Spondylolisthesis and Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Spinal or back pain is not something we can ignore, this symptom of Spondylolisthesis requires a treatment promptly as when severity aggressively increases, surgery would be the only remedy solution for a patient. However, today there is an innovative surgical approach that is safe and not terrifying to every patient called Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion or TLIF. For that reason, a neurosurgeon at Phyathai 3 Hospital,Dr. Theerachai panitphong is with us to provide more information about this medical innovation.

Warning signs of Spondylolisthesis

If the pain occurs on the shoulders then spreads to legs and cause them weakness, that could be assumed as a symptom of Spondylolisthesis. A common pain that often found is waist pain which may happen from an accident or spinal degeneration; while the body is moving, the bone would slightly move and compress on adjacent nerves that locate around. As a result, the pain would aggressively increase while both legs would be weakened and numbed. Moreover, the patients may have a feeling of being stabbed by a small needle and the symptom can develop to urination problems afterward.

Risk groups for Spondylolisthesis

Dr. Theerachai explianed that Spondylolisthesisa’s cause depends on different variables, for example, from a middle-aged person to elderly, aged from 40 to 50, who have no strength of their body muscle, this case the spine has to carry more weight of a person as a result, this indicates that the more weight, the faster degeneration especially those having improper long hours sitting with one posture. In fact, these people have high risk of the Spondylolisthesis due to its long-time accumulation of the degeneration.

If severe symptoms occur … Surgey may required

Regarding explanation from Dr.Theerachai, Spondylolisthesis Treatment is divided as follows:

1. 1. Patients with mild symptoms or have no muscular weakness: they can still do exercising in order to increase more strength in the muscles. Moreover, they can also control their body weight as well as taking a medicine prescribed by a doctor.

1. Patients with severe symptoms: Most patients suffer from the pain from both legs which it is similar to electric shock. A doctor will provide TLIF procedure to stabilize the spinal bone back to its position. However, although this solution can treat and helps patients go back to normal condition, it is considered as the last option basing on doctor’s discretion and patient need.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

Talking about surgery, patients and their family members may worry about size of surgical scars. However this treatment will not cause this affect, Dr. theerachai added that the approach only causes 2.5 cm. scar so that a small camera can be inserted through an operative area. Instead of performing the operation in the middle area, the surgery is performed on the side of spine aligned with its bone (on the right and left) In addition, Blood transfusion during an operation is not required while postoperative pain will also not be happening afterward.

Advantages of TLIF

1. 1. Minimal invasive scar

1. 1. Less pain and less blood loss

1. 1. Suitable for older patients

1. 1. Fast recovery; patients can stand up and walk after surgery in contrast with open surgery that requires a long period of rehabilitation.

1. 1. Lower chance to get wound infected due to minimal size of wound.

1. No Blood transfusion needed

Last but not least, self-care and TLIF treatment selection are essential for everyone. Phyathai 3 hospital is ready to provide every patient with well-medical equipment of treatment by specialized teams of medical staffs who have been experiencing in TILF over 20 years as well as well-trained nurse team that helps every patient recover after their surgery safely so that they can go back to their regular lifestyle.