Getting Zen May Mean Spinal Fusion For Some Groups
September 08, 2019
For many people, yoga is a great exercise, but, according to research from the Mayo Clinic, it's not great for those living with spinal conditions.
In many cases, yoga postures can cause the spine to flex beyond its limits, increasing the risk of spinal injuries, especially compression fractures.
This is especially true for individuals living with osteoporosis and osteopenia.
During the Mayo Clinic study, researchers reviewed the medical records of 89 people, mostly women who had been referred to the Mayo Clinic between 2006 and 2018 for treatment for the pain they attributed to their participation in yoga.
Some of the participants were new to yoga, while others had practiced for years. All reported pain in their back, neck, shoulder, hip, knee, or a combination of these joints.
During the study, participants identified 12 distinct poses that they felt led to or worsened their symptoms. In particular, the poses that flexed or extended the spine caused pain.
Researchers on the study reviewed the health records and imaging of the participants and performed medical exams to categorize the source of the pain, such as joint or bone injuries.
Among the participants, there were 29 bone injuries, including degeneration of discs, slipped vertebrae, and spinal compression fractures. Spinal compression fractures occur because of compression of the vertebrae.
"Most spinal compression fractures happen when the bones of the back have been damaged by injury or weakened by osteoporosis or other diseases, such as cancer," said Dr. Faisal Jahangiri, CNIM, D. ABNM, FASNM, of AXIS Neuromonitoring in Richardson, Texas.
The Mayo researchers found that some poses can put extra pressure on the vertebrae and discs in the back. So while yoga has many benefits, such as improved balance, flexibility, and strength, it could mean spinal fusion for some individuals.
Spinal fusion, also called spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a surgical technique designed to join two or more vertebrae together. "Spinal fusion helps to reinforce the spine, which is especially important after a spinal compression fracture or ruptured intervertebral disc," said Dr. Jahangiri.
The spinal fusion procedure can be performed two different ways: as anterior lumbar interbody fusion, in which the surgery is done through the front, or a posterior fusion.
"The surgeon will access the spine through the back,'" Dr. Jahangiri said.
After making the incision, the surgeon will move muscles and structures in the area aside to be able to reach the spine. Next, damaged joints or discs will be removed.
To fuse the vertebrae, surgeons can use screws, rods, or bone grafts from another body area such as the hip or pelvis to connect the discs and vertebrae.
In some cases, bone morphogenetic protein is used instead. This protein can help stimulate bone growth in affected areas.
Spinal fusion surgery carries with it the same risks of any other surgery.
"These risks include blood clots, infection and negative reactions to anesthesia," said Dr. Jahangiri. But, spinal fusion and other procedures that impact the central nervous system carry additional risks, too.
"Procedures involving the spine or the brain can run the risk of affecting other body systems, too," Dr. Jahangiri said.
There is also the potential for nerve injury, pain, and numbness. This is where Dr. Jahangiri and his team at AXIS Neuromonitoring come in.
"We can provide real-time analysis of the patient neurological status during the surgical procedure in the operating room to track the effects of surgery on these systems," Dr. Jahangiri said.
They do this by interpreting patients neurological functions on neuromonitoring machines. AXIS places highly skilled technologists with neuromonitoring equipment in the operating room to monitor and identify any changes in the patient's nervous system while patients are being operated.
These technologists work in conjunction with neurophysiologists and interpreting physicians also employed by AXIS.
"We can see what surgeons or anesthesiologists can't - like the effects of placing a rod or a screw in certain critical spinal areas," Dr. Jahangiri said. "Being able to see how the nerves are impacted means a lower risk of post-surgical complications."
Source:
Mayo Clinic. People with osteoporosis should avoid certain spinal poses in yoga, Mayo Clinic study says. 20 February 2019.
