone to damage.  

• Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when spinal instability causes a vertebra to slip out of its normal position onto the vertebra beneath it. This can cause back pain and neurological symptoms. Although there are many possible causes of spondylolisthesis, the most common are degenerative spinal changes and spinal defects. 

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is also known as wear and tear arthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints starts to deteriorate. If osteoarthritis impacts the facet joints in the spine, it can lead to back pain. 

• Scoliosis

When someone has scoliosis, it means that their spine is abnormally curved. This curve may cause back pain in a few different ways. It may cause spinal stenosis, disc degeneration, and facet joint damage. The curved spine can also press on nerves, leading to neurological symptoms. 

What Causes Lower Back Pain From Spinal Conditions?

Several factors can lead to the development of spinal conditions that cause lower back pain. The most prevalent of these factors include age-related spinal degeneration, spinal injuries and disorders, and congenital spinal defects. To understand exactly what’s causing your lower back pain, you’ll need a diagnosis from a qualified physician. 

How Are Spinal Conditions Treated?

Numerous approaches exist for lower back pain relief in patients with spinal disorders. Almost always, physicians will start with a non-surgical treatment plan for six to 12 months before considering surgery. Most patients don’t need surgery to recover from the symptoms of various spinal conditions. 

Acute vs. Chronic Back Pain Classification

Acute back pain is classified as short-term, resolving within three to six months, while chronic back pain lasts longer than six months. 

Aside from these durations, acute and chronic back pain have several key differences:

• Acute back pain usually has a direct cause (like a fall or sports injury), while chronic back pain can be more mysterious and may require extensive testing to get to the root of the issue. Chronic back pain is also often caused by underlying medical conditions, like arthritis, scoliosis, or degenerative disc disease. 
• Acute back pain tends to respond directly to treatment—since it has a distinct cause, your doctor can address the root of the issue. Treatment doesn’t always produce measurable results for chronic back pain, and it can take time (and a combination of therapies) to improve your symptoms. Chronic back pain often only responds to a multi-faceted treatment plan and far-ranging lifestyle changes.    
• Acute back pain usually heals with conservative treatment, like rest, physical therapy, and over-the-counter painkillers, only requiring surgery in very severe cases. While chronic pain can still often be managed with non-invasive treatments, it’s more likely to require surgery. 

Pain Characteristics: Dull, Sharp, Shooting

Dull, sharp, and shooting are among the most common back pain characteristics. Here’s what these adjectives mean:

• Dull back pain is achy, nagging, and persistent. It’s the opposite of sharp pain, and it’s lower in intensity. It can stem from mild injuries, like strains and sprains, as well as chronic conditions like arthritis and degenerative disc disease.
• Sharp back pain is more severe – it can feel like a jolt of pain and may even be described as electric, in some cases. Muscle strains and sprains can cause sharp pain (especially in severe cases), as can sciatica, muscle spasms, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. 
• Shooting back pain is pain that shoots through the back, or from the back to the lower extremities. It often indicates nerve compression because when a nerve is irritated, you may feel pain along the entire length of the nerve. For example, when the sciatic nerve is inflamed, you may feel pain from the lower back through the buttocks and to the legs (along the path of the sciatic nerve). 

Anatomical Classifications: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar

The anatomical classifications of back pain are cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. These are the anatomical names for the different regions of the spine. 

• The cervical spine (vertebrae C1 to C7 ) is the neck, the uppermost spinal region. It facilitates head movements. 
• The thoracic spine (vertebrae T1 to T12) is the mid-back. It connects to the ribcage. 
• The lumbar spine (vertebrae L1 to L5) is the lower back. It bears the most body weight of any spinal region and, therefore, lower back pain is more common than either neck or thoracic pain. 

Pain Patterns: Mechanical, Inflammatory, Referred

Mechanical, inflammatory, and referred are different pain patterns that can help your doctor decipher the underlying cause of your back pain. 

• • Mechanical back pain originates directly from spinal structures, including the spinal joints, discs, and surrounding soft tissue. Examples include muscle strains, overuse injuries, acute injuries, and pain from poor posture. Mechanical pain tends to worsen with movement, improve with rest, and occur in a specific area of the back. 
• Inflammatory back pain, as the name suggests, results from the body’s inflammatory processes. Unlike mechanical back pain, it often occurs even with rest – in fact, it often worsens in the morning and after extended periods of rest. Arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are the most common examples of inflammatory back pain. 
• Referred pain occurs when you feel pain in one area of the body, but it’s caused by an issue in a different area. Kidney stones and infections are a common example, as they can trigger lower back and flank pain despite being located in the kidneys. 

Non-Surgical Treatments For Spinal Conditions 

Simple rest, lifestyle modifications, medications, and physical therapy are among the beneficial non-invasive approaches to alleviate different types of lower back pain.

Surgical Treatments For Spinal Conditions

When patients continue to experience debilitating back pain after months of non-surgical treatment, surgery may be required. Additionally, spinal specialists may recommend surgery if the patient is experiencing significant disability as a result of their condition. 

Thankfully, even serious spinal conditions can today be effectively treated with advanced microsurgical procedures. Innovative approaches to spinal decompression surgery use endoscopic techniques for smaller incisions, less blood loss, and less tissue damage. 

Advanced, minimally-invasive spinal procedures offer relief from conditions that have condemned previous generations to crippling pain and restricted mobility. 

Spinal Fusion

After spinal decompression, spinal fusion is often performed to stabilize the affected portion of the spine. The fusion process involves positioning bone graft material in between the affected vertebrae. The graft will, in the months following the procedure, permanently join the adjacent vertebrae.  

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Though decompression spinal surgery can dramatically alleviate pain and other symptoms of compressed or pinched nerves, spinal fusion eliminates the independent motion of the fused vertebrae. This limits patients’ activities and increases the risk of degeneration in the surrounding vertebrae. 

Today, the limitations of spinal fusion have been surmounted. The TOPS System from Premia Spine provides a clinically proven superior alternative to spinal fusion. This non-fusion spinal implant replaces the tissues removed during decompression surgery while preserving the full, independent motion of each vertebra.

If you’re experiencing back pain, don’t hesitate to see a qualified physician. You can achieve relief with the variety of treatment options available today. 

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Lower back pain is among the most common medical problems affecting the human population. One reason this problem is so common is that back pain can have many different causes. So, if you’re wondering if there’s a cure for your lower back pain, the answer depends on what is causing it.

