Thoracic Spine Reconstruction Surgery

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Thoracic Spine Reconstruction Surgery Near You in New Jersey

Spine deformities are abnormal curves in the spine. Though mild deformities can be harmless, severe ones can cause serious symptoms and health complications. Patients who struggle with pain from spine deformities can find relief at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. With locations near you across New Jersey, we specialize in performing complex procedures like thoracic spine reconstruction. We help patients find relief from spine pain to pursue active and fulfilling lifestyles.

What Is Thoracic Spine Reconstruction?

Thoracic spine reconstruction is a surgery to correct major deformities in the thoracic spine, or upper back. It is a complicated procedure designed to treat multiple levels of the spine at once. It often combines several different surgical techniques to completely address dysfunction and restore a normal shape to the spine. It can be performed with two different approaches:

Complex Spine Reconstruction

Complex reconstruction is used to treat major problems with spine curvature. It is the most extensive type of reconstruction, involving significant spine fusions, implants, and other procedures on large portions of the spine. It is most often used for severe deformities and injuries.

Minimally Invasive Spine Reconstruction

Minimally invasive reconstruction shares the same goals as complex reconstruction, but it uses specialized tools and techniques to work through smaller incisions. This allows for less surgical pain and a smoother recovery. It is most often used for mild injuries and spine infections.

When Is Thoracic Spine Reconstruction Recommended?

Thoracic spine reconstruction is the standard treatment for spine deformities and conditions that affect the shape and alignment of the upper back. These include:

Scoliosis
Thoracic kyphosis
Spondylolisthesis
Thoracic stenosis
Failed back syndrome
Thoracic degenerative disc disease
Thoracic degenerative joint disease
Thoracic spine injury

These conditions often cause serious health complications. They pinch the spinal cord, compress internal organs, and interfere with a patient’s mobility. Common symptoms include:

Moderate to severe upper back pain
Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
Loss of motor control in the arms or legs
An inability to turn, twist, or bend
Difficulties with walking
Reduced mobility
Breathing issues
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Sexual dysfunction or impotence
Body insecurities
Mental health problems

If a patient is struggling with the above symptoms, thoracic spine reconstruction can provide relief. Surgery corrects the cause of complications, letting patients maintain a higher quality of life. Patients interested in surgery should speak with their physician about whether it is right for them.

What Are the Alternatives to Spine Reconstruction Surgery?

Not all spine deformities need surgery. Most cases of scoliosis and kyphosis are mild, causing few to no symptoms. For these patients, conservative treatments are often enough to help them live normally. Nonsurgical treatments for spinal deformities include:

Taking pain medications
Getting steroid injections
Activity modifications
Wearing a back brace

Conservative methods, however, do not correct the deformity itself. They only reduce the discomfort it causes. Constant management is necessary to maintain a high quality of life. In addition, spine deformities are often progressive. This means that symptoms become more severe over time as the deformity worsens. Even if a spine deformity is manageable in the short term, it may eventually start to cause serious complications that cannot be handled conservatively.

Spine surgery is the only way to address scoliosis, kyphosis, and other serious misalignments directly. It is most effective when performed early. The sooner reconstruction takes place, the simpler and less costly it will be – sparing patients from expensive bills and a lengthy recovery.

How Is Thoracic Spine Reconstruction Performed?

There is no single approach to thoracic spine reconstruction. Instead, the surgeon designs an operation that is unique to each patient. The surgeon begins with a thorough diagnostic process involving a physical examination, a review of the patient’s medical history, and imaging tests, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Once the diagnostic process is complete, the surgeon has a clear idea of the patient’s condition and can plan a personalized approach that combines multiple procedures to achieve the desired effect. These may include:

Thoracic laminectomy: This procedure involves removing the back section of the vertebra, called the lamina, to relieve spinal cord compression.
Thoracic discectomy: This refers to the surgical removal of one or more spinal discs, which are discs of rubbery tissue that cushion the spine.
Thoracic disc replacement: After a discectomy, the surgeon may replace the removed disc or discs with a medical-grade implant to restore spine mobility.
Thoracic foraminotomy: This procedure involves removing strategic pieces of bone from around the foramen, relieving pressure on root nerves.
Thoracic spinal fusion: This procedure uses implants and bone grafts to fuse several vertebrae into a single bone, restoring structure at the cost of mobility.

Surgeries at NU-Spine are performed by Branko Skovrlj, MD. He is an award-winning neurosurgeon and one of the only neurosurgeons in New Jersey to focus solely on the spine. His specialty is complex procedures like reconstruction, with which he has decades of experience delivering exceptional results.

Recovery After Thoracic Spine Reconstruction

Most patients need to stay in the hospital for a few days following surgery. Once they are ready to go home, Dr. Skovrlj provides instructions for recovery. Patients should be careful to follow his guidance to prevent complications and ensure successful rehabilitation. His directions may include:

Walking and performing light exercise daily to encourage blood flow
Taking prescribed medications to reduce pain and inflammation
Transitioning to over-the-counter (OTC) medications after about a week
Keeping surgery sites protected with clean dressings
Participating in physical therapy to regain full strength and mobility

The expected length of recovery depends on how extensive the reconstruction was. Most patients, however, can return to normal activities within 90 days. A complete recovery may take up to six months or longer, and spinal fusions may not be fully solidified for over a year. Dr. Skovrlj will speak to patients to help them understand what to expect from spine reconstruction recovery.

Find Expert Spine Reconstruction Surgery Near You in New Jersey

Patients struggling with severe spinal deformities can transform their lives with surgical treatment from NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. We provide thoracic spine reconstruction at locations near you in New Jersey, helping patients live lives free of pain. Contact us today to learn more about spine reconstruction or to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spine Reconstruction

What is thoracic spine reconstruction surgery?

Thoracic spine reconstruction is a surgical treatment for spinal deformities and misalignments in the thoracic spine, or upper back.

When is thoracic spine construction recommended?

Thoracic spine reconstruction is recommended for patients with spinal deformities that cause serious symptoms, especially if symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or back braces.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive surgery?

Some spine reconstructions can be performed using minimally invasive methods. These techniques use advanced tools to work through much smaller incisions than open surgery. By reducing the amount of cutting necessary, minimally invasive surgeries provide significant benefits for patients: