Chronic pain is not only debilitating, but it can also be disabling. If left untreated, it can cause deformations that prevent you from carrying out your daily activities. Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center physicians offer discectomy and fusion in Atlanta to alleviate your discomfort and make your life worthwhile.
Do not allow chronic pain to define your life when minimally invasive treatments address the underlying cause of your pain, giving you permanent relief.
What should you know about discectomy and fusion?
Discectomy and fusion refer to a minimally invasive surgery that involves the removal of a ruptured or herniated disc from your neck to relieve chronic pain. This procedure alleviates pain by reducing pressure on your nerve root—compression on your nerve root results in pain spreading down your legs and arms. The compression may lead to partial loss of mobility and coordination in severe cases.
The specialists at the Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center recommend a discectomy and fusion to remove bone overgrowths that may be exerting pressure on your spinal nerves. This procedure can also treat nerve compression due to a herniated disc. A herniated disc causes the nucleus pulposus to protrude and compress the surrounding spinal nerves.
What should you expect during a discectomy and fusion?
The Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center professional team uses slightly invasive methods that rarely cause trauma to the body. During the procedure, they create small incisions to get to your spine and eliminate the bone overgrowths.
The type of treatment approach your provider uses depends on the location of the herniated disc and your unique needs. The specialist may make posterior, anterior, or lateral incisions to obtain the desired results. Your doctor may also conduct a spinal fusion in conjunction with the discectomy. The team may use a bone from another body part to implant a bone graft. Gradually, this bone merges with the vertebrae to form a strong bone.
Your specialist may use a metal plate to provide sturdy support to the spine during the healing period. A cervical fusion involves the treatment of the vertebrae located in your neck. If you’re not eligible for surgery, the team may recommend traditional open treatment procedures for a discectomy and spinal procedures.
What should you expect during the healing period?
Your doctor may discharge you a day after your surgery. You may need to keep in touch with your surgeon to promote healing and manage your pain. Your doctor may recommend low-impact exercises a few days after surgery. Afterward, you can increase the intensity of your physical activities, but you should avoid strenuous activities until you are fully healed.
Complete recovery may require several weeks or a couple of months, depending on your body’s healing powers. It may also take several weeks to embark on your daily activities.
Schedule a physical exam by requesting an appointment online or contacting the Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center office to determine if you’re eligible for a discectomy and fusion procedure.