Muscle and ligament strains can cause intense back pain. Many times these strains can be cured with simple rest. Where rest alone won’t relieve the back pain, non-invasive treatments such as medications, steroidal injections, and physical therapy will often ameliorate the symptoms, if not provide an outright cure.

In this article, we’ll discuss key talking points surrounding a cure for lower back pain, including common treatment options, prevention, and when to seek professional care. 

What Is the Main Cause of Lower Back Pain?

The main cause of lower back pain is spinal degeneration, whether from osteoarthritis, degenerative spinal conditions, or age-related wear and tear. 

With age, the spine undergoes a variety of changes. The intervertebral discs become thinner and drier, spinal ligaments thicken, bone tissue weakens, cartilage breaks down, and spinal joints stiffen. Osteoarthritis (also known as wear and tear arthritis) can also develop, potentially causing bone spurs, stiffness, and spine. 

In addition to osteoarthritis, a variety of degenerative spinal conditions can cause lower back pain, including:

• Degenerative disc disease affects around 27% of all adults over age 65. This chronic condition occurs when the spinal discs break down, becoming thinner and drier. These discs are crucial for cushioning and shock absorption in the spine, so as they degenerate, you may experience back pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. 
• Degenerative spinal stenosis develops when the spinal canal gradually narrows, typically due to thickened spinal ligaments, damaged spinal discs, or bone spurs. With less space around the spinal cord and nerves, spinal stenosis can lead to nerve impingement, back pain, and neurological issues. 
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs when age-related spinal changes cause a vertebra to slip out of position, falling onto the vertebra beneath it. The misaligned vertebra can press on adjacent nerves, causing back pain and neurological symptoms. 

How to Avoid Lower Back Pain

You can avoid lower back pain by improving your posture, maintaining a healthy weight, remaining active, warming up your back before exercising, avoiding overlifting, and managing stress. 

• Improve your posture

Prioritizing good posture is one of the most important steps you can take toward lower back pain prevention. Proper posture keeps your spine in its natural alignment, preventing undue impact on the spinal discs and other structures. Especially if you sit at a desk for most of the work day, make sure to align your head over your shoulders and your shoulders over your hips while keeping the natural curve in your lumbar spine. 

• Maintain a healthy weight

Staying at a healthy weight provides countless health benefits, from preventing diabetes to improved heart health. It can also help you avoid lower back pain by alleviating excessive weight on your spine. By shedding extra pounds, you can reduce the impact on your spine when you sit, stand, and move throughout the day. 

• Remain active and warm up before exercise

Exercising regularly helps prevent lower back pain by strengthening your muscles, which improves support for the spine. It also boosts mobility and blood flow to the spine, encouraging your body’s tissue repair process. Just make sure to gently warm up your back before exercising to prevent strains and other injuries. 

• Avoid overlifting

Lifting more weight than you can handle or weightlifting with poor posture can lead to lower back pain. If you do add weightlifting to your workout routine, learn the correct posture for each exercise and start with small weights. If you have to lift heavy objects in a move, for example, use a dolly and enlist help when needed.  

• Manage stress

Did you know that stress can contribute to lower back pain by increasing inflammation and muscle tension. When you’re feeling stressed-out, you may also forget to maintain good posture, potentially leading to back pain and stiffness. 

How Do I Make My Lower Back Pain Go Away?

You can make your lower back pain go away by resting, applying a heating pad or cold pack, seeing a physical therapist, taking pain medication, or adjusting your lifestyle. 

These conservative treatments help make back pain go away by:

• Reducing inflammation
• Strengthening muscles that alleviate pressure from the spine
• Curbing pain signals sent from the lower back to the brain
• Addressing lifestyle factors that can worsen lower back pain, like smoking, nutrient deficiencies, and sitting for prolonged periods

At-home remedies are often sufficient to make mild to moderate lower back pain go away within a few weeks. However, if your lower back pain is severe or from a chronic condition, you’ll need professional medical care to achieve relief. 

How to Ease Lower Back Pain Fast?

You can ease lower back pain fast by using heat or cold therapy, stretching, taking pain medication, or getting a steroid injection.

Keep in mind that getting rid of lower back pain fast isn’t always the best way to alleviate it in the long-term. For example, while steroid injections can offer rapid pain relief, they don’t address the source of the pain. If these injections are overused, they can lead to tissue atrophy in the treatment area. 

If you’re struggling with lower back pain that doesn’t improve with a few weeks of rest and at-home remedies, the best option is to get checked out by a physician. Receiving a diagnosis and starting a professional treatment plan will address the root cause of your back pain, leading to a faster recovery. 

What Treatment Is Best for Lower Back Pain?

The best treatment for lower back pain depends on the source of your pain. 

For back sprains, strains, and other mild injuries, the best treatment is generally rest, cold therapy, heat therapy, and physical therapy. Medications may be needed in the short term for pain management. 

For degenerative spinal conditions and spinal nerve compression, the best conservative treatment is often a combination of physical therapy, pain medications, and lifestyle adjustments, like improving your diet and exercising regularly. If these remedies fail after several months, spinal decompression surgery may be considered. 

For spinal conditions such as spinal stenosis and related disorders of the spine – common causes of lower back pain, with onset typically after the age of 35 – non-invasive treatments may provide relief. In some cases decompression spinal surgery may be performed to relieve pressure on affected spinal nerves. During this surgery, a surgeon trims away portions of a vertebra that impinge on a nerve. (This impingement is commonly referred to as a pinched nerve). 

Spinal decompression surgery can have a dramatic and immediate impact on reducing back pain, providing patients with some level of a “cure.” Traditionally spinal fusion back surgery has been performed in conjunction with spinal decompression, to stabilize the vertebrae where the operation was performed. However, spinal fusion eliminates the natural flexion between the fused vertebrae and can contribute to the deterioration of adjacent vertebrae. Today, spinal decompression patients have a superior alternative to spinal fusion. The TOPS System from Premia Spine preserves the natural motion of the spine and has been proven to provide superior results to spinal fusion in clinical trials conducted worldwide.

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Can Lower Back Pain Ever Be Cured?

Lower back pain can be cured, in most cases, with prompt treatment. 

Early intervention is often the key to curing lower back pain. The sooner you receive treatment, the sooner you can start on the path to healing. If you wait to seek treatment, your condition may worsen and can even lead to lasting tissue damage, in some cases. 

If you experience lower back pain, the priority is to identify its cause. Whatever the root of the problem, you will likely have a number of options for effective treatment that will relieve the pain, and in many cases cure the condition.

