Last updated 2 days 22 hours ago
Back pain is not an ailment you have to live with and it could worsen if you choose not to seek treatment. Alliance Spine is dedicated to offering patients relief for their back pain when surgical measures are required. Encourage your doctor to contact us at (210) 485-1983 or take a look at our website to get a look at our surgical technologies.
- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons can help you understand the problem of disc herniation in the lumbar spine.
- Check out the American Association of Neurological Surgeons online for a look at lower back pain.
- This article from the Mayo Clinic can help you make the important decision to get back surgery.
- Understand the uses for cage implants in spinal fusion surgery with Spine-Health.com.
- Is spinal fusion surgery the answer for your condition? Find out with WebMD.com.
Last updated 4 days ago
If you have been struggling with back or neck pain, you may be considering surgery as an option to restore your quality of life and mobility. However, there are many factors to think about before you select surgery as a treatment. Spinal implant surgery has been successful for many patients in the past, and in many cases relieves pain where other solutions were unsuccessful. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when considering this type of surgery and weighing the benefits:
Am I simply tolerating my back pain? A common trend among patients with back pain is ignoring or living with the pain by avoiding certain activities and limiting their lifestyle. When you do this, you are not providing any actual relief for your pain, and you may notice that your condition continues to worsen. You do not have to live in pain; talking to your doctor about spinal implant options can help you find relief.
Does my health insurance cover the cost of surgery? Financing surgery is an important detail to think about. You should consult your insurance provider to find out if the surgery is covered at all by your policy. If you will have out-of-pocket expenses, you should weigh the potential improvement to your quality of life against the financial commitment of surgery.
What are my chances of successful recovery? Your doctor is the best resource for information about the benefits of spinal implants, so you should ask about the statistical chances that your condition will improve. With the most recent developments in spinal implants and adult stem cells for spinal procedures, surgery offers much more beneficial results than it could in the past.
During your surgical consultation, encourage your physician to contact Alliance Spine at (210) 485-1983 for the latest solutions in surgical treatment for all types of back pain.
Last updated 9 days ago
Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure in which two or more of the vertebrae are fused together in order to provide greater stability and balance in the spine. Typically, the surgery is reserved for cases where more conservative treatments have failed, as spinal fusion does require a significant period of recovery for the patient. Spinal fusion does also have the potential to fail for the patient, but the likelihood is greatly reduced with the help of spinal implants.
A look at the spinal implants used in surgery:
Spinal implants of the past were designed with a “one size fits all” approach that meant success for some patients and discomfort for others. Today, there has been much advancement in spinal implant design, including customizability in shape, size, and materials. Therefore, the devices have a greater chance of offering their intended benefits to the patient. There are generally two types of spinal implants used for spinal fusion, and they may be used exclusively or in conjunction with each other. The first is the rod, which will immobilize certain areas of the spine and restore proper curvature. Rods are set in place by hooks and screws, which provide strong anchorage. The second type of implant used in spinal fusion is the cage; this perforated device supports the growth of new bone while filling in the space of a collapsed disc.
How implants improve surgical results:
The structure of the spine is highly important to its function. When any part of the structure is out of place or misaligned, physical effects may be felt through the whole body. After spinal fusion surgery, the spine is particularly delicate and susceptible to damage from loss of stability. Spinal implants ensure that the vertebrae do not shift and are made for compatibility with MRI machines so that follow-up imaging is possible after surgery.
If you would like more information about spinal implants, consult your physician and ask about the spine surgery solutions offered by Alliance Spine. We work to create products that will make spine treatments more effective and beneficial for each patient. Advise your physician to contact us on our website or give us a call at (210) 485-1983.
Last updated 11 days ago
Spinal fusion is a surgery in which two of the vertebrae are fused together to increase the stability of the spine. This procedure can give you a renewed quality of life, but it does come with an extended recovery process.
In this video, you will hear about Kate’s recovery experience after she underwent surgery for spondylolisthesis treatment. After spending two nights in the hospital, she was able to return home and walk around almost immediately. Once three weeks had passed, Kate felt ready to go back to work, but she does regret this decision to overexert herself that quickly after surgery. Self-care is highly important to the recovery process, so the support of those around you is essential.
If you are in need of spinal fusion surgery, talk to your doctor about how Alliance Spine’s spinal implants can improve your recovery and long-term results. Ask your doctor to get more information about Alliance Spine by visiting our website or calling us at (210) 485-1983.
Last updated 16 days ago
The spinal discs are soft, spongy structures that separate each vertebra to allow for flexibility in the spine. Inside each disc is a gel-like liquid that is surrounded by stiffer layers of the disc wall. As the body ages, the discs are prone to natural damage, which causes them to become compressed and dehydrated. All individuals are subject to this type of disc degeneration, but it does not always cause symptoms like pain and weakness. When disc degeneration becomes a problem, it is referred to as degenerative disc disease, a condition that progresses through definable stages of severity.
The disc loses volume: Once the degenerative process begins, small tears can form in the disc wall that heals into scar tissue. This tissue is weaker than the original disc wall, so the weight of the spine will compress the disc and cause it to flatten. This increased pressure may lead to herniation of the disc, which will irritate the nerve. You may notice intermittent back pain that worsens as time progresses. Pain may be temporarily relieved when you bend forward or sit down.
The spine becomes unstable: As the disc collapses, the intricate structure of the spine becomes compromised. The spine can easily fall out of alignment, leading to further disruption of your regular activities along with more severe pain.
Vertebral damage occurs: If the degenerated disc is left untreated long enough, the two vertebrae sandwiching it will begin to grind against each other. This could result in permanent damage to the spine that is only treatable through fusion surgery.
When you are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, talk to your doctor about available solutions for each stage of the condition, including spinal implants by Alliance Spine. Your doctor can find more information about Alliance Spine’s solutions to treat your degenerative disc disease by visiting our website or calling (210) 485-1983.
