Say No To Spine Fusion!
Refuse to fuse: advancements in spinal surgery
The spinal column is the best example of a structure which is strong enough to support hundreds of pounds of weight, yet flexible enough to allow nearly 180 degrees of bending, that too in all the planes. Spinal disorder limits either its supporting ability or flexibility.
Out of the two, loss of spinal stability is least tolerable as it directly affects the neural structures. The same dictum is also followed in the management of spinal disorders, as surgeons compromise the flexibility of the spine to provide more stability. Although it is good for relief of primary symptoms, it results in collateral damage to adjacent regions of the spine. This is medically known as "adjacent segment disease".
The recent surgical advances like dynamic interspinous stabilizers, disc replacement prosthesis and dynamic pedicle screws have opened new avenues for stabilization of diseased spine without compromising its flexibility. These surgical techniques in addition to preserving motion of the diseased segment, also minimize stress on adjacent regions which significantly decreases chances of adjacent segment disease.
Any choice of words is insufficient to elaborate on the importance of a stable and flexible spine.
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