What is Dynamic Spine Stabilization
Everyone experiences back pain now and then, but if you have back pain in the lower lumbar region that becomes so severe and persistent that it prevents you from being able to comfortably carry out even normal daily activities, you may have a serious spinal problem in need of medical attention
If you are unable to obtain relief from your back pain by utilizing traditional therapies or conservative approaches such as exercise, rest, or pain medication, you may need surgical intervention. At St. Charles Spine Institute, we offer a spinal surgical procedure that takes a new approach to surgical remedies for back pain and spinal stability. It is called dynamic spine stabilization, and it may be what you need to obtain long-term pain relief and to regain your enjoyment of life.
What Is Dynamic Spine Stabilization?
Dynamic spine stabilization is a spine surgery that is an alternative to fusion or metal implants, which, while able to relieve back pain caused by spinal disk degeneration, can often severely limit range of motion. Dynamic spine stabilization, in contrast, uses flexible materials to stabilize the spine and address lower back disc-related injuries and pain.
How Does It Work?
When you have a serious problem with your spine due to injury or natural degeneration, traditionally, this was addressed through spinal fusion surgery. In this type of surgery, damaged bone material is removed from where it is impinging on the nerves, and metal rods are affixed with screws to the adjoining vertebrae to stabilize the spine. Bone grafts are then attached to the rods, which eventually grow over the rods and fuse the vertebrae together into one larger bony mass. Because it creates a rigid mass fusing multiple vertebrae together, this can limit your range of motion.
In dynamic spine stabilization, however, your surgeon will implant a flexible material instead of metal rods, and screws that allow for some rotation. This provides some “give” in the newly introduced structure, while still being strong enough to stabilize your spine. This new approach offers many of the benefits of traditional fusion therapy, but allows the patient to retain greater range of motion.
What Are the Benefits of Dynamic Stabilization?
In addition to resolving the main problems of pain, degeneration, and loss of flexibility, dynamic spine stabilization may offer other benefits to patients. By allowing greater movement following surgery, the procedure may help to prevent further back problems that sometimes develop after a spinal fusion procedure. Fusion can shift the stress loads of movement to other spinal joints and discs, which may accelerate degeneration in those other joints.
Who Is a Candidate for This Procedure?
Patients who have an unstable spine that causes chronic or acute pain, weakness, and other negative symptoms may be good candidates for dynamic stabilization of the spine, especially if they are concerned about restricted mobility.
If lower back pain is keeping you from living your life, and medications, exercise, rest, physical therapy, and other more conservative approaches have failed to deliver you sufficient relief, dynamic spine stabilization may be the solution you are looking for.
Chronic lower back pain does not have to rule your life and activities. There are surgical solutions that can not only help you finally experience real and long-lasting pain relief but also help you get your life back to normal. If back pain is keeping you from functioning and living your life to the fullest, contact us today at St. Charles Spine Institute to learn more, and let our team design a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Tags: dynamicspinestabilization, spine, spine procedure, spineinjury, spinestabilization, spinesurgery, surgery
