Surgery is commonly used as a treatment for degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis. There has been controversy regarding it's effectiveness in comparison with non-surgical methods.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a condition in which breakdown of the cartilage between the vertebrae of the spine causes one vertebra to slip over the one below. This can result in narrowing of the spinal column -- spinal stenosis, which places pressure on the nerves, resulting in pain in the buttocks or legs while walking or standing.
This study tracked 370 patients who received a type of surgery known as decompressive laminectomy and 235 who received non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, steroid injections and analgesic medications. These patients were tracked over the course of two years. This trial showed a significant advantage to surgery at 3 months, which decreased only slightly over the course of the two years in terms of mobility and the return of pain.
In most cases the operations suceed with 70 percent returning to their normal jobs and routines and even more former patients needing no more of their pain medicine.
Unusual pain around your back is a normal first sign of the need for surgery, just like people say.
In older people, pain in the back is probably going to be felt. As the muscles degenerate, or if bad posture that has relentlessly weighed on the spine catches up with them, older people will get back pain. Further, all the normal wear and tear in the spine at places that previously have been hit, or overweight that causes the discs to be less flexible, will have their effects. And the consequences might need surgery.
You need not race off for surgery when you first notice your pain, of course, because frequently pain can be dealt with by a good physiotherapist or similar health professional -- not a surgeon.
When the pain refuses to go and surgery appears to be necessary, your doctor needs to determine this for sure by using traditional examinations and x-ray techniques. Request these be used first. Those costly MRI machines will help if it is sure that spinal surgery is required, but studies show that in some 85 percent of cases a scanner won't reveal anything extra that the simple examination and x-ray missed.
Of course, when it's clear you're going to have to have surgery then the MRI scanner will give your doctor essential information concerning your back.
Question your doctor about that information, though. This is because research shows that five years later those who took surgery claimed to have as much relief from pain, or better movement, than those who didn't. So if your surgeon is talking about surgery, get a second opinion.
Both Francisco Mejias & Len Mcgrane are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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