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Medical terminology doesn’t go out of its way to be complicated or hard to understand. It’s simply that the language has to be very precise, and that much of it comes from Latin. Hence, it can be difficult to decipher some med-speak without a little help. Take the term “lumbar laminectomy,” a fairly common surgical procedure that can help alleviate the pain, mobility limitations, and other symptoms that often accompany medical conditions of the lower spine. Indeed, the word “lumbar” refers to the lower spine. The lumber portion of the spine comprises the lowest five vertebrae of the spinal column, which bear the designation L1 through L5 – “L” standing for lumbar.

Every vertebra in the spinal column is covered in a bony sheath called the lamina, which helps protect

the nerves that run through the spinal column. But sometimes, due to injury, disease, degenerative changes, or other causes, the lamina can put pressure on nerves emanating from the spinal column, a condition referred to as a pinched nerve. Problems within the vertebrae, such as an unnatural narrowing of the spinal canal, a condition called spinal stenosis, can also result in pinched nerves.

When surgery is performed to relieve pressure on a pinched spinal nerve, a procedure called spinal decompression, it requires cutting away the portion of the lamina that is impinging on a nerve or to gain access to the interior of the vertebrae to address a condition such as spinal stenosis. In medicine, the suffix “ectomy” refers to excision or removal. Thus, cutting away a portion of the lamina is a procedure called a laminectomy. So a lumbar laminectomy is an operation in which a portion of the lamina on one of the first five vertebrae is trimmed away. A lumbar laminectomy can achieve dramatic results in alleviating the symptoms of pinched nerves. Traditionally, spinal fusion back surgery was performed in concert with a laminectomy to stabilize the spine at the point of the operation. Now lumbar laminectomy patients have an alternative that provides better outcomes than spinal fusion surgery while preserving the full range of the spine’s motion: The TOPS (Total Posterior Spine) System procedure. If you’re a candidate for a lumbar laminectomy or other spinal decompression procedure, make sure you understand all your treatment options.

What is a Laminectomy 

Lumbar Laminectomy is a spinal surgery involving the removal of the vertebral bone to alleviate symptoms of spinal stenosis. Laminectomy surgery is relatively common for major surgery. Its main function is to reduce spinal pressure on the cord and nerve roots when they are being unnaturally restricted. This surgery is for those suffering from various ailments, including those sustained from past injuries, herniated disks, spinal stenosis, and tumors. While there are alternative methods to try before getting to this point, such as physical therapy, medication, and even injections, some may find this is the only path to relief.

While determining what is a laminectomy, we should deconstruct the name. Lamina is the scientific name for the vertebral bone. This surgery, Lumbar Laminectomy, is the process of removing the vertebral bone to lift pressure surrounding the spinal canal. Pressure is created by things like impacted bone injury, bone overgrowth, or growing tumors. A decompressive laminectomy increases available space and therefore alleviates any pain sufferers may be experiencing. While the surgery itself is great, so are the results. 

What is a Laminectomy? 

Lumbar laminectomy is a spinal surgery involving the removal of vertebral bone, called the lamina, to alleviate symptoms of spinal stenosis.

The lamina is a piece of bone that covers the back of the spinal canal. It protects the spinal cord and supports the canal as a whole. In removing some of all of it during a laminectomy, your surgeon can decompress impinged spinal nerves, offering relief from conditions like spinal stenosis.

Laminectomy surgery is a relatively common spinal decompression procedure. Its main function is to reduce spinal pressure on the cord and nerve roots when they’re impinged, compressed, or inflamed. This procedure is implemented for those suffering from various ailments, including those sustained from past injuries, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal tumors.

It’s worth noting that several non-invasive, alternative methods exist and are typically recommended before laminectomy. These include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, medication, and even steroid injections. However, after trying these remedies for several months to no avail, some may find that surgical laminectomy is the only path to relief.

When answering the question “what is a laminectomy?”, we should deconstruct the name. Lamina is the scientific name for the vertebral bone that covers the back of the spinal canal. This surgery, lumbar laminectomy, is the process of removing this vertebral bone to alleviate pressure within the spinal canal.

Pressure may be created by various factors, including an impacted bone injury, bone overgrowth, age-related spinal degeneration, or growing tumors. A decompressive laminectomy increases available space within the canal, therefore alleviating pain and neurological symptoms that you may be experiencing. While the surgery itself is well-documented and considered safe, the results are equally as compelling. 

According to a 2022 study, patients who underwent laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis experienced less disability and pain after the procedure. These patients were also able to be more physically active after laminectomy. The rate of reoperation in this study was 14%. 

Laminectomy and other spinal decompression procedures are conventionally performed with spinal fusion to restabilize the spine. However, modern innovations like the TOPS System can improve outcomes from spinal decompression by stabilizing the spine without permanently fusing the vertebrae. These remarkable advancements are available to today’s laminectomy patients, boosting treatment safety, satisfaction, and results. 

What is Spinal Stenosis

If you are considering spinal laminectomy you may likely be suffering from spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is one of the most common spinal ailments. Since stenosis means narrowing or restricting, this condition refers to the unnatural narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition often develops for unknown reasons but can be caused by an overgrowth of either bone or tissue. Some cases may be hereditary, while others arise from an unhealthy lifestyle. 

Options Before Surgery

Everyone can benefit from a healthy lifestyle, including those suffering from spinal stenosis or other spine stemming pain. Simple solutions like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy BMI can all reduce pain and symptoms. While these are idealistic options, they also are not the solution for everyone. It is possible that someone’s back pain is so great they are limited in the forms of exercise they can partake in.

Physical therapy is another noninvasive option that patients can try before getting a lumbar laminectomy surgery. Because most patients suffer from pain in their back and legs, it can be helpful to have a physical therapist to assist in teaching the body how to move through these debilitating pains in a way that can offer some relief. Physical therapy assigned exercises to have the ability to release pressure similar to surgery, though the effects are often not as long-lasting. 

Medication is also available to those suffering from inescapable pain. Some medications offered can help with both pain and inflammation so that those suffering from spinal stenosis are able to manage their symptoms throughout their day.

While these solutions can help manage and relieve pain, ultimately, they do not offer more stability to a destabilized spine, nor do they permanently create space in the spine where the pressure afflicts. In cases of long-term relief, most find that surgery is necessary to moving forward into a pain-free life.

