When someone endures serious chronic headaches or neck pain as the aftermath of a neck injury, an Orthopedic Physician in Princeton IL may suggest spinal fusion when nothing else works. It’s understandable for someone to want to avoid this type of surgery if possible. However, over-the-counter pain medication may be ineffective and the patient may not want to start taking prescription painkillers. The headache pain can be similar in severity to that of a migraine, and the neck pain can be debilitating. An operation to fuse the bones together can be recommended if the doctor can see on an X-ray or other diagnostic image precisely where the injury is located.
During spinal fusion, an Orthopedic Physician in Princeton IL uses a specialized process similar to welding that permanently joins certain vertebrae together. The separate vertebrae become a solid bone, which eliminates issues such as herniated discs protruding out of alignment. When that happens, there is not enough protective gel between the bones, and the bones rub on the nerves. This causes irritation and inflammation. Spinal fusion also resolves instability in a particular area of the spine when an injury cannot heal fully. That instability causes pressure on nerves. People might agree to this option while dealing with lingering serious pain after a car accident or a work injury.
The main possible problem with cervical spinal fusion, or fusing some neck vertebrae, is that the person cannot easily turn to look at something. With certain bones welded together, the neck loses some of its flexible functioning. The individual may need to turn the upper body to effectively turn the head. Although this is inconvenient, the elimination of chronic pain can be well worth it.
An orthopedic surgeon with a hospital such as St. Margaret’s Health typically recommends physical therapy to begin a few weeks after the operation. The patient learns exercises that strengthen the back and neck. Safe aerobic exercises may be performed as well to bring the individual back to a better level of fitness. The therapy can be particularly advisable if the patient wants to return to a job or to be active in the normal lifestyle. Visit the website to learn more about this health care facility.
