There are a number of reasons your spinal surgeon may recommend anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery to help with your back problems. The main reason that doctors recommend surgery is because non-surgical options aren’t working and your back is becoming worse over time. If you’ve tried over-the-counter medications and alternative therapies like chiropractic and massage but are still suffering, then surgery may be a good option. If you are also on painkillers just to be able to function each day, looking into surgical options may help you get off the medications and go back to living a normal life.
Fractures and Vertebrate Slippage
Spine fractures are often serious and lead to life-changing damage. Fractures can make it difficult to walk, sit, or stand. If your vertebrates are slipping and one is sliding over another, you may also have difficulty standing or sitting for long periods. Fractures and slippage both cause abnormal movement of the vertebrate. They may rub together, causing pain in the lower back, or you may feel pain radiate down your legs. With anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery, a surgeon can repair damage to fractured vertebrates.
Spine Curvature and Degenerative Disc Disease
Two other conditions that can be helped by anterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery are spine curvature disease, like scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease. In both cases, the vertebrate of the spine may shift and move abnormally causing pain. With degenerative disc disease, your body’s spinal column is slowly deteriorating. The more it’s allowed to deteriorate, the worse your pain will become. People who put off treatment for too long can end up with bone rubbing bone.
While the thought of any sort of surgery is usually unsettling, a skilled orthopedic surgeon will know exactly what to do to ensure that not only is your back pain improved but also that you are informed of the surgical procedure so you can feel comfortable that you’re in good hands. Since anterior surgery goes through the abdomen rather than the back, there is also a decrease in risk of disturbing the spinal nerves during the surgery. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you’re a good candidate for this surgery by taking a thorough medical exam and researching the past and
current treatments you’ve taken for your back pain.
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