Laminectomy Surgery

In deciding if surgery is right for you, it helps to know exactly what is to be expected during the procedure. A doctor uses general anesthesia to put the patient under for the duration of the surgery. In the process of the surgery, the surgeon makes a small cut into the back, right over the affected area. They then enter through this cut with small tools to lift the muscle away from the spinal column. The lamina is then removed to create space in the narrowed spinal canal.  In the case of a herniated disk, the doctor can then remove the parts of the disk that have herniated. 

Traditionally after this, the vertebrae would be fused to create stability in the spine to supplement the removed lamina. This is done with either bone graphs, screws, or metal rods. While efficient in rendering the spine functional post-operation, it does create limited mobility that can impede some physical activities.

How to Prepare for Laminectomy Surgery

Laminectomy Surgery is major surgery. Many are intimidated by spinal surgery because it is such a crucial part of our body and people often have a fear of how their life changes after. Here is how to prepare for optimal recovery.

• Consider your new mobility while you recover. With a limited range of motion, you should consider buying a pair of slip-on shoes to avoid bending down and straining.
• Ensure frequently used items are in easy-to-access spots. This may look like lowering things from high shelves as well as heightening objects that previously required bending over to reach them. Remember, this is temporary.  Once healed you should be able to reach all these things again without any pain or discomfort. 
• Do some meal prepping. The less work you have to do while recovering the quicker you heal. This also means you can rely less on others and be more self-sufficient in a time when you may feel dependent on others.
• Finally, on the day of the surgery, make sure you fast before going in. Like most surgeries that require general anesthesia, you are advised to stop eating and drinking by midnight the night before. Some water is allowed the morning of the surgery, but a full stomach can pose complications once you are under.

Laminectomy Recovery

Once you wake from the surgery your care team checks to ensure everything has gone smoothly and your body has responded well to the spinal laminectomy surgery. While a short hospital stay is typical, some people are released the same day. This means that no matter the case, the comforts of home are not too far away.

Upon returning home, rest! Though it is healing in the long run, your body has just sustained a major injury and needs time and care to recover. Give yourself grace and let people help with things like meals and keeping the house running. Letting yourself rest at this time is crucial for long-term recovery.

It is recommended that you do not work for the first few weeks following a decompressive laminectomy. Those with less physically demanding jobs return to work sooner than those with more labor-intensive jobs. If you have a spinal fusion laminectomy recovery takes longer.

How to Make Spinal Surgery Less Traumatic

The results of lumbar laminectomy, while impressive, may take a while to work. There are records of patients taking up to a full year to complete their laminectomy recovery. Those who do go through with the surgery are also sometimes recommended physical therapy as a part of their recovery process.  This leads to a long and involved path back to normalcy.

If you are looking for a way to make your laminectomy surgery and recovery less traumatic, consider a spinal implant. TOPS system uses an implant after decompression is completed to prevent the necessity for spinal fusion. Where traditionally vertebrae are fused after laminectomy surgery, TOPS implants hold the space where the vertebrae were removed, combining the relief of the surgery with all the mobility and freedom you had before. 

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Patients who have had a TOPS System implant report faster and easier laminectomy recoveries than those who received traditional spinal fusions. Because the spine is the foundation of the human body it is important you take the path offering the greatest recovery and mobility post-surgery. Does this look like a spine that has been fused together, or upgraded with an implant?

Life After Laminectomy

While it is a big decision to make, ultimately it comes down to regaining your life. Those who have spinal laminectomy are choosing a life free of debilitating pain and getting back the body they once knew. Lumbar laminectomy patients are often happier and healthier, having chosen the care right for them.

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Everyone has heard of sciatica, but few people know what it actually is – or isn’t. Sciatica is not a spinal condition or disease, but rather a set of symptoms associated with a variety of spinal conditions. It’s characterized by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Unfortunately, sciatic episodes are painful and can diminish your quality of life.

Below, we’ll explore the topic of sciatica, what causes it, and how it’s treated. With the range of advanced sciatica remedies available today, you can attain relief from this form of nerve pain. 

Where Is Sciatica Pain Located?

Sciatica pain moves along the sciatic nerve. As the longest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve extends from the base of the spine through the hips and buttocks and down the legs to the tips of the feet. Considering the length of this nerve, sciatica pain can impact a large portion of the body. 

What Are The Symptoms of Sciatica?

If you’re struggling with undiagnosed nerve pain, you may wonder: What does sciatica feel like? 

Symptoms of compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve can include:

• Radiating pain
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• A tingling sensation along the length of the nerve
• Lower back pain
• Worsened pain with motion
• Lost range of motion

In severe cases, sciatica can contribute to the development of cauda equina syndrome. This syndrome involves compression of the cauda equina nerves, which may lead to lost bowel and bladder function. This complication is rare and doesn’t affect most patients with sciatica. 

What Does Sciatica Feel Like?

Sciatica feels like a dull ache, subtle tingling, or burning sensation that moves from the lower back down the back of the legs. 

Some patients with sciatica also report weakness and numbness in the leg and foot, or trouble moving the leg, foot, and/or toes. With severe sciatica, it can even be difficult to walk or stand up from a seated position. 

With that said, the sensation of sciatica can differ from patient to patient. The feeling of this condition varies depending on the extent of the lumbar nerve compression, as well as the patient’s overall health.

For example, for some patients, sciatica causes a dull, constant ache. But, for others, the condition triggers sharp, burning pain that only strikes when they move into a certain position. Some patients even say that sciatica feels like an electric shock. 

If you’re not sure if what you’re feeling is sciatica or not, visit a licensed physician for a diagnosis. 

What Is The Main Cause of Sciatica?

Several different spinal conditions can cause sciatica, including:

• Herniated disc

When one of the intervertebral discs in the spine becomes damaged, the soft disc interior may protrude from the damaged exterior. This is known as a herniated or ruptured disc. 

A herniated disc in the lower back (lumbar spine) can press against the spinal nerves or leak fluid into the spinal canal. This may result in pressure on the sciatic nerve.

• Traumatic injuries

Traumatic injuries can compress or irritate the sciatic nerve roots, or the sciatic nerve itself. Car accidents and falls are the most common traumatic injuries that can trigger sciatica. 

• Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the vertebrae in the spine slips out of position and rests on the vertebra beneath it, most commonly as a result of spinal degeneration in older patients. This condition can cause sciatica if it impinges on any part of the sciatic nerve.

• Spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis – the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back – can compress or irritate the sciatic nerve. This condition can occur as a result of spinal degeneration, osteoarthritis, and bone spurs. 

Does Sciatica Show Up On X-Rays?

