Tumor Removal and Cervical Spine Fusion – successful stories

I was suddenly in severe, constant pain. Simply getting out of bed each day required a heavy dose of hydrocodone. Unable to perform any task that required sustained attention, I had to rest often and was never comfortable. I was even having difficulty urinating. My quality of life was terrible.

At least this time I had an explanation for my symptoms. I learned that a rare and aggressive cancer, hemangiopericytoma, was causing the recurring tumors that were pressing on my nerves.

Since I had a great deal of scar tissue from my previous surgeries, my then-doctor recommended a non-invasive radiation treatment rather than surgery. I was hesitant about this new technology and sought another opinion. I was referred to ordered X-rays, examined me and said he would be able to remove the tumor surgically, even with the extensive scar tissue.

In a 15-hour surgery, the tumor was removed and, because of the previous surgeries, vertebrae in my neck had to be fused and reinforced with pins and plates. I was in a hard body brace for seven weeks. After the removal of the brace, I underwent six weeks of radiation at a hospital near my home.

Unbelievably, I was able to suspend the pain medication immediately after surgery. Each day I became a little stronger and able to do more. Today, I am able to do most activities, including walking three miles a day, volunteering at a local high school and building wooden boats, which is my passion.

 

Reference information: http://www.knowyourback.org

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Spine Navigation Surgery – Procedures

Prior to surgery, patients undergo a series of CT scans. Once the images are downloaded into the navigation system, orthopaedic surgeon would perform a calibration process that is critical for the surgical outcome. Then Orthopaedic surgeon can then perform surgeries based on a 3-D anatomical picture of the patient. Orthopaedic surgeon insert a probing instrument through a small incision in the patient, and then the probe transmits signals back to the system. The system software integrates the patient’s CT scan with data from the digital camera probe, and then displays a real-time view on-screen of exactly where the instruments are positioned - throughout the procedure.

Spine Navigation Surgery – Pros & Cons

1.    In the traditional orthopaedic surgeries, screws are placed using a freehand technique or by fluoroscopy, which uses X-rays to capture an image on a television screen of the process of screw placement. Both patients and the staffs of operating room can be exposed to radiation and must use lead clothing for protection. The spine navigation surgery employ a special camera on a computer that uses infrared light to track a surgical instrument in 3D space that can reduce the X-ray exposures.

2.    Spine navigation surgery is performed on a 3D anatomical instead of 2D that can help orthopaedic surgeon to guide their instruments for precise screw placement

3.    The matching / calibration process is critical for surgical outcomes and experienced techniques are necessary.

4.    The benefits of spine navigation surgery must be weighed against potential complications from the surgery. Potential risks and complications include: anesthesia, infection, blood loss, nerve injury, possible re-operation and continued pain. Patients should consult with their orthopaedic surgeon for further details.

Reference information: www.ispine.com.hk

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Intervertebral Disc

The ANNULUS FIBROSUS makes up the outer part of the disc. It consists of collagen fibers containing significant amounts of water and proteoglycans. These fibers are arranged in concentric layers called LAMELLAE. The lamellae are thicker and more numerous in the anterior part of the disc.

Within each lamella, the collagen fibres are oriented obliquely about 30º to the horizontal. The orientation is reversed in each contiguous layer, resulting in a 120º change from layer to layer. This interstriation of fibers imparts great tensile strength and allows for multiplanar motion. The structure of the disc is similar to a radial automobile tire, which also has great strength and simultaneous compression and tension capabilities.

The NUCLEUS PULPOSUS is the internal substance of the disc. The inner fibers of the annulus fibrosus gradually blend with the nucleus pulposus.

The nucleus pulposus is more gelatinous than the annulus and has a higher water and proteoglycan content. The water content can be 85% in young people; in older people, the water content of the nucleus pulposus may be less than 25%. The nucleus pulposus acts to resist compression in axial loading forces.

Besides allowing for motion, the discs act as shock absorbers to prevent injury to the vertebral bodies and neurological struc-tures. However, the discs are so strong that in compression, the vertebral body will fail before the discs fail.

Reference information: www.hkoa.org

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

後十字韌帶受傷

後十字韌帶受傷並不像前十字韌帶那樣常見。後十字韌帶扭傷通常是因為韌帶被過份拉扯或舒展, 膝蓋關節在前方被撞擊, 或失足而發生的。

後十字韌帶受傷會影響膝蓋關節的穩定因為脛骨可能向後沉。股骨和脛骨的末端會直接地互相摩擦, 對光滑的關節軟骨造成磨損而變成稀薄,。這磨損是會導致關節炎的。
 
處理後十字韌帶受傷
後十字韌帶撕裂的傷者通常都沒有關節不穩定的症狀, 因此手術一般是不需要的。在完成一個復康療程以後, 許多運動員能回復到傷前的活動能力而沒有重大的損傷。
但是, 如果後十字韌帶的受傷情況是後十字韌帶連著部份脛骨一起撕掉, 手術是需要將依附在韌帶上的骨固定在原來的位置。這手術後膝蓋關節的功能通常是相當好的。
 

參考資料: www.ispine.com.hk ,  http://hkoa.or

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，應向自己的骨科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。

後十字韌帶受傷

後十字韌帶受傷並不像前十字韌帶那樣常見。後十字韌帶扭傷通常是因為韌帶被過份拉扯或舒展, 膝蓋關節在前方被撞擊, 或失足而發生的。

後十字韌帶受傷會影響膝蓋關節的穩定因為脛骨可能向後沉。股骨和脛骨的末端會直接地互相摩擦, 對光滑的關節軟骨造成磨損而變成稀薄,。這磨損是會導致關節炎的。
 
處理後十字韌帶受傷
後十字韌帶撕裂的傷者通常都沒有關節不穩定的症狀, 因此手術一般是不需要的。在完成一個復康療程以後, 許多運動員能回復到傷前的活動能力而沒有重大的損傷。
但是, 如果後十字韌帶的受傷情況是後十字韌帶連著部份脛骨一起撕掉, 手術是需要將依附在韌帶上的骨固定在原來的位置。這手術後膝蓋關節的功能通常是相當好的。
 

參考資料: www.ispine.com.hk ,  http://hkoa.or

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，應向自己的骨科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。