Sometimes, as people grow older, their bone structures start to degenerate in various ways that leave them in chronic pain. This degeneration can be a result of diseases like osteoarthritis. Bone loss can also result from a lack of exercise, or a poor diet that does not contain enough calcium. When degeneration occurs in the spinal column, it impacts the small, bony structures that are stacked on top of one another from the base of the skull to the lower back. When the vertebrae become weak, they may not be able to stay in place and stabilize the spinal cord and other structures of the central nervous system that are contained within. This can result in chronic pain, especially in the lower-back area. Sometimes the pain extends down the thighs and legs. This kind of pain is called sciatica.
Lumbar Fusion for Back Pain and Sciatica
Posterior Lumbar Fusion Baltimore MD is an operation that is intended to fuse together two or more vertebrae in the lower back in order to minimize the movement of vertebrae that may be too "loose", therefore allowing for pinching of the spinal cord or other nerve structures. The fusion creates a kind of solid "bridge" in the lower back. While it may seem like it would be uncomfortable to have two or more vertebrae fused together, many patients report that they barely notice any restriction of movement. Most people are surprised to learn how much of bending is actually done from the hip area and not the lower back itself.
Sometimes, a posterior lumbar fusion Baltimore surgery requires a bone graft. This may be the case if the existing bone structures have been weakened or broken down too much through injury or disease. Often, bone is used from the patients own body. This is called an autograft. This bone can be harvested from the area of the spine where the surgery is being performed, or from another part of the body, such as the hip. In some cases, it is also possible to use bone from a donor cadaver. This is called allograft bone.
No comments:
Post a Comment