What is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression refers to several forms of therapy that relieve pressure on the neurological components of your spine, hence providing relief from spinal pain.
Why Do People Take Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Your body is supported by your spine or backbone. It is made up of bones called vertebrae that are kept flexible by spinal disks and ligaments. A nerve supply passes through the middle of these bones, ligaments, and disks via your spinal column.
Pain may result from spinal injuries or degeneration (wear and tear) of the spine. When your spine becomes compressed, it put pressure is applied to your spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. To reduce pain, spinal decompression surgery aims to release pressure.
What Types of Spinal Decompression Therapies Are There?
Certain forms of back pain can be treated without a medical professional’s help. Sudden, acute back pain typically goes away on its own. Muscle relaxants or painkillers provide relief as you recuperate. Hot and cold packs are also helpful.
There are alternative therapy options for back pain that lasts a long time or is chronic. Most begin with non-invasive spinal treatments. Your healthcare professional might suggest surgery if home care is ineffective.
What are Spinal Decompression Surgeries?
When alternative treatments are ineffective, medical professionals may suggest surgery. While minimally invasive procedures are used in some spinal decompression surgeries, they are not in others. Find out from your doctor if a minimally invasive procedure is right for you.
For spinal compression, your surgical options could be as follows:
A corpectomy involves the removal of a disk or vertebra. Your surgeon may perform a spinal fusion, which joins two bones, to stabilize your spine.
Diskectomy: To relieve pressure on your nerve, your surgeon removes a portion of a disk.
During a foraminotomy or foraminectomy, your surgeon removes bone or other tissue to widen the apertures for your nerve roots. Pain is reduced by creating gaps for your nerves to leave your spinal cord.
How Do You Choose a Spinal Decompression Procedure?
Multiple factors decide which procedure would be most effective for you. Based on the severity of your injuries and your medical history overall, your healthcare professional will prescribe a course of action.
Healthcare professionals typically choose a “stepped” approach. They begin with less intrusive and more economical techniques to observe the course of the injury. Surgery might be the next course of treatment if those don’t work.
Risks & Benefits of Spinal Decompression
Risks
- Allergy reactions to medications can occur, and complementary therapies might not be effective.
- Surgical options may result in tissue or nerve damage, bleeding, clotting, infections, or other side effects.
- Talk to your healthcare professional about your concerns and choices.
Benefits
- Back pain-causing issues can be resolved with the appropriate medical care.
- Your healthcare provider can identify the least risky choice while still finding the best fit for your instance by employing a phased approach.
- You can return to work, school, or play after receiving treatment.
The Cost Of Private Lumbar Spinal Decompression Surgery
Spinal lumbar decompression or spinal laminectomy may cost between Rs. 1,40,000 and Rs. 1,80,000 in India. However, the cost may differ depending on your medical history and the hospital you choose to get it done from.
FAQs
- What happens in spinal decompression surgery?
A disk or vertebra is removed during a corpectomy. To stabilize your spine, your surgeon could conduct a spinal fusion, which unites two bones.
Diskectomy: Your surgeon removes a part of a disk to release pressure on your nerve.
Your surgeon will remove bone or other tissue to create wider apertures for your nerve roots during a foraminotomy or foraminectomy. By allowing your nerves to exit your spinal cord, you can lessen pain.
- What is the success rate of spinal decompression surgery?
Pain and numbness in the legs can usually be relieved with lumbar decompression surgery. However, one in three patients either experience post-operative symptom persistence or recur within a few years of surgery.
- Is it good to decompress your spine?
Your spine can heal from chronic pain with the use of decompression therapy. Spinal decompression therapy treats chronic pain in addition to acute flare-ups. This is so that it takes care of the root of your discomfort rather than merely its symptoms. This aids in self-healing of your body without the need for surgery or other invasive treatments.
- Is spinal decompression expensive?
In India, the cost of a spinal laminectomy or spinal lumbar decompression could range from Rs. 1,40,000 to Rs. 1,80,000.
- How long should spinal decompression last?
Many patients experience decreased pain for a year or longer after their last spinal decompression procedure.
- How many sessions are needed for spinal decompression?
An average spinal decompression session lasts for thirty minutes. You will typically require multiple sessions to fully benefit from this therapy. You may count on 15–30 sessions spread out over four or six weeks.
- Can decompression surgery fail?
Pain and numbness in the legs can usually be relieved with lumbar decompression surgery. However, some patients experience persistent symptoms following surgery or recur within a few years of the procedure.
