Degeneration of vertebral discs may lead to instability of the spine. This condition may cause pain and your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to you.
The standard procedure involves a stabilisation of two or more vertebrae of the spine in order to reduce or eliminate pain.
Traditional stabilisation involves fusing two or more vertebrae together and removal of the degenerated disc, however in some cases preserving the natural motion of the spine may be possible. In this case the doctor may suggest a dynamic stabilization. This differs from traditional stabilisation because the vertebrae are not fused. Instead of using a rigid rod, an active rod that acts more like a suspension spring is used to provide the stabilisation needed, while preserving spinal movement.
The main indications for this procedure are instability due to facet joints, ligaments, moderate degenerative disc disease and moderate spondylolistesis
Surgery: the steps.
- You will be given general anesthesia
- The approach is posterior; this means that your surgeon will operate on you from behind.
- Screws are inserted in the vertebrae above and below the source of the pain. The screws will be placed through the pedicles, the strongest part of the vertebra
- An active rod will be placed between the screws.
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