Lumbar Spine Screw Fixation
Causes of Lumbar Spine Displacement
The first cause is spinal degeneration and displacement. Normally, the spine is held together by ligaments, but degeneration of the spinal joints can cause looseness, leading to spinal displacement.
The second cause is growth-related. Some patients have this condition from birth or due to spinal abnormalities, making the spinal supports weak and prone to displacement. However, the most common cause is spinal degeneration.
“The risk group includes people who are overweight, have weak muscles, use the wrong muscle groups, or those who work in a fixed posture, such as sitting for long periods without strengthening back muscles. This causes the spine to bear more weight, accelerating degeneration and leading to this condition faster.”
Initially, patients experience lower back pain, which is the most common symptom of lumbar spine displacement. If left untreated for a long time, the displaced vertebrae will compress the nerves controlling the legs, causing pain in both legs and reduced walking endurance, such as needing to rest after walking for only 10 minutes. If displacement occurs in the thoracic spine, it can cause paralysis of the upper half of the body.
Treatment by Lumbar Spine Screw Fixation Surgery
Initial treatment, if there is no numbness or muscle weakness, can be done through exercise combined with weight loss to strengthen the back muscles to support the spine. Medication as prescribed by a doctor may also be used. Surgery is considered the last option and depends on the doctor’s judgment and the patient’s preference.
Advantages of Surgery
Minimally invasive lumbar spine screw fixation surgery is performed using a microscope, with small incisions about 2.5 cm on each side (right and left of the spine) to insert the camera and screws. This causes less muscle damage during surgery, resulting in less postoperative pain compared to traditional surgery, which causes more muscle trauma, more pain, and longer recovery time.
The fact is that this condition cannot heal on its own except through surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is therefore the answer to alleviate fear.
Usually, patients come to see a doctor when symptoms are already severe because most people with back pain prefer massage, hot compresses, and ultrasound, which are only supportive treatments. These methods relieve pain for about 1–2 weeks, but when returning to normal activities, the pain recurs. Some patients are unaware of their spinal displacement and seek chiropractic adjustments, which can worsen the displacement.
Precautions for Surgery
Generally, complications are rare, but surgery still carries risks of spinal injury as follows:
- Bleeding from the wound
- Infection requiring antibiotics
- Problems related to the surgical hardware, such as loosening or improper placement
- Blood clots
- Side effects from anesthesia
The above complications can negatively affect future surgeries. Therefore, patients must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions.
However, to prevent spinal disease, maintain good health, control body weight, and avoid sitting in one position for too long or staying in the same posture continuously, as this causes muscle fatigue. Regular exercise is also important to strengthen the muscles around the spine, but avoid extreme activities that involve impact, jumping, or improper spinal traction. These measures help support the spine and prevent spinal degeneration. The number of patients with this condition is expected to increase due to repetitive work postures, making it a risk factor. Therefore, building immunity by living a proper and appropriate lifestyle is essential. For inquiries about minimally invasive lumbar spine screw fixation surgery
Dr. Teerachai Phanitpong
Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon
Phyathai 3 Hospital
