Which Spinal Surgeries Are Most Common After an Accident?

People who sustain injuries in car crashes, from falls, or in any instance where negligence leads to harm may need to undergo surgery as part of their treatment plan. If those injuries affect their necks or backs, spinal surgery could be required.

There are several different types of spinal surgeries, which mostly consist of reducing the pressure on the spinal area to stabilize the spine. We focus on six of the most common types of spinal surgeries and procedures below.

• Spinal fusion: A spinal fusion is one of the most frequently performed surgeries on the spine. It connects multiple bones in the spine to keep them from moving, which can reduce pain. The surgeon will fill the space between the bones with a special material, keeping the bones in place and preventing any movement from occurring.
• Laminectomy: In a laminectomy, the surgeon gets rid of any tissues or bone spurs in the spine. Certain parts of the bones in the spine may also need to be removed. This opens up space and eliminates any pressure or pain that was occurring.
• Diskectomy: A diskectomy requires taking out any damaged or impaired areas of the disks in the spine to reduce the patient’s pain levels. This is a frequently recommended surgery for those who have disks with centers that have fallen out of place or are bulging out.
• Vertebroplasty: Vertebroplasty consists of inserting cement-like material into the broken or cracked bones within the spine. This is a common procedure used to alleviate pain as well as to treat compression fractures.
• Foraminotomy: In a foraminotomy, the surgeon expands or enlarges the section surrounding the bones in your spine. This type of procedure helps increase your support, relieves pain, reduces pressure, and gets rid of compressed or pinched nerves.
• Disk replacement: Lastly, a disk replacement surgery entails completely removing a disk and replacing it with an artificial disk. This can help alleviate pain while still giving the patient the opportunity to move.

What percentage of spinal surgeries are successful?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), over 50 percent of spinal surgeries are successful, but this percentage only accounts for those who had their first spinal surgery. After the first spinal surgery, this percentage goes down. The NCBI points out that 30 percent of second spinal surgeries, 15 percent of third spinal surgeries, and 5 percent of fourth spinal surgeries are successful. Therefore, if you need spinal surgery more than once, the chance of it being successful reduces each time.

What percentage of spinal surgeries fail?

The American Society of Anesthesiologists explains that around 20 to 40 percent of spinal surgeries fail. Therefore, it is crucial that you are aware of these risks before agreeing to or undergoing spinal surgery. While you may have the best doctor or surgeon, there is always the chance that your spinal surgery will be unsuccessful, causing you to have more pain and less mobility in your back.

What are the odds of being paralyzed after spinal surgery?

While the odds of being paralyzed after spinal surgery are relatively low, it is important to know and understand that there are risks associated with this type of surgery. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that “any time you operate on the spine, there is some risk of injuring the spinal cord. This can lead to serious injuries to the nerves or the covering of the spinal cord.” If this happens, your brain may not be able to communicate with the nerves, which can lead to paralysis in some areas of the body.

If you sustained injuries to your back from a car accident, slip and fall, or other incident involving someone else’s negligence, the Maryland spinal injury lawyers at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are ready and available to assist you. We know that spine injuries can result in various complications and lead to costly treatments and surgeries, which is why we are here to guide you through the legal process and stand up and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life again. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule your free and confidential consultation today. We have many offices located throughout Maryland for your convenience.