Treatment Protocols

   Microscopic discectomy uses microsurgical techniques to decompress the nerve root. Enhanced illumination and visualization, limited tissue disruption, and quicker recovery times are all benefits offered by the microscopic discectomy surgery procedure. Our surgeons use this procedure to remove herniated or "slipped" discs in the lumbar spine. This minimally invasive technique greatly reduces the amount of pain felt by patients after the operation. Through the use of this new technology, our surgeons are able to provide patients with the same benefits of less invasive surgery. During the microscopic Discectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, medial facetectomy, nerve root retraction and discectomy can be performed microscopically. As a result, patients get the reliability

conventional open surgery combined with the advantages of a minimally invasive technique. Click here to read full details.

   Endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive spine procedure used to remove herniated disc material that is causing uncomfortable pain and pressure in the back. Endoscopic discectomy is an alternative to open lumbar disc surgery and does not involve bone removal or large incisions to the skin. Instead, the procedure involves the use of X-ray imaging and magnified video to help your surgeon insert an endoscopic probe through the skin of your back, between the vertebrae and into the herniated disc space. This is all done through an incision that is 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch.

   Once the endoscope has been inserted, your surgeon sends tiny surgical attachments through the hollow center of the probe which he then will use to remove portions of the herniated disc. If needed, the surgical tools also can help push a bulging disk back into place or remove disc fragments and small bone spurs.

   A local anesthetic is used prior to the start of the procedure, which lasts about an hour. The amount of pain that patients experience is minimal, and there are no stitches required upon completion of the procedure. Click here to read full details.

   Minimal Endoscopic Discectomy (MEND) is a minimally invasive spine surgery technique that utilizes an endoscope to treat herniated, protruded, extruded, or degenerative discs that are a contributing factor to leg and back pain.

The endoscope allows the surgeon to use a "keyhole" incision to access the herniated disc. Muscle and tissue are dilated rather than being cut when accessing the disc. This leads to less tissue destruction, less postoperative pain, quicker recovery times, earlier rehabilitation, and avoidance of general anesthesia.

   The excellent visualization via the endoscope permits the surgeon to selectively remove a portion of the herniated nucleus pulposus that is contributing to the patients' leg and back. Click here to read full details.

   Surgical procedure performed to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the cervical spine. The anterior approach is through the throat area. After the disc is removed, the vertebrae above and below the disc space are fused together.  Click here to read full details.

   The anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is similar to the posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), except that in the ALIF, the disc space is fused by approaching the spine through the abdomen instead of through the lower back. In the ALIF approach, a three-inch to five-inch incision is made on the left side of the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are retracted to the side. Click here to read full details.

   Through an anterior, vertical incision, a discectomy is done on either side of the vertebral body to be removed is performed, followed by the removal of the vertebral body itself. The posterior longitudinal ligament is often removed to allow access to the cervical canal and to ensure complete removal of the pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The defect must then be reconstructed with an appropriate fusion technique. Details of the surgery can be found in the post-operative note completed by the surgeon. Click here to read full details.

   A decompressive lumbar laminectomy during which only part of the Lamina and only a portion of the of the Facet Joint is removed to allow more room for the Lumbar Nerves. Click here to read full details.

   A decompressive lumbar laminectomy is the removal of the back of the spinal bones to relieve the pressure on the nerves.  (more...)

   Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCF) of the spine. In kyphoplasty, a balloon is first inserted and inflated to expand the compressed vertebra to its normal height before filling the space with bone cement. The balloon does not stay in the vertebral body but is removed before the cement is gently injected into the fracture void.  (more...)

   Surgical procedure in which vertebral bone and intervertebral disc material is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves (decompression) in the lumbar spine.   Click here to read full details.

   Posterior lumbar discectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the lower spine. Click here to read full details.

   Surgical procedure in which vertebral bone and intervertebral disc material is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves (decompression) in the thoracic spine. In order to decompress the neurologic structures, generally nearly the entire vertebral body and disc are removed, which must be replaced with a piece of bone graft and mended (fused) together to maintain stability. A small metal plate with screws may also be used to add additional stability. Click here to read full details.

   The Trans Foraminal Interbody Fusion or TLIF fuses the anterior (front) and posterior (back) columns of the spine through a single posterior approach. Click here to read full details.