Spinal decompression
Spinal decompression key points.
- The spinal canal can get narrowed by arthritic tissue which in turn starts to compress either the spinal cord or nerves. Spinal decompression means removing the excess arthritic tissue to free up the spinal cord or nerves.
- When this happens in your neck, we call the condition cervical myelopathy. It’s a very serious condition that needs urgent attention because the spinal cord can’t repair itself and the symptoms may become permanent
- When the spinal canal is narrowed in your lower back, we call the condition neurogenic claudication.
- There are several ways to remove this arthritic tissue from the spinal canal.
Spinal decompression Brisbane
The surgeon said spinal decompression. What exactly is that?
The spine is like a skyscraper, 31 levels in total. The spinal canal is the elevator shaft, extending from from your head all the way to your tailbone (from the penthouse to the basement). The spinal cord and nerves run up and down in this canal.
When a surgeon says spinal decompression they are talking about operating on the spinal canal (the elevator shaft). The spinal canal can get narrowed by arthritic tissue. The excess arthritic tissue can then start to compress either the spinal cord or the nerves.
Spinal surgeon Brisbane
In the neck this condition causes cervical myelopathy. In the lower back the condition causes neurogenic claudication. It is rare in the thoracic spine (the part of the spine where the ribs are attached).
There are several ways to remove this arthritic tissue from the spinal canal. When I see you I can determine which is best for you and your condition. If you would like me to assess your condition, please contact my team to book an appointment.
You may wonder: Will I be back to normal again?
The answer depends on what the surgery was for. If it was for your neck to treat cervical myelopathy then please read about it here.
If it was for the lower back then there is a very good probability that you will return to normal, with no restrictions to activity required.
It is perhaps one of the best quality of life operations I can perform, with patients’ lives significantly improved, because the pain has been fixed and general mobility has increased as a result.
Spinal surgeon Brisbane
For the lower back the operation is the same procedure as a rhizolysis. For the neck the operation is either ACDF or cervical laminectomy. At the appointment I will be able to tell you which one is best for you and your condition.
Spinal decompression surgery risks
Is it safe?
Modern technology has made this a safe and effective operation in the 21st century. Engineers from around the world continue to push the limits of this technology to help further improve this operation for your benefit.
With all this in mind the risks I will discuss with you are:
- The operation may not work. You may continue to have the symptoms despite the surgery. This is rare.
- Your symptoms may reoccur at a later date. This is very rare. Treatment is usually life long.
- Bleeding. This rarely causes a problem.
- Nerve damage. Fortunately it is very rare nowadays to get nerve damage from this type of surgery.
- Infection. This is rare in modern surgical practice:
- Antibiotics. When these were invented in the 1940s, surgery was utterly transformed.
- Proper skincare during and after surgery. Healthy skin is a vital barrier to infection: ‘If you look after the skin, the skin will look after you!’
- Shorter surgery. While there is no cut-off point, it is well recognised that the more efficient the surgery, and the less time taken, the lower the risk.
- General risk of the anaesthetic like clots in the legs, clots in the lungs, urinary tract infections, skin injuries from being on a bed for a long time, and heart or kidney problems. Modern anaesthetic medicine makes many of these risks very low.
I am committed to getting the best possible result for you and minimising the risks. This also includes keeping regular contact with you during the recovery phase.
This is one of the more successful operations performed in modern spine surgery, with consistently good results for the patient from most surgeons.
Very common, in either the neck or lower back.
Generally no. I can give you a clearer idea of what to expect once I’ve seen you and your scan results.
Generally, no. Spinal decompression surgery is well tolerated by patients and early discharge home is common, averaging between 12-72 hours.
Alternatives to spinal decompression surgery
Are there any other good options?
For the lower back there are 2-3 options differing in the pros and cons. I will present these to you.
For the neck surgery spinal decompression is recommended as the only option, as the condition is very serious. If you do have narrowing in the neck or have been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, contact my team to book an urgent appointment.
This is always an option for the lower back. I can give you a clearer idea of what to expect in the future with this option once I’ve seen you and your scan results.
It is not a recommended option for the neck however, as cervical myelopathy is a very serious condition that requires prompt surgical treatment.
Spinal decompression surgery recovery time
What can and can't I do afterwards?
Spinal decompression surgery is well tolerated and patients typically leave the hospital after 12-72 hours.
Once you’re back home, you need to commit to a full recovery period. Patients often think they just need to rest to recover from surgery, but that’s a general misconception.
I will actually encourage you to be as active as possible. It is very important to get your confidence back as soon as possible, and you will be surprised how much you are allowed to do straight after surgery.
Spinal surgeon Brisbane
Recovery is like compound interest; if you do the time, you’ll get the best result. If you shortchange yourself and bail out early you will miss out on significant benefits long term.
The scar for spinal decompression in either the lower back or the neck heals well, and there is usually a very good cosmetic result.
For an ACDF I will remove the suture in my rooms for 1 week. For the other operations, there is no suture to remove as it is dissolvable.
Generally between 12 and 72 hours.
I recommend a minimum of 2 weeks off work to get your confidence back and feel comfortable.
Physiotherapy has a very important role postoperatively. It helps reduce the muscle soreness and stiffness from the surgery.
Spinal surgeon Brisbane
What else do I need to know?
If you would like me to assess your condition please contact my team to book an appointment. If you have been diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, then I will need to see you more quickly, as this condition requires prompt assessment and treatment.
Ready to make an appointment?
Ramsay Specialist Centre
Suite 325
Newdegate St
Greenslopes QLD 4120
