What is distraction ?

[Alastair]

This definition is given by a Spine Surgeon

Essentially �distraction� in spinal surgery is when the spine is shifted apart.

Placing a disc replacement causes �facet distraction� pain from capsular stretching

[Harrison]

On a related note, there have been questions & debate regarding what �distraction pain� is all about and what it means from the patient perspective. This strange and painful symptom is though to result from the distraction (opening and expansion) of a spinal joint � which happens during the ADR procedure.

Though important, a recnt topic is closed for discussion (at the moment) and can be found here and includes useful commentary.

ADR is relatively new in the U.S. and many of the complex issues that face patients post-op may not be documented. As of this date, a web search provides few credible documents on this issue. Sadly, one of the most useful resources to understand this issue is this web site. One of many topics that describe distraction pain is found here.

For more information, search with the term distraction pain (search in �subject only� for tighter results).