Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Doctor Suggested For Surgery On Crumbling Spine. What Will They Do?
Question: I am 86 years young - my doctor thinks I may have to have surgery on my crumbling spine. What will they do?
Thanks for writing to us.
Crumbling spine also called as degenerative scoliosis and it happens due to wear and tear of spine with increasing age.
Surgery depends upon patient symptoms. If you have significant leg complaint due to nerve compression then in that case we usually do decompression by removing posterior elements of the spine. However if you have severe back pain due curved spine then we may have to put screws in your spine to correct the curve partially. We call this as spinal fusion surgery.
Decision is made based on the symptoms and medical condition of the patient. Thanks.
Crumbling spine also called as degenerative scoliosis and it happens due to wear and tear of spine with increasing age.
Surgery depends upon patient symptoms. If you have significant leg complaint due to nerve compression then in that case we usually do decompression by removing posterior elements of the spine. However if you have severe back pain due curved spine then we may have to put screws in your spine to correct the curve partially. We call this as spinal fusion surgery.
Decision is made based on the symptoms and medical condition of the patient. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
