When you’re faced with pain from a herniated disc, surgery might seem like the quickest solution. However, surgery is not always the best option, and in many cases, disc issues can resolve with the right conservative care. Before opting for surgery, it’s important to explore all your options and understand why non-surgical treatments may be the best choice for you.
The Role of the Posterior Ligamentous Complex (PLC)
The spine’s stability relies heavily on the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC), which includes ligaments such as the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments. These structures help your spine withstand compressive forces during movement. A study by Merter et al. showed that disrupting these ligamentous structures during surgery increases pressure on the intervertebral discs, which can destabilize the spine further and potentially worsen your condition. Cutting these ligaments during surgery shifts more pressure onto the discs, increasing the risk of disc degeneration, re-herniation, and adjacent segment disease. Preserving the integrity of your spine’s natural ligamentous support is crucial for long-term stability and preventing chronic pain.
The Risks of Surgery
While spinal surgery may relieve immediate nerve pressure, it can also introduce long-term biomechanical problems. By removing parts of the posterior ligamentous complex, the spine becomes more vulnerable to further degeneration. This can result in the need for additional surgeries, like spinal fusions, which limit your mobility and come with significant risks. At Pain Experts, we believe in treating disc issues conservatively whenever possible as do many excellent spine surgeons who have sent us patients many years for this purpose. Our lumbar Disc Decompression (DDD) procedure helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots and may decrease the inflammatory process caused by facet joint issues pressing into the spinal canal or neural foramen. Herniated discs may release substances like phospholipase A2, TNF-α, and other inflammatory cytokines. Phospholipase A2 is known for generating pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to nerve root inflammation and pain. These inflammatory substances play a key role in why patients experience discomfort and nerve irritation.
The Body’s Natural Healing Potential
What many patients don’t realize is that herniated discs can heal on their own. The body has a remarkable ability to reabsorb disc material and reduce inflammation, given time and the right treatment. Non-invasive options, such as physical therapy, weight management, and regenerative medicine, can provide pain relief while allowing your spine to heal naturally. We aim to relieve pain and restore function without compromising your spine’s natural structure. By focusing on preserving your ligaments and joints, we support the body’s ability to heal itself.
When Surgery is Necessary
While conservative treatments work for many patients, there are situations where surgery is the right choice. If you experience bowel or bladder dysfunction related to the spine issue, sudden loss of movement, or intolerable pain, surgery may be necessary. We respect spine surgeons and their invaluable work. In fact, we have long-standing referral relationships with some of the most excellent spine surgeons. If surgery is your best option, rest assured that we can refer you to a top surgeon who can address your condition. Spine surgery is typically covered by health insurance, and knowing that you have both surgical and non-surgical options will help you make the most informed decision.
Understand All Your Options
At Pain Experts, we provide non-invasive treatments that may help you avoid surgery while addressing the root cause of your pain. However, if surgery becomes necessary, we will ensure that you’re connected to the best specialists for your care. It’s important to know all of your options when making decisions about your spine health.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore how we can help you manage disc displacement or herniated discs with a conservative, personalized approach.
Study Reference: Biomechanical effects of sequential resection of the posterior ligamentous complex on intradiscal pressure and resistance to compression forces Merter et al., 2019. Available on NCBI. Special credit to Dr. Chris Centeno for recently posting this 2019 study on Linked In.
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