Spine surgery
Spine surgery can be unnerving for any patient. Whether you have issues with your neck, upper back, or lower back, you don’t want to take any chances.
Find A ProviderApproximately 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Most of the time this doesn't necessitate surgery, but when it does you want the most advanced technology, and a surgeon who is willing to take the extra time to plan out every detail of your procedure. Being able to diagnose your problem in full detail and create a virtual template for your surgery allows your surgeon to optimize your outcome. Kinomatic VR surgical planning can generate an exact model of your entire spine prior to surgery. From here, your surgeon can select the right hardware and orientation to provide you with the best possible outcome.
Chronic neck and back pain are among the most debilitating barriers to living a comfortable life. If conservative treatment hasn't worked and your pain persists, then spinal surgery may be your surgeon’s recommendation. Fortunately, this no longer necessarily means an extended hospital stay. It may come as a surprise to know that most spine surgeries performed in the US can be done with a minimally invasive technique and on an out-patient basis. Kinomatic VR surgical planning will help your surgeon plan every aspect of your procedure in advance to help mimc your spine’s natural anatomy and ensure the smallest possible impact.
Chronic back pain back typically related to the compression of nerves in your spine. The most common cause of chronic back pain includes the following spinal conditions:- Disk problems. Bulging or ruptured (herniated) disks — the rubbery cushions separating the bones of your spine — can sometimes press too tightly against a spinal nerve and affect its function.
- Overgrowth of bone. Osteoarthritis can result in bone spurs on your spine. This excess bone most commonly affects the hinge joints on the back part of the spinal column and can narrow the amount of space available for nerves to pass through openings in your spine.
(and Smaller) Surgery
Other Causes of Pain in the Spine
Chronic spine pain is commonly caused by arthritis. Arthritis is a term used to describe pain and inflammation in the joints. While there are many types of arthritis, the three most common types that lead to pain and loss of mobility are:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is an age-related form of arthritis that causes joint pain and stiffness. As we age, the cartilage that cushions our joints begins to wear away, eventually leading to painful bone-on-bone contact. This type of arthritis is more common in people over 50 years of age, although it has been seen in younger patients. Osteoarthritis is the most chronic condition of the joints which affects approximately 27 million Americans.
Read more lessGenetic Predisposition
Some genetic factors come into play, and it is believed that some people have a defect in the genetic code that directs collagen production in the body. Other patients may have inherited a minor flaw in how the vertebrae fit together that lead to faster wearing of the cartilage.
Weight
When a person carries excess weight, it naturally places more stress on the spine. This causes the cushioning cartilage to wear away more quickly. It is believed by some researchers that the presence of excess fat in the body leads to the production of inflammatory chemicals that may damage the joint.
Injury due to Falling or Lifting
Spine pain can present itself after numerous different types of activity. Whether it's in a rigorous work environment, in athletic pursuits, running, or other activities that puts excess strain on the back. Types of jobs that involve a great deal of time standing, lifting, or other similar activity can wear away the cartilage more rapidly. Injuries to joints such as damage from a fall, car accident, or other event can lead to a fracture which eventually leads to developing osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disease that can affect any joint in the body. It is more common in the smaller joints such as the hands and feet, but can also affect the spine from the neck all the way down to the lower back. This autoimmune disorder can damage the cartilage over time, causing cartilage loss and joint pain and stiffness.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic Arthritis is the result of a major injury to the spine. Vertebrae fractures, slipped discs, and resulting damage to the cartilage over time will result in arthritis of the spine.
Different types of spine surgery include:
- Diskectomy - This involves removal of the herniated portion of a disk to relieve irritation and inflammation of a nerve. Diskectomy typically involves full or partial removal of the back portion of a vertebra (lamina) to access the ruptured disk.
- Laminectomy - his procedure involves the removal of the bone overlying the spinal canal to relieve pressure caused by artificial narrowing (spinal stenosis). Laminectomy enlarges the spinal canal and relieves nerve pressure.
- Fusion - Spinal fusion permanently connects two or more bones in your spine. It can relieve pain by adding stability to a spinal fracture. It is occasionally used to eliminate painful motion between vertebrae that can result from a degenerated or injured disk.
- Artificial disks - Implanted artificial disks are a treatment alternative to spinal fusion for painful movement between two vertebrae due to a degenerated or injured disk. But these relatively new devices aren't an option for most people.
How Kinomatic VR Can Help
The goal of most spine procedures is to resolve the compression of the nerves in your spine. While traditional spine procedures can offer good outcomes, a significant number of patients unfortunately do not achieve complete pain relief following a spine procedure. Kinomatic VR gives surgeons a new tool to help them effectively map out every detail of your procedure in VR before the first incision is even made. Through Kinomatic surgical planning, your surgeon can create a custom surgical template that recreates your natural biomechanical alignment with unmatched precision. This eliminates the guesswork, giving you and your surgeon confidence in achieving the best possible outcome. Talk to your doctor today to see if you’re a candidate, or click here to find a Kinomatic VR provider near you.
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