The State of Spinal Surgery In The Past Decade

While spinal surgery has existed for hundreds of years, the last few decades have seen remarkable improvement in how conditions affecting the spine are approaching. Technologies in fields ranging from radiology to biotech have all had profound influences on the treatments spinal specialists are performing, as well as their ability to treat certain conditions. The last 10 years, in particular, have shown great strides forward in the field, and we’d like to share with you what this means for any potential treatments you may have to undergo on your spine.

Advances in Biomechanics
The spine is a complex system that is involved in almost every move we make, and that means there’s a lot of forces that come into play when considering how to treat it. In recent years the advancement of robotics and 3-D computer models have helped specialists understand the forces at play on the spine, and how they can use these to create better treatments and determine when certain treatments are necessary. Spinal fusion used to be a very popular form of treatment for ailments involving the spine, advanced understanding of biomechanics has aided experts in knowing when the right time to use these procedures are, and when better results can be obtained by taking a different tack.

Robotics In The Operating Room
Working on the spine is always a delicate procedure, and while human hands are one of the world’s greatest tools, there’s nothing that can quite match the precision and steadiness of robot-assisted surgery. Every stage of the patient’s journey, from the initial samples taken for diagnosis to the final procedure itself, has been benefiting from the invention and application of biomechanical robots. Due to the delicacy of procedures involving the spine, robots for this purpose have been difficult to program but an advanced interest in this field has led to the rapid development of these incredible aids. It is speculated that in another 10 years robots will be commonplace in the surgery room, but they’re already becoming more common.

Biotech Brings Miracles To The Process
Miracle may be a strong word, but for those with degenerative joint disease, it may just be appropriate. Stem cell research has led to new methods of treating decaying or damaged discs that involve the use of stem cells to essentially cause the patients own tissue to generate or repair discs that would normally have to be removed as part of a discectomy. This tech contains great promise for the future in regenerating damaged nerves, bones, and discs, eliminating the need for invasive surgeries and fusion treatments.

If you’ve been told that you may need surgery on your spine, or suspect that you may have a condition that will require it, rest assured that it’s an amazing time to get treated. The rising technology of the spinal treatment industry ensures that you have opportunities that weren’t available even 5 years ago that will help you maintain an active lifestyle well into your golden years. Pick up the phone if you live in the Fort Worth, TX area and call Dr. Diana Wilson at Neurological and Spine Consultants, P.A to arrange a consultation, your spine will thank you.