Spinal Procedures
Mary Washington Hospital & Stafford Hospital: Here for You
Mary Washington Healthcare provides a wide variety of spinal procedures.
With advanced medical techniques and state-of-the-art facilities, our
hospitals rank highly for client satisfaction.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion stimulates bone growth that’s similar to how broken
bones heal. Your surgeon places bone-like material between the affected
vertebrae so that they grow together. The united vertebrae cannot move
which helps to eliminate pain.
Spinal fusion is often used to treat:
- Instability
- Degenerative disk disease
- Herniated disk
- Spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis)
- Spondylolisthesis
- Tumor
- Infection
- Vertebrae fracture
When all non-surgical options have been tried, spinal fusion may provide
relief from this pain. It may take several months for a solid bone to
form and fuse your vertebrae together. Spinal fusion takes away some of
your spinal flexibility but only involves a small segment of your spine
that doesn’t limit motion very much.
Laminectomy (Decompression)
Spinal stenosis puts pressure on the nerves in your spine can cause radiating
pain, weakness or numbness in your arms and legs. Laminectomy may be performed
to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves, treat a disk problem, or remove
a tumor from the spine. It is a common treatment for a herniated disk.
Laminectomy is typically performed after all non-surgical treatments are
tried unless nerve damage is present. Patients who have laminectomy may
not be able to walk for an extended amount of time without taking breaks
to sit down.
You will be encouraged to stand and walk directly following your procedure.
Physical therapy may be part of your rehabilitation to improve your strength
and flexibility. Limit excessive bending, lifting or twisting for up to
six weeks to allow your incision to heal.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the primary non-surgical treatment for back pain. Customized
stretches, exercises and movements help increase your strength and flexibility,
eliminate pain, and prevent additional damage to your spine. Physical
therapists may use heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle
release techniques. Your physical therapist will teach you techniques
to increase your flexibility and strengthen your core (abdominal and back)
muscles to prevent injury and improve your posture.
Injections
A spinal injection, or block, is given following a thorough evaluation
of your spine. The injection is given with X-ray guidance in a procedure
called fluoroscopy. This assures accurate needle placement and improves
results and safety. Spinal injections are used to diagnose the cause and
location of spine pain and to treat pain by directly applying anti-inflammatory
medication such as cortisone to the pain source.
Injection types include:
- Epidural
- Facet Joint
- Sacroiliac
Therapeutic Injection
Cortisone, an anti-inflammatory medication, can provide temporary relief
of back pain, Injections can also be given near the structures that are
causing your back pain such as the facet joints of the vertebrae.
Diagnostic Injections
During a diagnostic injection, a local anesthesia is injected in the area
causing your pain. You are evaluated to see if the medication provides
temporary relief from the pain. If it does not provide relief, another
diagnostic injection will be needed.
Medications
Your doctor may recommend over the counter medications or non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. If those fail, your doctor may prescribe a muscle
relaxant. Narcotics can be used for short periods of time to provide relief.
For chronic back pain, low doses of anti-depressants may also be effective.
Medical & Alternative Treatment
You should have a medical professional evaluate any back pain that persists
for longer than 2 to 4 weeks. Most back pain can be treated without surgery.
Seek medical care immediately if your back pain is accompanied by fever,
worsens over time, cycles from your back to your legs, does not go away
with rest, or disturbs sleep.
Medical treatment may include:
- Modifying your activities
- Taking analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or muscle relaxants
- Injections into your spine
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Weight Loss Program
- Quitting Smoking
- Mechanical Back Supports
If medical treatments are not satisfactory, back surgery may be necessary.
Many individuals with back pain have found relief through one or a combination
of alternative treatment options such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic
therapy, pilates, and yoga.