Spinal Cord Injury and It's Prevention
Dr. Ajay Kumar S P
3 Min Read
Oct 21, 2022
The spine, also called Spinal Cord, is a long tube-like structure made of bone and cartilage (A soft Tissue) connecting the human skull to the lower joints. Your spine is a part of the central nervous system, which also includes the brain and is made up of millions of nerves that communicate with the brain to control various bodily functions. Apart from the obvious benefit that the spine provides posture to the human body, It is an essential organ in the human nervous system. Manipal, Vathur’s spine division have renowned expert and Specialist in neurosurgery, neurology, and orthopaedics to operate on even the most critical spine disorders.
Spine Care specialists at Manipal Hospital, Varthur, have extensive experience diagnosing and treating spine disorders, bringing together distinguished specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, and other specialities to design the most effective treatment tailored to the needs of each patient, such as minimally invasive, pain-relieving, recovery-accelerating procedures for a variety of orthopaedic and neurological conditions affecting the spine and spinal cord.
Manipal Hospitals' Spine Care unit is one of the best in the country due to its world-renowned expertise, cutting-edge technology, scientifically-backed treatment, and a track record of successful complex spine surgery cases.
The cervical spine comprises seven bones called cervical vertebrae stacked on top of each other to form the neck. The cervical discs are the cushions that sit between the vertebrae in the neck, and they absorb shock and allow your neck to move freely. Your cervical spine also serves as a protective tunnel for the upper portion of your spinal cord.…
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a spine surgery that involves approaching the spine from the front of the body to remove disc or bone material from in between two adjacent lumbar vertebrae. The procedure may be performed either as an open surgery or using minimally invasive techniques.
A spinal fusion is used to treat scoliosis, and the basic concept is to realign and fuse the curved vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone. Scoliosis surgeons can significantly improve curves with the tools and technology available today.
Spinal cord tumours can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions and arise in the spinal cord or adjacent to the spinal cord. Intradural intramedullary spinal cord tumours are those that occur within the spinal cord.
Spine reconstruction surgery is a specialised surgery only performed by surgeons with extensive knowledge of disorders and conditions affecting the spinal column and spinal cord. Spine reconstruction techniques have advanced over time and now involve cutting-edge technologies. Patients with significant spinal deformity or misalignment typically require…
Back pain can range from a minor, dull ache to severe, significant discomfort. Back pain can limit mobility and interfere with normal functioning and quality of life. If you are experiencing persistent pain, you should always seek medical attention.
The goal of minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery is to stabilise the vertebral bones and spinal joints and relieve pressure on the spinal nerves, which is often caused by spinal instability, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis, or spinal tumours.
Cervical Spine Surgery involves removing a disc or a bone and fusing the vertebrae with a bone graft in front or behind the spine. The bone graft can be of two types - autograft (bone taken from your body) or allograft (bone taken from another person's body).
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce or stop the pain caused by a spinal fracture, stabilise the bone, and restore some or all of the lost vertebral body height with the special instrument due to compression fracture.
A spinal injection is usually suggested if your back or neck condition is severe enough and has not improved with conservative treatment.
Doctors use various techniques in minimally invasive surgery to operate with less damage to the body than in open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is associated with less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and fewer complications in general. Minimally invasive surgery benefits people with a wide range of conditions due to ongoing advancements or innovations.
A spinal osteotomy is a surgical procedure used to correct certain deformities of the adult or pediatric spine. These include the posterior column osteotomy (PCO), the pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) and vertebral column resection (VCR).
This refers to removing one or more discs to treat herniated discs and degenerative disc disease or it is also used in combination with various spinal fusion procedures.
As the name suggests, Spine Stabilization surgery can now be performed using minimally invasive stabilization procedures that offer patients a safe and effective alternative to back fusion with a faster recovery. It is done through a tiny incision without cutting or damaging the surrounding muscles.
A discectomy is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure proven to reduce pain caused by disc herniations (sciatica). Also called microlumbar discectomy (MLD), this is an advanced procedure where the herniated or protruding portion of an intervertebral disc that is compressing the spinal cord and affecting the nerve root is removed, shrinking an…
The goals of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) are to address the cause of your back pain and to keep your spine stable by fusing two or more of your vertebrae together.
A spinal tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or spinal column. These cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells. Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Primary tumors originate in the spine or spinal cord, and metastatic…
The disc is the soft cushioning structure located between the individual bones of the spine, called vertebra. It is made of cartilage-like tissue. In most cases, the disc is flexible enough to allow the spine to bend. An artificial disc (also called a disc replacement, disc prosthesis or spine arthroplasty device) is a device that is implanted into…
Dynamic lumbar spine stabilization is a surgical technique that stabilizes the spine with flexible materials to allow for more mobility in the spine than traditional spinal fusion surgery.
Spinal reconstruction surgery may be necessary for patients who have a deformity or misalignment that affects a major portion of the spine.
