Millions of Americans suffer from back pain – a condition that is often difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Due to the sophisticated structure of the spine and numerous hard and soft tissues involved in proper functioning of the back, a number of causes can lead to persistent, wearisome back pain. It is highly recommended that individuals experiencing any type of back pain discuss it with their doctors because pain might signal serious disease or acute condition. Sometimes, immediate spine surgery might be necessary to prevent lasting harm.

Anatomy of the Spine

The spine consists of vertebrae, spinal discs, facet joints, spinal muscles and spinal cord. Ideally, all of these parts function harmoniously to allow the spine to flex, bend and rotate easily. In addition, the spinal complex serves to protect the spinal cord that provides vital communication between the brain, extremities and internal organs. From the spinal cord, nerves extend throughout the body, continually exchanging signals between the brain and each cell of the body. Because of the close interaction between the spinal bones, muscles and the nerves, spinal problems often result in sensations of persistent, strong pain.

Spinal Injuries

Back pain can result from age-related spinal degeneration, physical exertion, psychological distress and injury. The latter cause can lead to devastating consequences, especially if the injury is extensive. In the United States, about 50,000 spinal injuries occur every year. While many of them result in minor damage, others require surgical treatment and extensive post–surgical rehabilitation. Fortunately, recent medical advances, such as vertebrate spine surgery, allow surgeons to treat many spinal injuries that previously resulted in permanent disabilities.

One of the more common spinal injuries is herniated or ruptured disc. This trauma occurs when the strong outer fibers or the soft center of the disc become torn or ruptured. This event prevents spinal disc from performing its normal function – absorbing shock and ensuring vertebrae mobility. As a result, people with injured spinal discs often experience persistent, sharp pain. Spondylolisthesis is another common condition affecting the lower back. This injury often results from repetitive low-level trauma to the lower back, such as that experienced by football players and gymnasts. Spinal stenosis is a condition producing dull, aching pain in the lower back when standing or walking. This problem is a result of the aging process that tends to gradually narrow the spinal canal and compress the spinal cord.

Types of Spine Surgery

The latest advances in spine surgery allow surgeons to improve patients' spinal function and alleviate pain resulting from various injuries and degenerative conditions. Serious spinal disc problems and spinal instability are often treated by discectomy and spinal fusion. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged disk and repositions the adjacent vertebrae with special metal hardware or bone grafts. The goal of the procedure is to make the two vertebrae to grow together into a solid bone, thus improving spinal stability and reducing pain. While spinal fusion might sound like an exotic procedure, spinal fusion is a natural process occurring in newborns. Babies are born with 33 vertebrae; however, by adulthood many of the vertebrae have fused together, resulting in only 24 separate vertebrae.

Foramenotomy is a surgery that alleviates pressure on the nerve root, resulting in decreased neck pain. During this procedure, the surgeon removes some of the tissue surrounding the nerve root in order to decrease pressure and inflammation. If the back pain is caused by bone spurs pressing against the back of the spinal cord, the surgeon might perform laminectomy. During this procedure, small segment of the back of the spinal cord is removed, releasing pressure and decreasing pain.

Vertebrate Body Replacement

Vertebrate spine surgery is an advanced procedure that replaces damaged or fractured vertebrae. Unlike discectomy that removes only the disc between two vertebrae, vertebrate body replacement results in a restored vertebrate. By replacing a damaged vertebrae body with an artificial body, the surgeon can increase the stability of the spine and protect the spinal nerves. This technology is typically used when the vertebrate has been largely destroyed by a tumor or spinal trauma. Vertebrate spine surgery allows patients to return to normal everyday activities while alleviating their pain.

Consulting With a Skilled Synex Attorney

The talented lawyers of Viles & Beckman, LLC have helped numerous individuals assert their legal rights and obtain rightful compensation for their injuries. If you are suffering pain after receiving a Synex vertebrate replacement complication, you might be entitled to compensation for your pain, medical expenses, time off work and emotional suffering. To obtain a thorough review of your situation, please contact the skilled Synex lawyers of Viles & Beckman, LLC at 1-800-64-VILES. They will explain how the Synthes FDA recall might affect your rights and help you hold those responsible for your suffering liable.

 

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