Indian spine surgeons J Naresh-Babu, Viswanadha Arun-Kumar, and DGS Ragu of the Mallika Spine Centre, Andhra Pradesh, performed an observational study to analyze the surgeon’s neck postures while performing lumbar spinal surgeries.
Lumbar spinal surgeries are on the rising trend. With an increase in the number of procedures, the average time spent by a spine surgeon performing surgical procedures is also increasing. The effect of operating posture on the surgeon’s neck is unknown. From the studies conducted on the usage of smartphones, abnormal neck postures, especially the forward head posture (FHP), were found to affect the cervical spine of individuals adversely.
Sixty video recordings (25 open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions [TLIFs] and 35 lumbar decompression [LD] procedures – 15 with a headlight and 20 with an operating microscope) of surgeries performed by three spine surgeons of different heights were analyzed. Running videos of the surgeries were recorded concentrating on the surgeons with reflective markers taped to their surface landmarks corresponding to C7 spinous process, tragus of the ear, and outer canthus of the eye. Head flexion angle (HFA), neck flexion angle (NFA), and cervical angle (CA) were measured and analyzed.
During transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions, head flexion angle (HFA), neck flexion angle (NFA) were significantly higher during the phases of decompression and fusion (P < 0.05). The average cervical angle of all surgeons was lower, thereby adversely affecting the cervical spine (20.15° ± 5.05°). During lumbar decompression procedures, the cervical angle showed a significant difference between the usage of microscope and headlight (P < 0.001).
Indian spine surgeons J Naresh-Babu, Viswanadha Arun-Kumar, and DGS Ragu of the Mallika Spine Centre, Andrapradesh found that the surgeon’s forward head posture (FHP) is frequently caused by a compromise between the need to perform surgery with hands, without elevating the arms, and simultaneous control of gaze at surgical field. The usage of the microscope was found to reduce the stress on the neck while performing surgery.
Dr Ken Hansraj points out that with modern-day operating room tables, that the patient can be rotated, cutting the need of the surgeon to look down, and diminishing the tilt of the head flexion angle (HFA), neck flexion angle (NFA), and cervical angle (CA).
Furthermore, he notes that modern-day surgical telescopes are built at a downwards angle, further diminishing the spine surgeon’s need to look down and hurt his or her neck.
Good posture is essential
New York-based internationally best-selling author and spinal surgeon Dr Ken Hansraj expressed that people need to know that a mere 15 degrees tilt could double the forces on the neck in the text neck.
Good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and the “angel wings,” or the shoulder blades retracted. In proper alignment, spinal stress is diminished. It is the most efficient position to achieve the best posture possible.
Proper posture leads to a taller appearance, deeper breathing, improved well-being, and increased energy with enhanced human performance. Many experts believe stooping and slouching could be associated with depression, weight gain, heartburn, migraines, anxiety, and respiratory conditions.
Dr Kenneth K Hansraj is a spinal and orthopedic surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar procedures, for example, laminectomies and spinal fusions. Dr Hansraj believes in tailoring the operation to the patient using the latest spine technologies. Dr Ken is a spinal surgeon at Nuvance Health based at The Vassar Brothers Medical Center in the Hudson Valley, NY