Cervical laminoplasty is a surgical technique that removes pressure from the spinal cord in the neck. Pressure on the spinal cord can be due to various causes including degenerative changes, arthritis, bone spurs, disc herniations, tumors, or fractures.
Posterolateral lumbar fusion is spine surgery that involves placing bone graft between elements in the back, or posterior, of the spine, leaving the disc space intact. The procedure may be performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
A vertebral column resection is a procedure reserved for the most severe spinal deformities and involves removing segments of the spine including the body of the vertebra and the posterior elements, which include the lamina, transverse process, and ribs.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are procedures used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures in the spinal column, which are a common result of osteoporosis. Our neurosurgeons use imaging guidance to inject a cement mixture into the fractured bone (vertebroplasty) or insert a balloon into the fractured bone to create a space and then fill it…
The term 'osteoporosis' literally means 'porous bone.' It is a bone-weakening disease, and if you have it, you are more likely to suffer from sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Osteoporosis is characterised by decreased bone mass and strength. The disease frequently manifests itself without any symptoms or pain, and it is usually not recognised…
Spinal conditions such as scoliosis (curving of the spine), kyphosis (increasing roundback of the spine), spondylolysis (stress fracture of the spine), and spondylolisthesis (movement of one part of the spine on another part) may affect children during their early or late childhood years.
This is a minimally invasive procedure and is done to treat compression fractures caused by osteoporosis.
This procedure consists of removing the lamina (bony arch) from the posterior portion of the vertebral bone.
This procedure is performed to release pressure from the spinal cord, that is mainly caused by spinal stenosis.
This minimally invasive procedure removes a small part of disc material and portion of bone to relieve the compression of nerve roots
This procedure corrects misalignments of pinched nerves or the spinal column. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion and anterior lumbar interbody fusion are the two types of spinal fusion procedures performed.
The Spine Care Center implements treatments suited to individual patient's needs, including minimal invasive, pain-reducing, recovery-accelerating procedures for a range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions affecting the spine and spinal cord. World-renowned expertise, state-of-the-art technology, scientifically-backed treatment and the precedent of successful complex spine surgery stories makes Manipal Hospitals' Spine Care Center one of the best in the country.
Manipal Hospital being the best spine care hospital in varthur road relies on accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment and methodological management of the broad array of spinal conditions. Skilled in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques, Manipal Hospitals provide help to thousands of patients with both common and complex conditions of the back and neck.
Conditions treated at Manipal Hospitals' Spine care, but not limited to, are:
Non-operative treatment of neck and back pain.
Spinal injections of all types including RFA.
Microdiscectomy and spinal decompressions.
Endoscopic surgeries.
Minimal invasive surgeries – PLIF, TLIF, OLIF.
Artificial disc replacements.
24X7 Treatment of Spinal fractures and trauma.
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty Procedures for Osteoporotic fractures.
Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury.
Scoliosis and Kyphosis treatment – Bracing to major corrective surgeries.
Treatment of congenital defects and deformities of spine.
Management of Spinal infections.
Treatment of Spinal and spinal cord tumours.
You may be in the hospital for 1 to 3 days; longer if you have spinal fusion. Rest is important. But doctors want you out of bed as soon as possible. Most people start physical therapy within 24 hours. To have spine surgery in Varthur Road, Bangalore, visit Manipal Hospitals.
For each level of the spine that is treated, balloon kyphoplasty typically takes 30 minutes. Additionally, some patients may have kyphoplasty in an outpatient or ambulatory spine centre because the procedure is minimally invasive. Most patients who have surgery in a hospital are sent home within 24 hours of the procedure.
Inquire with your surgeon about the advantages you will have following the disc replacement process. Additionally, inquire why disc replacement is preferable to microdiscectomy or spinal fusion and vice versa. You should enquire when you may resume working and whether you will experience pain or not follow the procedure. Whether you may eventually require further surgery.
Back pain can occur anywhere along your spine, from your neck to your hips, although it most frequently occurs in the lumbar (lower back) region. Symptoms of back pain include -
Body pain and spasms.
Your back's flexibility or range of motion may be limited by tension, discomfort, and stiffness around the back or neck.
Titanium or stainless steel is used to make rods. These are inert metals that the body does not reject. Rarely, a patient may experience a reaction to costume jewellery due to a metal allergy. Patients who have jewellery sensitivity are typically directed to a dermatologist for testing so that the proper metal can be used during surgery.
You have control over several risk factors to prevent osteoporosis by leading a healthy lifestyle. This may include:
Get enough calcium and vitamin D.
Exercise frequently.
Stop smoking.
Don't overdrink alcohol.
Working with your doctor to address hormone imbalances. Learn about the long-term impacts and adverse effects of the prescription drugs you are taking.
Conditions affecting the spine are complex, Manipal Hospitals help manage your pain and restore function. Our experts are the leaders in spine surgery, interventional spine therapies, and spine wellness. Together they ensure patient's recovery and improved quality of life with the least invasive, most appropriate, and most advanced treatment available. Contact us to know more about Spine care and book an appointment with one of our Spine care specialists today.