Spinal decompression: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:38, 16 February 2025

Overview of spinal decompression techniques and their applications

Overview[edit]

Spinal decompression is a therapeutic technique used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or on one or more compressed vertebrae. It is used to treat conditions that cause chronic back pain, such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.

Techniques[edit]

Spinal decompression can be achieved through surgical and non-surgical methods. The choice of technique depends on the specific condition being treated and the severity of the symptoms.

Non-surgical spinal decompression[edit]

Non-surgical spinal decompression involves the use of a traction table or similar motorized device to gently stretch the spine. This process changes the force and position of the spine, which can take pressure off the spinal discs, the gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated discs may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This in turn helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs so they can heal.

Surgical spinal decompression[edit]

Surgical spinal decompression is used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. There are several types of surgical decompression procedures, including:

Laminectomy: Removal of the back part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal. This procedure enlarges the spinal canal and is often used to treat spinal stenosis.
Discectomy: Removal of a portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
Foraminotomy: Enlargement of the bony hole where a nerve root exits the spinal canal to prevent bulging discs or joints thickened with age from pressing on the nerve.
Corpectomy: Removal of a vertebral body and adjacent intervertebral discs to decompress the spinal cord and nerves.

Indications[edit]

Spinal decompression is indicated for patients with:

Chronic back pain not relieved by other treatments
Sciatica
Herniated or bulging discs
Degenerative disc disease
Worn spinal joints (posterior facet syndrome)
Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots

Risks and considerations[edit]

While spinal decompression is generally safe, it is not suitable for everyone. Patients with the following conditions should avoid spinal decompression therapy:

Pregnancy
Fractures
Tumors
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Advanced osteoporosis
Metal implants in the spine

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Spinal Decompression''' is a non-surgical treatment aimed at relieving back pain and associated conditions such as [[sciatica]]. It works by gently stretching the spine, which changes the force and position of the spine. This change takes pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can heal.
+{{Short description|Overview of spinal decompression techniques and their applications}}
-== History ==
+== Overview ==
-The concept of spinal decompression is rooted in the principles of [[orthopedic medicine]], which have been applied for several centuries. However, the modern form of spinal decompression therapy that uses FDA-approved decompression tables only emerged in the mid-20th century.
+[[File:Spinal_Decompression.jpg|thumb|right|Illustration of spinal decompression therapy]]
+'''Spinal decompression''' is a therapeutic technique used to relieve pressure on the [[spinal cord]] or on one or more compressed [[vertebrae]]. It is used to treat conditions that cause chronic back pain, such as [[herniated disc]]s, [[degenerative disc disease]], and [[spinal stenosis]].
-== Procedure ==
+== Techniques ==
-Spinal decompression procedures can be performed both surgically and non-surgically and are used to treat a variety of conditions. Non-surgical spinal decompression is achieved through the use of a mechanical traction device applied through an on-board computer that controls the force and angle of disc distraction. This reduces the body's natural propensity to resist external force and/or generate muscle spasm. This enhanced control allows non-surgical spinal decompression tables to apply a traction force to the discs of the spinal column reducing intradiscal pressure.
+Spinal decompression can be achieved through surgical and non-surgical methods. The choice of technique depends on the specific condition being treated and the severity of the symptoms.
-== Conditions Treated ==
+=== Non-surgical spinal decompression ===
-Spinal decompression is used to treat conditions that result in chronic back pain such as disc bulge, disc herniation, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
+Non-surgical spinal decompression involves the use of a traction table or similar motorized device to gently stretch the spine. This process changes the force and position of the spine, which can take pressure off the spinal discs, the gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated discs may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This in turn helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs so they can heal.
-== Effectiveness ==
+=== Surgical spinal decompression ===
-While spinal decompression therapy has been shown to provide relief for some patients, it is not a cure-all. The effectiveness of the treatment varies depending on the patient's condition and the severity of the injury. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
+Surgical spinal decompression is used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. There are several types of surgical decompression procedures, including:
-== Risks and Side Effects ==
+* '''[[Laminectomy]]''': Removal of the back part of the vertebra that covers the spinal canal. This procedure enlarges the spinal canal and is often used to treat spinal stenosis.
-As with any medical procedure, spinal decompression carries potential risks and side effects. These may include discomfort during or after treatment, skin irritation, and in rare cases, injury to the spinal cord or nerves.
+* '''[[Discectomy]]''': Removal of a portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
+* '''[[Foraminotomy]]''': Enlargement of the bony hole where a nerve root exits the spinal canal to prevent bulging discs or joints thickened with age from pressing on the nerve.
+* '''[[Corpectomy]]''': Removal of a vertebral body and adjacent intervertebral discs to decompress the spinal cord and nerves.
-== See Also ==
+== Indications ==
-* [[Orthopedic medicine]]
+Spinal decompression is indicated for patients with:
+* Chronic back pain not relieved by other treatments
+* Sciatica
+* Herniated or bulging discs
+* Degenerative disc disease
+* Worn spinal joints (posterior facet syndrome)
+* Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots
+== Risks and considerations ==
+While spinal decompression is generally safe, it is not suitable for everyone. Patients with the following conditions should avoid spinal decompression therapy:
+* Pregnancy
+* Fractures
+* Tumors
+* Abdominal aortic aneurysm
+* Advanced osteoporosis
+* Metal implants in the spine
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Spinal cord injury]]
 * [[Back pain]]
-* [[Sciatica]]
+* [[Physical therapy]]
-* [[Spinal stenosis]]
+* [[Chiropractic]]
-* [[Spondylolisthesis]]
-[[Category:Medical treatments]]
+[[Category:Spinal disorders]]
 [[Category:Orthopedic surgical procedures]]
-[[Category:Pain management]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}