When a patient experiences sciatica symptoms that don’t resolve after a few weeks of conservative therapies, the physician will likely conduct imaging tests to verify that the nerve pain is resulting from sciatica.

Key causes of sciatica including a slipped disc and bone spurs will appear on many types of imaging tests, including a CT scan, MRI scan, and x-ray. Since an x-ray is much faster and more affordable than either a CT or MRI scan, it’s likely to be ordered first. 

What Are The Types of Sciatica?

Sciatica can be categorized by the length of time that the symptoms persist, or by the legs (one or both) that are impacted. 

When sciatica is categorized by the duration of the pain, it’s said to be either acute or chronic. 

• Acute sciatica lasts for four to eight weeks in total. This type of sciatica comes about rapidly, but can be effectively managed with at-home methods like rest, heat and ice therapy, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. 
• Sciatica is considered to be chronic when it causes pain that persists longer than eight weeks. Generally, chronic sciatica doesn’t abate with at-home treatment methods. Non-surgical methods can successfully treat chronic sciatica, but some patients will need surgery for the condition to fully resolve. 

When sciatica is categorized by the legs that are affected, it’s said to be either alternating or bilateral. 

• Alternating sciatica causes alternating pain in both legs. This form of sciatica typically results from degenerative problems in the sacroiliac joint, which is the joint that links the hips to the spine. 
• Bilateral sciatica affects both legs simultaneously. This rare type of sciatica may result from disc or vertebrae degeneration at multiple levels of the spine. Bilateral sciatica can also be triggered by cauda equina syndrome, which we’ve already mentioned in this article, and other severe conditions.  

What Happens If Sciatica Is Left Untreated?

Left untreated, sciatica pain may worsen, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage. This could lead to chronic pain in other areas of the body. With this in mind, it’s essential for patients to receive prompt treatment for sciatica pain, even if it appears to be a mild case. 

How Do You Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain?

For sciatica treatment, physicians usually begin with several months of conservative treatment before considering surgery. 

Conservative, non-surgical treatments for sciatica typically include physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and low-impact exercises. Alternative methods such as massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and acupressure may also be employed.

How To Help Sciatica Pain

In addition to the non-invasive treatments listed above, there are several ways that you can adjust your lifestyle to enhance your sciatica recovery, including:

• Quitting smoking. Smoking and all nicotine products are detrimental to the body’s natural healing process. 
• Stick to a low-impact exercise regimen. Exercise will strengthen your muscles and support the health of your joints, which can relieve stress on the sciatic nerve. 
• Maintaining a healthy weight. Losing even a few extra pounds can greatly reduce the strain on your spine, which can in turn reduce sciatica pain. 
• Wear supportive footwear, or consider placing orthopedic inserts in your shoes. 
• If your occupation requires many hours of sitting in a chair, ensure that your chair provides excellent back support. 

In severe cases of sciatica involving unrelenting and/or debilitating symptoms, non-invasive treatments and lifestyle adjustments may fail to provide relief. In these cases, surgery for sciatica, such as a discectomy or foraminotomy, may be required. 

Spinal decompression surgery relieves the pressure on the sciatic nerve and is often paired with spine fusion surgery to stabilize the spine. During fusion, bone graft material is placed in between the affected vertebrae, causing them to slowly fuse into a single bone.

Unfortunately, spinal fusion eliminates the independent mobility of the fused vertebrae. This limits patients’ mobility after the procedure while requiring an extensive recovery process. 

How Long Does It Take For Sciatica To Go Away?

Cases of acute sciatica typically resolve within four to six weeks with rest and at-home remedies. However, chronic sciatica can take much longer to fully resolve, depending on its cause. 

If chronic sciatica doesn’t require surgery, it may go away within four to twelve weeks of rest and rehabilitation. For sciatica cases that do require surgery, the recovery process after the operation may last for four to six weeks. But, if spinal fusion is performed, the patient may not fully heal for six months to a year. 

What Is The Fastest Way To Cure Sciatica?

Given that spinal fusion greatly prolongs the sciatica recovery process, many patients seek out other options. Thankfully, there’s a spinal fusion alternative that’s proven to improve clinical outcomes, shorten the recovery process, and preserve the patient’s natural range of motion in the individual vertebrae: the TOPS Posterior Arthroplasty procedure.

TOPS is one of the exciting advances bringing new hope to patients with moderate to severe spinal conditions who aren’t responding to conservative treatments. Premia Spine, the creator of the TOPS System, is at the forefront of advanced surgical treatments for spinal disorders.

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We encourage anyone with lower back pain and sciatica symptoms to investigate all their treatment options before undergoing spinal fusion. With the range of cutting-edge therapies available today, you can achieve sciatica relief without the limitations and drawbacks associated with fusion.

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Although it’s not as common as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc, spondylolysis is near the top of the list of conditions that can cause lower back pain. This spinal condition is relatively common, affecting approximately one out of 20 people. You may also hear it referred to as a stress fracture or pars defect.  

Learning about spondylolysis can help you better understand the factors that could be behind your back pain. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed overview of spondylolysis, including modern treatment options for this condition.  

What is Spondylolysis?

Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in a vertebra, which is a bone in the spinal column. The fracture occurs at the point where the vertebra connects to the vertebra above it, known as the pars interarticularis.

The pars interarticularis is a thin piece of bone that links the upper and lower segments of the facet joints. It connects the vertebrae and facilitates the movement of the spine. 

The fracture in the pars interarticularis can allow a vertebra to move out of its usual position and press against, or compress, the spinal cord. This condition is called spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis can cause several symptoms, with lower back pain being the most common.

Spondylolysis isn’t rare, affecting an estimated 3% to 7% of Americans. Many of the patients who are diagnosed with spondylolysis are younger than traditional spinal patients. In fact, in one orthopedic series, spondylolysis accounted for 47% of cases of acute lower back pain in teen athletes.

What Causes Spondylolysis?

Spondylolysis is rooted in a weakness in the pars interarticularis. The exact cause of a weakness in the pars interarticularis isn’t known. 

With that said, factors that can influence the weakness in the vertebrae that characterizes spondylolysis include:

• A genetic defect

Genetics are believed to play a role in some cases of spondylolysis. Some children are born with this spinal condition. 

• Overuse

Repetitive spinal trauma may also lead to spinal trauma. This commonly occurs in young athletes who frequently stress the spine. In two prospective studies, the incidence of lower back pain in athletes with spondylolysis was 72.5 % in high school rugby players, 80.5% in college football players, and 79.8% in high school football players.  

