Spinal Fusion
Spinal Fusion may be the best treatment option for the following symptoms:
Neurological deficits - A pathologic condition that causes pressure on nerves, resulting in possible nerve damage and muscle weakness or atrophy.
Degenerative Disc Disease - A normal wear-and-tear process of the spine that occurs after multiple annular tears have developed, resulting in the nucleus pulposus losing the ability to function as a shock absorber.
Herniated Discs - Also referred to as herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), disc rupture, or disc prolapse. The disc consists of a tough outer layer (the annulus fibrosus) and a gel-like center (the nucleus pulposus). A herniated disc occurs when the outer wall of the disc is torn and a portion of the disc is now pushed out through this outer wall tear. The term "annular tear" comes from the tear only without herniation and the term "herniated disc" arrives when the center nucleus is herniated out through the tear in the wall. This phenomenon will cause pain in two ways. The nucleus will produce a chemical and the irritant response on the nerves. Back pain is also produced by the tear in the annular wall.
Kyphosis - A form of spinal curvature similar to scoliosis but causes a bowing of the back, usually the upper back.
Scoliosis - A lateral (to the sides) curvature that also occurs with a rotational component is most readily noticed when looking at the body from the back. This is frequently manifested as a shoulder or pelvic asymmetry or an overall imbalance of the trunk to the left or right.
Spondylolisthesis - A forward slippage of one vertebra over the other. This condition has many causes, the most common of which is a lysis in the pars separating the joints of the vertebra posteriorly allowing spondylolisthesis. It also occurs on a degenerative basis with wearing out of the facet joints posteriorly and the disc anteriorly allowing the entire vertebra to slip forward. This is a less common cause of spondylolisthesis.
Spondylosis - Lumbar spondylosis describes bony overgrowths (osteophytes), predominantly those at the anterior, lateral, and, less commonly, posterior aspects of the superior and inferior margins of vertebral bodies.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Amar Rajadhyaksha to ask any additional questions, please call our offices.
