If you are going to have spine surgery, you may be wondering how long the procedure will take. As with other types of surgeries, the answer depends on the extent of the injury being repaired and the complexity of the repair which must be performed.
There are many types of spine surgery. Even the same type of back surgery can lead to varying results on different types of patients and at different portions of the spine.
Learning about the different factors involved in spine surgery can help you get a better grasp of the operation. Let’s talk about some of these factors and who you can talk to in order to find out more.
Back Surgery Procedure Type
The first factor is the procedure itself. Operations vary based on the extent of their invasiveness. Generally, surgeries that involve more tissue cutting and manipulation tend to take more time.
For example, a lumbar laminectomy is used to reverse the narrowing of the spinal column and to relieve pain. Here, doctors make an incision at the spinal column. They proceed to detach the muscles and connective tissues that attach to the vertebrae in order to gain access to the damaged portion of the spine. The doctor then removes the lamina, which includes disc fragments, bone spurs, or other abnormal tissue. Finally, they carefully reattach the muscles and tissues to the vertebrae before suturing (stitching) the incision.
A lumbar laminectomy takes at least an hour. In general, procedures with higher complexity and difficulty take more time in the operating room. An anesthesiologist will ensure that you remain safely asleep during the procedure.
Operation Technique of Spine Surgery
The chosen methodology for the operation also matters in determining surgery duration. For some procedures, surgeons can choose from various ways to proceed with the surgery. This decision may also depend on your health condition and preferences.
For instance, if you have an issue with a disc in your lower back, your surgeon may perform a lumbar discectomy using either open surgery or minimally invasive arthroscopy. The open surgery is similar to a lumbar laminectomy, whereas arthroscopy uses a thin, flexible instrument called an arthroscope to treat the affected disc.
With arthroscopy, the operation only requires tiny incisions and takes less time in the operating room. It can also be performed on an outpatient basis, so you can go home later that day as long as you don’t have any infections or reactions from the surgery.
Open discectomy, on the other hand, takes up to several hours. It also requires a short stay in the hospital.
Orthopedic Care in Northeast Ohio
Here at our facilities in Westlake and Avon, Ohio, Orthopaedic Associates will help support your spine health and help you achieve relief from back pain. We specialize in many types of spine surgery, and our experienced orthopedic surgeons have the expertise to ensure the optimum outcome for your spine surgery.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (440) 892-1440 or (866) 362-7624. You may also fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to discussing your options in achieving relief from your back pain once and for all.