Symptoms of Spondylolysis

The good news is that many people with spondylolysis remain asymptomatic. Asymptomatic patients have no symptoms and are usually unaware they even have spondylolysis.

When the spondylolysis does cause lower back pain, it usually spreads across the lower back. Spondylolysis pain often feels like a muscle strain and is generally exacerbated by exercise or vigorous activities.

In adolescent patients, spondylolysis symptoms often appear during growth spurts. This makes the most common age of diagnosis for teenage patients with spondylolysis 15 to 16. 

Comparing Spondylolysis to Related Conditions

Spondylosis vs Spondylolysis

Spondylosis and spondylolysis are often confused, and it’s easy to see why. The names of these spinal conditions are very similar. But, each is a distinct ailment with different causes and symptoms. 

The spondylosis diagnosis is used for degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine. With this condition, the cartilage that protects the ends of the vertebrae breaks down. As a result, the space between the vertebrae shrinks. 

Spondylosis may also involve age-related degeneration of the spinal discs and bone spurs. This condition differs from spondylolysis, which specifically involves a stress fracture in the pars interarticularis. 

Spondylolisthesis vs Spondylolysis

We’ve already mentioned spondylolisthesis and how it can result from spinal instability caused by spondylolysis. Similar to spondylosis, spondylolisthesis is commonly confused with spondylolysis. Additionally, spondylolysis can often cause spondylolisthesis, which further adds to the confusion. 

Ultimately, spondylolisthesis involves vertebral misalignment due to spinal instability, while spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis. 

How is Spondylolysis Treated?

Most cases of lumbar spondylolysis are resolved with non-surgical treatment methods. Non-surgical spondylolysis treatment often involves lifestyle modifications, medications, and physical therapy. 

Spondylolysis is a common injury in young athletes, namely those who are involved in sports that involve spinal hyperextension. So, physicians generally recommend that spondylolysis patients take a break from sports to give the spine time to heal.  

Simple over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can often relieve mild spondylolysis symptoms.

Spondylolysis Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is one of the most effective non-invasive treatment options for spondylolysis. Your physical therapist can help you regain a high quality of life and safely go back to your usual activities. 

The goals of physical therapy for spondylolysis are to:

• Help you manage lower back pain with methods including heat/ice therapy, electrical stimulation, and physical manipulation. 
• Help you adopt lifestyle changes that will benefit your recovery process. These changes may include losing excess weight, starting a new exercise routine, and improving your posture. 
• Improve and correct your body mechanics to prevent pain with day-to-day activities. 
• Teach you stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises can bolster the muscles that support the spine and alleviate muscle tension. 

Spondylolysis Exercises to Avoid

In general, patients with spondylolysis should try to avoid all high-impact activities, such as running, as well as activities that put added stress on the lower spine. Heavy lifting, football, diving, and competitive swimming can all strain the lower spine.

With spondylolysis exercises to avoid in mind, it’s important to stay active with spondylolysis. Physical activity improves blood flow to the damaged and irritated spinal tissues, which facilitates the healing process. Additionally, gentle exercise will help you maintain muscle strength and mobility throughout your recovery. 

Is It Possible To Prevent Spondylolysis?

Many patients, especially young athletes, are eager to avoid spending time on the bench due to spondylolysis. While genetic factors that may make you more susceptible to spondylolysis can’t be altered, certain tactics may help you prevent this spinal condition.

First off, consider a sports injury prevention program, which may be available from your local physical therapist. This type of program focuses on safely building muscle strength and increasing flexibility. Together, strength and flexibility can help prevent excess strain on the spine.

Additionally, avoiding repetitive motions that strain the back can help prevent lumbar spondylolysis. Unfortunately, this may not be possible in specific sports, such as gymnastics and weightlifting. Athletes who are predisposed to spondylolysis should consider talking to their coaches about their unique needs.

As a general rule of thumb, practicing proper posture can help avert spondylolysis and a host of other spinal conditions. Try to be mindful of your posture while you sit, stand, and lift heavy objects. Keeping your spine straight with your shoulders back and head levels allows for proper spinal alignment. 

Treatment For Severe Spondylolysis

In moderate to severe spondylolysis cases that don’t respond to conservative treatments, spondylolysis surgery may be required. There are a few different surgical approaches that your physician may recommend.

Surgical Repair

Surgery may be implemented to repair the spinal stress fracture. During this type of procedure, the surgeon will likely use a titanium screw to secure either side of the fracture together. For additional support, your surgeon may also place bone graft material in the affected area. 

Spinal Decompression

Patients with spondylolysis and nerve compression from spondylolisthesis may benefit from spinal decompression surgery. Spinal decompression involves removing a portion of the defective vertebra that’s compressing the spinal nerve.

Typically, spinal fusion surgery is performed following the decompression procedure to stabilize the spine. Spinal fusion involves placing bone graft material in between the affected vertebrae. This process, over several months, permanently fuses the targeted vertebrae. 

Unfortunately, while spinal fusion can successfully prevent spinal instability after decompression surgery, it also eradicates the independent motion of the vertebrae. This leaves patients’ mobility seriously compromised and increases the risk of degeneration in the neighboring vertebrae. 

With these downsides (among others) in mind, many modern spondylolysis patients look for spinal fusion alternatives. Recently, an advanced alternative to spinal fusion, the TOPS posterior arthroplasty procedure, has gained prevalent in the United States. Having been approved and successfully used for years in Europe and other countries, the TOPS System provides better clinical outcomes than fusion while preserving the patient’s full range of back motion.

Back pain is one of the world’s most common and debilitating medical conditions. As pioneers of advanced surgical treatments for spinal disorders, we at Premia Spine encourage anyone suffering from back pain, including spondylolysis pain, to learn about all the treatment options available today.

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The human body contains an extensive system of nerves that facilitate communication between the cells. Nerves send and receive messages throughout the body. Without them, we wouldn’t have basic human functions, like movement, balance, and sleep, or sensations, like touch. 

Unfortunately, just like the rest of the human body, nerves are susceptible to damage. Radiculopathy is one type of nerve damage that can severely impact one’s mobility and quality of life. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss a specific form of this nerve condition: lumbar radiculopathy. 

What is Lumbar Radiculopathy?

The vertebrae are the bones of the spine. An intervertebral disc is located in between each vertebra and acts as a cushion by absorbing impact.

If the vertebrae or the discs between them impinge on a nerve root in the spinal column, chronic nerve injuries may result. Radiculopathy is the general term for these injuries.

