Procedures

Our surgeons are committed to providing the least invasive surgical technique that will allow for the most positive patient outcome. Our surgical expertise encompasses the following procedures:

Cervical spine surgery

Cervical spine surgery is performed at the neck or top of the spine to treat nerve and spinal cord impingement (decompression surgery) and spinal instability (fusion surgery). The two procedures are often combined as decompression may destabilize the spine and create the need for a fusion to add stability. Spinal instrumentation, such as a small plate, can also be used to add stability to the spine.

Discectomy

A discectomy is surgery to remove the damaged portion of a herniated disc in the spine. A herniated disc can irritate or compress nearby nerves that cause pain, numbness, and weakness. This procedure is frequently performed endoscopically or as a microdiscectomy, which are minimally invasive alternatives to the traditional discectomy.

Foraminotomy

A foraminotomy is the surgical removal of small pieces of bone around the foramina, which is a narrow passageway on both sides of the vertebrae that allow the nerve roots to travel from the spinal cord to other areas of the body. The procedure, which usually accompanies a laminectomy, provides more room for the compressed spinal nerve.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to stop pain cause by a spinal fracture due to osteoporosis, to stabilize the bone, and to restore some of all of the lost vertebral body height due to the compression fracture. A small incision is made over the affected area and the surgeon inserts a narrow tube into one side of the fractured vertebra. A balloon is then inserted through the tube and once inside the vertebra it is inflated to open the cavity. The balloon is then removed, and the cavity is filled with a cement-like material that quickly hardens and stabilizes the bone.

Laminectomy

Laminectomy, a surgical procedure often performed to treat spinal stenosis, creates space by removing the lamina, part of the bone that forms the vertebral arch in the spine. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the lamina and will also remove any bone spurs. These structures can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Lumbar disc surgery

In lumbar disc surgery, herniated disc material in the lower back that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord is removed. A fusion may be done at the same time to help stabilize the spine.

Spinal disc replacement

Artificial disc replacement is a newer surgical procedure for relieving low back pain. Similar to hip or knee joint replacements, a disc replacement substitutes a mechanical device for an intervertebral disc in the spine to restore motion to the spine by replacing the worn, degenerated disc.

Spinal fusion

Spinal fusion, which is frequently used to correct severe scoliosis, involves removal of the abnormal vertebra and replacement of vertebrae with bone grafts. Two or more vertebrae are fused together with the help of bone grafts and internal fixators, such as metal rods, wires, hooks, or screws, are used to form one single bone. These internal fixators help to stabilize the fusion and partially help to straighten the spine. Stopping the motion at a painful vertebral segment decreases pain generated from the joint.