Spinal Dislocation! Treatable with... "Minimally Invasive Spinal Dislocation Surgery Technique"

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When sick, treatment is necessary, and when the spine is displaced, prompt treatment is also required. If treated early, it can still be managed with medication and behavioral adjustments. However, if the condition worsens, surgery is the answer. But large incision surgery is not something anyone desires.

Dr. Teerachai Phanitpong, a neurosurgeon and spine specialist at Phyathai 3 Hospital, introduces the “Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) technique for spinal fusion with a small incision.”

 

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc can result from an accident or spinal degeneration. Symptoms start with lower back pain around the waist, leg pain, difficulty walking, soreness, and severe pain when sitting for long periods or walking long distances. Pain worsens after walking for some time. When the vertebrae shift more and compress nearby nerves, symptoms become more severe, such as radiating leg pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation in the legs or feet, and leg muscle weakness. Symptoms usually affect both legs, varying in severity depending on the degree of spinal displacement.

 

In the early stages, patients experience lower back pain in the lumbar spine area, which is the most common problem. If left untreated for a long time, the displaced vertebrae will compress the nerves controlling the legs, causing pain in both legs and reducing walking endurance, such as being able to walk only 10 minutes before needing to rest. If the displacement occurs in the thoracic spine, it can cause paralysis of the upper half of the body.

 

Who is at risk?

“People who are overweight, have weak muscles, use the wrong muscle groups, or work in one position for a long time, such as sitting for extended periods without strengthening muscles, put more weight on the spine, causing faster degeneration and earlier onset of the disease. It is rarely seen in young people but is common in middle-aged to elderly individuals aged 40-50 years because it is mostly caused by degeneration that accumulates over time.”

 

How is it treated?

For patients with mild symptoms, treatment includes medication and weight loss, along with consuming calcium-rich foods such as small fish, cartilage, and calcium tablets. For those with severe symptoms, noticeable by shooting pain in both legs due to nerve compression from displaced vertebrae, surgery is required. Previously, surgery involved a long incision over 1 inch, with risks of significant blood loss and pain because muscles attached to the vertebrae had to be lifted to secure screws to the spine.

 

However, spinal surgery has advanced significantly, especially for herniated disc surgery, which no longer requires large incisions as in the past. The Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) technique uses a small camera to locate the displaced vertebrae before inserting screws to stabilize the spine.

 

Advantages of small incision spinal fusion surgery

  • Small skin incisions cause less pain and reduce blood loss compared to previous surgeries.
  • Suitable for elderly patients.
  • Patients can walk immediately after surgery, unlike open surgery which requires a long recovery.
  • Smaller wounds reduce the risk of infection, resulting in less pain for patients.
  • No need for blood transfusions.
  • Small surgical wounds.
  • Faster recovery; patients can get up and walk the day after surgery.

How to prevent spinal diseases

  • Maintain good health.
  • Control body weight.
  • Avoid sitting in one position for too long or staying in the same posture continuously, as this causes muscle fatigue.
  • Exercise regularly to strengthen muscles around the spine, but avoid extreme activities. Try to avoid impacts, jumping, or improper spinal stretching. These help support the spine and prevent spinal degeneration.

 

The number of patients with this condition is expected to increase in the future due to repetitive work postures, which are risk factors for spinal diseases. Therefore, self-care and choosing minimally invasive surgical methods are important for everyone. Phyathai 3 Hospital is well-equipped with advanced tools, a specialized surgical team with over 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery, and a nursing team trained specifically in post-operative care to help patients return to normal life.

Dr. Teerachai Phanitpong

Neurosurgeon and Spine Specialist

Phyathai 3 Hospital

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