Radiculopathy most commonly occurs in the lower, or lumbar, region of the spine. This condition has been termed lumbar radiculopathy. Though less common, radiculopathy may also occur in the neck, or cervical region of the spine, which is known as cervical radiculopathy.

Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Common symptoms of radiculopathy include radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. In some cases, a loss of motor function can result from lumbar radiculopathy. These symptoms may be felt all the way to the tips of the fingers or toes, even though the nerve injury is at the base of the spine. 

Radiculopathy symptoms felt in the arms and hands are usually caused by cervical radiculopathy, while those in the back of the leg and the foot usually result from lumbar radiculopathy. The location of the nerve compression determines where radiculopathy symptoms are felt. 

The severity of lumbar radiculopathy symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Some patients with radiculopathy experience severe, debilitating symptoms that significantly impact their day-to-day activities. 

Causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy

There are several possible causes for lumbar radiculopathy, including:

• Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease is a normal part of the aging process. It occurs when the intervertebral discs weaken and dry out over time. As the discs become damaged, the nerves of the spine may become irritated, leading to radiculopathy symptoms. 

• Repetitive motions involving the spine

Repetitive and high-impact motions can contribute to lumbar radiculopathy. This is more common among people with occupations that require repetitive motions or heavy lifting.

• Being overweight

Being overweight or in poor physical health can also contribute to radiculopathy. This is because added body weight puts extra stress on the nerves, which can lead to nerve damage. 

• Diabetes

Diabetes is associated with heightened blood glucose levels. This can cause the development of deposits within the blood vessels that decrease circulation throughout the body. As a result, high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage. 

• Genetics

A genetic predisposition can also increase one’s risk of developing spinal radiculopathy.

• Spinal conditions

Various spinal conditions can cause nerve impingement and lead to radiculopathy. Examples of these conditions include herniated disc, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis. 

What Is The Difference Between Sciatica and Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Sciatica is a form of radiculopathy. In fact, it’s the most prevalent type of radiculopathy. It refers to pain that radiates throughout the sciatic nerve, meaning that it starts in the lower back and moves through the buttocks, down the legs, and to the feet.  

The terms lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica are commonly used interchangeably. This is because nerve impingement in the lumbar spine typically involves the sciatic nerve. After all, the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body.  

Can Lumbar Radiculopathy Get Worse?

Lumbar radiculopathy has the potential to get worse. In some patients, the pain may come and go. But, in others, radiculopathy symptoms are persistent and gradually become worse over time. 

If lumbar radiculopathy isn’t promptly addressed, various factors can exacerbate the condition by causing additional nerve damage. These factors include:

• Poor posture

Poor posture increases the amount of stress placed on the spinal nerves. In patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, sitting at a desk with poor posture for hours on end may significantly worsen radiculopathy symptoms. 

• Repetitive movements

Repeatedly twisting, bending, and straining the spine can further irritate the affected nerves, leading to worsened radiculopathy symptoms. 

• High-impact activities

Weight-bearing physical activities can cause additional damage to the spinal nerves. Examples of these activities include football, wrestling, weightlifting, soccer, and hockey. 

How Do You Treat Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Lumbar radiculopathy treatment methods may be non-surgical or surgical. Doctors begin with non-surgical treatment, and if the patient’s symptoms don’t improve after several months, consider surgery. 

Non-Surgical Lumbar Radiculopathy Treatment

Physical therapy, medication, steroid injections, and relaxation are often prescribed successfully to treat lumbar radiculopathy. 

• Physical therapy

Physical therapy is often recommended for lumbar radiculopathy. It involves exercises and therapies designed to improve spinal stability and alignment. This can help create more space for the spinal nerve roots. 

• Medication

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can help relieve inflammation and pain caused by lumbar radiculopathy. This can help make radiculopathy symptoms more manageable. However, these medications generally aren’t recommended for long-term use. 

• Epidural steroid injections

Epidural steroid injections reduce the body’s inflammatory response at the injection site. For lumbar radiculopathy, this can help alleviate inflammation in the spinal nerves. 

Doctors generally advise patients to receive no more than three to four epidural steroid injections per year. Since steroid injections hamper the immune system response, they can cause tissue damage when used in excess. 

• Rest and relaxation

Rest and relaxation are recommended for patients with lumbar radiculopathy to give the spinal nerves time to heal. 

Surgical Lumbar Radiculopathy Treatment

When non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief for radiculopathy of the lumbar region, surgical methods may be recommended. Generally, physicians don’t recommend surgery for lumbar radiculopathy unless the patient has undergone at least six months of conservative treatment. 

Spinal decompression surgery is the main surgical lumbar radiculopathy treatment. This type of spine surgery involves removing spinal tissues to alleviate pressure on the affected nerves. Laminectomy, laminotomy, laminoplasty, foraminotomy, and discectomy are all common methods of spinal decompression. 

Spinal Fusion and Spinal Decompression Surgery For Radiculopathy

Since spinal decompression surgery involves removing tissues from the spine, it can lead to spinal instability. To prevent this, spinal decompression surgery is often combined with spinal fusion back surgery. This combination of procedures has been a common treatment modality for lumbar radiculopathy patients who don’t respond to conservative treatments.

Spinal fusion permanently joins the affected vertebrae using bone graft material. This prevents all motion in the fused spinal segment. Unfortunately, while this counters instability, it also significantly decreases the patient’s range of motion. 

Additionally, fusing two spinal vertebrae forces the adjacent vertebrae to bear additional impact with day-to-day motions. The added impact can cause the adjacent spinal segments to deteriorate at a quicker rate, potentially leading to back pain, stiffness, and neurological symptoms. This complication of spinal fusion is known as adjacent segment disease or ASD. 

Alternative Options For Lumbar Radiculopathy Patients

The TOPS (Total Posterior Spine) System is a new advancement in spinal surgery that can be used as an alternative to spinal fusion. Unlike fusion, the TOPS System preserves the full natural range of motion of the individual vertebrae, which is lost when the bones are fused.

This spinal implant has also been shown to provide superior outcomes in clinical studies conducted across the globe. With TOPS, lumbar radiculopathy patients can attain lasting relief for nerve pain without having to worry about complications from spinal fusion. 

Advances like TOPS give individuals with back problems more options for effective treatments. So, if you’re suffering from persistent radiculopathy pain, speak with a spine specialist about the complete range of treatment solutions available today. 

