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 Spinal Stenosis |
Stenosis of the spinal canal – uncontrolled bone growth
What is spinal stenosis and what is its cause?
NEW : WITH L.I.S.A LASER TECHNIQUE (if preferred under local anaesthesia) ENDOSCOPY ALSO FOR STENOSIS POSSIBLE
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes constant back and leg pain and spasms.
Our experience of many years shows that stenosis is more and more a diagnosis for active people of 50 years and older. Stenosis is an uncontrolled bone growth of the vertebrar joints, caused mainly by swelling of the capsula.
Spinal stenosis narrows the spinal canal, thus provoking pressure on the nerves located in the spinal canal. This narrowing seldom allocates throughout the entire canal, but rather focuses in particular, highly strained areas of the spine. All bones thicken when a person persues a physically exhausting, often one-sided, labour or sport: spinal stenosis is often the consequence of tough, back-straining labour.Our experience of many years shows that stenosis is more and more a diagnosis for active people of 50 years and older. Stenosis is an uncontrolled bone growth of the vertebrar joints, caused mainly by swelling of the capsula.
Spinal stenosis narrows the spinal canal, thus provoking pressure on the nerves located in the spinal canal.
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How can spinal stenosis be treated?
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Spinal Stenosis 1 |
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NEW TECHNIQUE – UNIQUE FOR DR. HOOGLAND´s DEPARTMENT
Endoscopic decompression with stenosis
Dr.Hoogland has developed a new technique for the treatment of spinal stenosis. With the help of endoscope and laser the stenosis is removed in an essentially shorter operating time with considerably fewer risks. During the decompression the bone growth is removed, thus relieving the pain caused by the pressure on the nerves. The decompression is a minimally invasive procedure and can also – as an exception – be performed under local anaesthesia. Patients with a good physical condition can be treated on an out-patient basis.
Microscopic decompression with stenosis
In some cases, e.g. when the patient is suffering from a multisegmental stenosis, with pain in both legs, a special surgical microscope is used. The procedure is performed microscopically, which means that it is done in general anaesthesia. With micro drills the protruding bone is cleared away millimetre for millimetre, just like a dentist does, until the nerves have regained their original space. The stability of the spine is not endangered with this procedure. If the procedure is performed at one level, an incision of app. 5 cm is made. In case of instability (a so-called sliding disc), the discs are stabilized with a strap (made of a body friendly polyethylene). In either case the patient is able to stand and walk after the operation and can leave the hospital after just 2 days.
The results achieved with this method beat the traditional techniques, e.g. laminectomy, a procedure in which the vertebrar arches have to be removed for the most part. Moreover, it means far less strain for the patient!
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What post-operative care and rehabilitation is required after the microscopic decompression?
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Spinal Stenosis 2 |
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A post-operative examination takes place one day after the decompression and patients are then advised about their postoperative behaviour. Patients can take up physiotherapy about 2-3 weeks after the procedure, in order to optimise the operative results. They are given written instructions for correct, back-conserving post-operative behaviour. Patients that underwent surgery are advised to wear a previously fitted corset for two weeks. Physiotherapy can be carried out at our rehabilitation-center as well as in the patients hometown. Our in-house therapists are available for queries concerning the physiotherapy-programme. A second post-operative examination takes place three months after the decompression. Patients are then examined neurologically and orthopaedically and, once again, their muscle-strength is tested by means of MedX. |
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