Orthopedic spine surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the spine. When conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections fail to relieve pain or restore function, spine surgery may be recommended. It’s important to know what common spine surgeries are and when to talk to your orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Thomas Cartwright at Houston Advanced Spine in The Woodlands, TX, can explain what orthopedic spine surgeons can do and the common surgeries performed. 

Understanding Orthopedic Surgery 

There are several types of spine surgeries that your orthopedic spine surgeon in The Woodlands, TX, can perform, and you must have an understanding of what common spine surgeries might be. When you understand common surgeries, you’ll have a better idea of when you may need help from your orthopedic spine surgeon. 

Spinal fusion is one of the most frequently performed spine surgeries. It involves permanently joining two or more vertebrae together to eliminate motion between them. This procedure is often recommended for conditions such as degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis. By stabilizing the spine, spinal fusion can help reduce pain and prevent further degeneration. 

A discectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a herniated or damaged portion of a spinal disc that is pressing on a nerve root. This condition, known as a herniated disc, can cause significant pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Your surgeon may perform a microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a smaller incision and specialized tools, resulting in a quicker recovery. 

Artificial disc replacement is an alternative to spinal fusion for patients with severe disc degeneration. In this procedure, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc designed to mimic the natural movement of the spine. This surgery aims to preserve motion at the affected level and reduce the risk of adjacent segment degeneration, a common issue with spinal fusion. 

Contact Your Orthopedic Surgeon Today 

Make sure you understand what surgeries are commonly done on the spine. Contact Dr. Thomas Cartwright at Houston Advanced Spine in The Woodlands, TX, to learn more about what an orthopedic spine surgeon can do. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (281) 305-9533.