Spine Surgery

Spine surgery is rarely an initial treatment for back pain, however, there are a few conditions that may require surgical treatment such as osteoporotic fracture of the spine, tumours of the spine and spinal deformities.

Type of Treatment

Osteoporosis of the spine

Osteoporosis most commonly occurs in older women, and is a result of the loss of bone mineral density, which weakens normal bone.
Osteoporotic fracture typically occurs in the wrists, spine and hips.
The loss of bone strength, particularly in the elderly, can lead to spine fractures following minimal trauma.
These fractures can be very painful and disabling. Vertebral steoporotic fracture often heal in a position that may lead to increasing curvature of the spine (kyphosis).
Click here for patient guide

Tumours of the spine

Tumors of the spine are usually metastatic, meaning they originate from a primary tumor elsewhere in the body and spread to the spine via the lymph nodes or bloodstream.
Tumors can grow into the spinal cord causing neurological problems.
In addition, tumors may destroy vertebral bodies causing collapse and thus, local or radiating pain.
Click here for patient guide

Degenerative Disc Diseases

Degenerative Disc Diseases are among the most common spine conditions with significant impact on health related quality of life, use of health care resources and socio-economic costs.
The increasing age of the population will require an increased need for the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders particularly disc prolapse, spinal stenosis, discogenic backpain and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Click here for patient guide

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc occurs when a portion of the vertebral disc ruptures. This ruptured portion may push on nerves in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar areas.
This pressure on the nerves can often lead to numbness and pain. Smaller herniations are sometimes called protrusions.
Click here for patient guide

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is defined as a slip of one vertebral body relative to an adjacent vertebral body.
This spinal condition most commonly presents as a degenerative disease in adults but may be present in adolescents as a result of deformity or trauma.
Often there is mild to moderate back pain. If the slip is compressing a nerve, leg pain often develops.
Click here for patient guide

Spinal Trauma

Spinal trauma results from significant physical injury sustained as a result of high energy impacts/transfer.
Motor vehicle accidents and falls from heights account for a large portion of spinal trauma.
These injuries can lead to compression of one or more vertebrae. Weakened bones (osteoporosis) can also lead to fracture at a low level of trauma.
A traumatic episode can result in the sudden onset of back pain.
Click here for patient guide