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Lower back pain has long been a prevalent health concern around the world. In 2017, the prevalence of lower back pain was estimated to be approximately 7.5% of the world’s population. This totals about 577 million people.

There are numerous causes of lower back pain, as well as countless treatments that can help relieve it. Lumbar spinal decompression is one treatment strategy for alleviating lower back pain caused by a pinched nerve. 

This article will discuss lumbar spinal decompression, when it’s implemented, and what patients can expect from the procedure. 

Why is Lower Back Pain So Common?

Imagine if the branches of a tree were as large at the top as they are at the bottom. Now, imagine that a heavy load is placed on the ends of the very highest branches. This would put an enormous amount of stress on the lower portion of the tree trunk.

This is comparable to what we experience as humans with our spinal columns. The human spinal column is like the trunk of a tree, but we’re as large on the top of the trunk as we are at the bottom. This puts a high amount of stress on the lower back, which is also called the lumbar region of the spine.  

The strain of lifting objects and twisting the spine over the course of a lifetime is exacerbated by degenerative spinal changes that occur with age. So, it’s not surprising that most of the back problems that bring patients to spinal specialists are centered in the lower, or lumbar, region of the spine.

Lumbar Spine Disorders

The stresses discussed above, along with disease and/or injury, can result in a host of spinal disorders. Bulging or herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis are among the most common.

• Bulging disc

A bulging disc is a spinal disorder that occurs when the exterior of an intervertebral disc weakens, typically from the natural aging process. This can cause the disc to bulge out into one side of the spinal canal. 

• Herniated disc

A herniated disc is essentially one step further than a bulging disc. It occurs when the soft interior of the disc protrudes out through a crack in the weakened disc exterior. 

• Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis can result from a bulging or herniated disc, as well as a range of other factors. It’s a spinal condition characterized by an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal.

Reduced space in the spinal canal can place stress on the spinal nerves or the spinal cord. But, decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis can effectively alleviate this stress. 

• Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition that develops when one of the vertebrae is unstable and slips out of its regular position. The displaced vertebra settles on the vertebra beneath it. 

These disorders can place unnatural pressure on the nerves that emanate from the spinal column. This may cause pain, restricted mobility, and other symptoms of a pinched nerve.

What is a Lumbar Decompression Surgery?

Spinal decompression is a method of easing pressure on impinged spinal nerves. It can be performed either non-surgically or surgically. Lumbar spine decompression simply refers to decompression procedures performed on the lower portion of the spine.

The surgical solution for a lumbar pinched nerve involves removing a small amount of tissue from vertebrae in the lumbar region. The surgeon will remove the tissue that’s impinging, or putting pressure, on a nerve. This process is referred to as lumbar spinal decompression surgery.

How is Lumbar Decompression Surgery Performed?

There are various types of lumbar decompression surgery that may be implemented for different spinal disorders. The most common forms of surgical lumbar decompression include:

Laminectomy and Laminotomy

Laminectomy and laminotomy are two surgical methods of lumbar decompression that involve the lamina. The lamina acts like the roof of the spinal canal and protects the spinal cord. 

• In a laminectomy, the surgeon removes the majority of the lamina at the affected spinal segment. 
• In laminotomy, the surgeon only removes a small portion of the lamina. 

Laminoplasty

Laminoplasty is a procedure that involves making two cuts in the lamina so that it swings outward, like a door. After creating a hinge with the lamina of the affected vertebra, the spinal surgeon will position small bone wedges to keep the “door” from closing. Commonly referred to as open-door laminoplasty, this procedure can effectively alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves without removing the lamina. 

Foraminotomy

In foraminotomy, the surgeon creates more space around the area where nerve roots exit the spinal canal. This area is known as the intervertebral foramen. It acts as a passageway, linking the spinal canal to the periphery. 

By opening up the intervertebral foramen in foraminotomy, the spinal surgeon can alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves. 

Discectomy

Discectomy is a spinal decompression procedure that involves removing damaged intervertebral disc tissue. The spinal surgeon may remove some or all of the damaged disc, depending on the patient’s needs.

Lumbar Decompression Surgery With Spinal Fusion

Removing tissue in lumbar decompression surgery can lead to spinal instability. So, historically, spinal fusion back surgery has been performed in conjunction with lumbar decompression surgery to stabilize the spine. 

In spinal fusion, the surgeon places bone graft material in between the affected vertebrae. As weeks and months pass after the procedure, the vertebrae will fuse, forming a singular bone. By completely preventing motion in this segment, fusion effectively prevents instability following spinal decompression surgery.  

Unfortunately, lumbar decompression and fusion can have certain negative effects on the body, including:

• Reduced range of motion

The key downside of spinal fusion is that it prevents all motion in the fused segment. This removes flexion, twisting, and bending at the fused level. Many patients return to their usual activities, though some modify high-impact sports.

• Damage to adjacent vertebrae

The spinal segments that are adjacent to the fused vertebrae must undergo additional stress to compensate for the fusion. This can lead to a complication known as adjacent segment disease (ASD), with which the adjacent vertebrae deteriorate at a more rapid rate. ASD can lead to lower back pain, radiating pain, difficulty walking or standing, and neurological symptoms. 

Are Alternatives To Spinal Fusion Available?

Today, the TOPS (Total Posterior Spine) System provides an alternative to spinal fusion that preserves the spine’s natural full range of motion. This advanced spinal implant has been shown to provide better outcomes than fusion in clinical studies performed around the world. 

The TOPS System provides an important additional treatment option for individuals with moderate to severe pinched nerve symptoms. It can provide a major improvement in lower back pain for patients who don’t respond to non-surgical lumbar spinal decompression therapy.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Lumbar Decompression Surgery?

The recovery period for lumbar decompression surgery can vary depending on the exact procedure and whether or not spinal fusion is performed. However, patients can generally expect to wait four to six weeks before reaching their expected degree of mobility and returning to work. 

Spinal fusion prolongs the recovery process for lumbar decompression surgery. It can take up to a year to fully recover from fusion. With this in mind, the TOPS System can significantly reduce the lumbar decompression surgery recovery time, allowing patients to return to physical activity much sooner.

Is Lumbar Decompression Surgery Serious?

Lumbar decompression surgery is an invasive procedure. So, as with any surgical procedure, it comes with certain risks.

With that said, lumbar decompression is widely performed and considered safe. Advancements in medical technology have even made minimally-invasive lumbar decompression surgery possible. This allows for greater safety and a lower risk of complications. 

If you have symptoms of a pinched nerve, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about the complete scope of treatment options available to you. 

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