Surgery for degenerative disc disease has traditionally been discectomy (removal of the disc) and spinal fusion. But with the new total disc replacement procedure, more patients are opting for this motion sparing technique. Fusion limits motion at the fused vertebral segments, whereas disc replacement tries to keep as much of the natural motion as possible.

Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal where the spinal cord is located. Many things can contribute to stenosis but the most common are the degenerative changes that occur with aging. One of the major causes of synovial cysts in the spine is degenerative spondylolisthesis.

A synovial cyst is a mass linked with a joint. It is formed when leakage of synovial fluid from inside the joint forms a gel-filled pouch lined withepithelial cells or cells that are epithelial-like. Epithelial cells are special cells that line cells the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, including cysts. In the case of these cysts, there is a channel connecting joint to cyst. The channel may be long enough that the cyst isn't even next to the joint.

The two basic bone grafts used in spinal fusion are either autografts (harvested from the patient) or allografts (obtained from a donor bank). Each type of grafting material has its own advantages and disadvantages. But apparently, infection based on bone graft type isn't one of them.

Spinal fusion is aided by the placement of bone chips placed alongside and between the vertebral bodies. These bone graft materials help jump start the healing process and foster a successful fusion.

Surgeons removing synovial cysts from the spine have noticed some interesting things about these structures. Sometimes they are located quite a bit away from the joint they originate from. Sometimes they are on both sides of the joint. Sometimes they contain bits of joint cartilage, scar tissue, and even fragments of bone. These unusual findings led the researchers who wrote this article to study these cysts more closely and report on what they are made of and how they are formed.

So, you or someone you know is planning on having a spinal fusion. Lots of thoughts go through your mind as you prepare for the big day. Meanwhile, your surgeon is also giving the procedure some preplanning and preparation. Everything that can be done to minimize infection or other postoperative problems is considered. The surgeon will choose what type of bone graft material to use.

Surgeons want the best for their patients. And they pride themselves on obtaining the best results for each patient no matter what kind of surgery is being done. Having said that, they also are very careful in what is referred to as patient selection to assure those good results.

Decompression is a surgical procedure designed to take pressure off the spinal cord and/or spinal nerve roots. The surgeon removes a portion of the bone called the lamina. The lamina forms part of back/leg pain associated with spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) or degenerative disc disease.

Even simple spinal surgeries can result in serious problems when infection occurs. Despite sterile techniques, any open incision leaves the patient at increased risk of wound infection. The use of minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) may be changing the picture.