Pedicle screw fixation is a procedure performed to secure the spinal bones (vertebrae) of the treated area in a fixed position using screw-like devices. These devices help provide stability and support to the spine after surgery while the spine heals. Pedicle screw fixation procedure is usually done along with a spinal fusion procedure.
Vertebrae are the bones stacked atop each other to form the spinal column, they protect your spinal cord. Several medical conditions and age-related changes may cause your vertebrae to become unstable, slide out of place or collapse. This can affect the surrounding nerves, muscles and ligaments, and cause severe pain and discomfort.
Depending upon your causative factors, your doctor may use diffaerent approaches to reach your vertebrae, correct their position, and prevent movement.
Indications of pedicle screw fixation
Pedicle screw fixation may be indicated for a number of medical conditions including:
- Spinal column fractures
- Spinal infections
- Tumours of the spinal cord
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Traumatic disruptions
- Lumbar arthrodesis
- Kyphosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoporosis
Surgery may be indicated when conservative methods of treatment including physical therapy and medications have failed to alleviate the patient’s symptoms.
Pedicle screw fixation procedure
This type of surgery is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, who will choose the most suitable surgical approach based on your condition. You will be put to sleep under general anaesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain during the surgical procedure.
An incision is made either on your back or the side depending on the approach decided by the surgeon. The muscles of your back are slowly moved aside to reveal the area to be operated.
Then placement of pedicle screws is performed in a step-wise sequence, after identifying a suitable entry point. A pilot hole is drilled, the integrity of the bone is checked and the pedicle is fixed as appropriate. Once this is done, the back muscles are moved back into place, and the initial incision is closed and dressed.
Postoperative patient-care
Once the surgery is completed, you may feel pain at the site of incision, your doctor may prescribe medications to help you manage the pain. Your doctor may request some imaging studies like X-ray or CT scans to determine how your surgical procedure went.
All strenuous activity must be avoided for four to six weeks following the procedure, then increased depending on your tolerance.
Recovery
Physical therapy and continuous patient evaluations are a part of the follow up for this procedure. This is done to monitor the progression of bone fusion and stability.
A majority of patients experience significant or total improvement in pain symptoms after surgery, and are able to stop using pain medication on a regular basis.
