Herniated disc pressing on spinal nerves.<unk>  can be used to treat a variety of conditions affecting any level of the spine—lumbar, cervical and thoracic. In general,<unk>  is performed to decompress and stabilize the spine. The greatest benefit appears to be in spondylolisthesis, while evidence is less good for spinal stenosis. The most common cause of pressure on the spinal cord/nerves is degenerative disc disease. Other common causes include disc herniation, spinal stenosis, trauma, and spinal tumors. Spinal stenosis results from bony growths (osteophytes) or thickened ligaments that cause narrowing of the spinal canal over time. This causes leg pain with increased activity, a condition called neurogenic claudication. Pressure on the nerves as they exit the spinal cord (radiculopathy) causes pain in the area where the nerves originated (leg for lumbar pathology, arm for cervical pathology). In severe cases, this pressure can cause neurologic deficits, like numbness, tingling, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and paralysis. Lumbar and cervical<unk> s are more commonly performed than thoracic<unk> s. Degeneration happens more frequently at these levels due to increased motion and stress. The thoracic spine is more immobile, so most<unk> s are performed due to trauma or deformities like scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis. Conditions where<unk>  may be considered include the following: * Degenerative disc disease * Spinal disc herniation * Discogenic pain * Spinal tumor * Vertebral fracture * Scoliosis * Kyphosis (e. g., Scheuermann's disease) * Lordosis * Spondylolisthesis * Spondylosis * Posterior rami syndrome * Other degenerative spinal conditions * Any condition that causes instability of the spine
Spinal fusion
Interbody fusion cage
Vertebral fixation
Spinal adjustment
Scalp reconstruction
Rib removal
Distraction osteogenesis
Intervertebral disc annuloplasty