What are the 4 Most Common Back Surgeries & Is There a Safe Alternative?

Dr. Parker Andrew Neill Chiropractor Cary, NC

For over 30 years, Dr Abbie Swank, Dr Parker Neill & Dr Timothy Swank have been serving Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Raleigh & surrounding North Carolina areas. We offer affordable Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression therapy for patients suffering from herniated & bulging discs, sciatica & neuropathy. You'll discover that our... more

The four most common back surgeries are discectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion.

1. Discectomy – Either a portion or the entire damaged disc is removed. If the whole disc is removed, an artificial disc may be inserted to help keep the spine stable. Often performed due to significant pain or weakness.
2. Foraminotomy – The spinal foramen is the passageway for spinal nerves. If this pathway is reduced due to aging or injury, it can lead to nerve pressure. During a foraminotomy, foramen space is increased so that nerves can pass through freely.
3. Laminectomy – The lamina is the portion of the vertebrae that functions as the roof of the spinal canal. During a laminectomy, the lamina is removed to decompress the area. This procedure may be performed along with a fusion or discectomy to ensure all compressing structures are removed.
4. Spinal Fusion – Refers to fusing together two adjacent vertebrae to limit movement. May be helpful where disc degeneration has contributed to spinal instability and hypermobility. A fusion procedure helps to prevent this excess movement. It may be performed as a standalone procedure or as a complement to other decompression operations, such as discectomy or laminectomy.

Alternatively, skip surgery altogether! Spinal Decompression Therapy provides safe, effective and affordable treatment for back pain or sciatica without the risks and recovery of back surgery.