Procedures Offered
Procedures Offered
Motion Preservation Surgery
Motion Preservation Surgery
Motion Preservation Surgery
Artificial Disc Replacement
What is Artificial Disc Replacement?
Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged spinal disc with an artificial device. Unlike spinal fusion, which permanently immobilizes a spinal segment, ADR preserves motion at the treated level while relieving pain caused by degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or disc-related nerve compression.
Why Artificial Disc Replacement is Performed
ADR may be considered if you have:
- Chronic neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) pain from degenerative disc disease
- Pain or nerve symptoms that have not improved with conservative treatments (physical therapy, medications, or injections)
- Good overall spinal alignment and healthy facet joints at the surgical level
- Desire to maintain motion in the affected spinal segment rather than undergo fusion
Benefits of Artificial Disc Replacement
- Preserves spinal motion at the treated level
- Reduces the risk of adjacent segment degeneration compared to fusion
- Less postoperative stiffness than traditional fusion
- Potentially faster recovery and return to daily activities
How the Procedure Works
- Anesthesia – General anesthesia is used.
- Surgical approach – Small incision in the neck (cervical ADR) or abdomen (lumbar ADR) to access the affected disc.
- Disc removal – The damaged disc is removed carefully while protecting surrounding nerves and structures.
- Implant placement – The artificial disc is inserted and aligned to restore disc height and motion.
- Closure – Incisions are closed with sutures or surgical glue.
Recovery After Artificial Disc Replacement
- Hospital stay – Usually 1–3 days depending on procedure complexity.
- Pain management – Medications and ice/heat therapy to control discomfort.
- Activity – Walking and light activity are encouraged early; lifting, bending, and twisting are restricted initially.
- Physical therapy – Exercises to strengthen core and back muscles while maintaining spinal motion.
- Return to normal activity – Many patients resume light activity within a few weeks; full recovery may take several months.
Risks and Possible Complications
ADR is generally safe, but potential risks include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Implant malposition or migration
- Persistent pain or incomplete symptom relief
- Rare need for revision surgery
Is Artificial Disc Replacement Right for You?
ADR may be a suitable option if:
- Your pain is caused by a damaged disc and non-surgical treatments have failed
- You want to maintain motion at the affected spinal segment
- Your spine is otherwise healthy at the surgical level (no severe arthritis or instability)
A qualified spine surgeon will evaluate your imaging studies, symptoms, and overall health to determine if ADR is the best option for you.
- Your pain is caused by a damaged disc and non-surgical treatments have failed
Motion Preservation Surgery
Artificial Disc Replacement
What is Artificial Disc Replacement?
Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged spinal disc with an artificial device. Unlike spinal fusion, which permanently immobilizes a spinal segment, ADR preserves motion at the treated level while relieving pain caused by degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or disc-related nerve compression.
Why Artificial Disc Replacement is Performed
ADR may be considered if you have:
- Chronic neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) pain from degenerative disc disease
- Pain or nerve symptoms that have not improved with conservative treatments (physical therapy, medications, or injections)
- Good overall spinal alignment and healthy facet joints at the surgical level
- Desire to maintain motion in the affected spinal segment rather than undergo fusion
Benefits of Artificial Disc Replacement
- Preserves spinal motion at the treated level
- Reduces the risk of adjacent segment degeneration compared to fusion
- Less postoperative stiffness than traditional fusion
- Potentially faster recovery and return to daily activities
How the Procedure Works
- Anesthesia – General anesthesia is used.
- Surgical approach – Small incision in the neck (cervical ADR) or abdomen (lumbar ADR) to access the affected disc.
- Disc removal – The damaged disc is removed carefully while protecting surrounding nerves and structures.
- Implant placement – The artificial disc is inserted and aligned to restore disc height and motion.
- Closure – Incisions are closed with sutures or surgical glue.
Recovery After Artificial Disc Replacement
- Hospital stay – Usually 1–3 days depending on procedure complexity.
- Pain management – Medications and ice/heat therapy to control discomfort.
- Activity – Walking and light activity are encouraged early; lifting, bending, and twisting are restricted initially.
- Physical therapy – Exercises to strengthen core and back muscles while maintaining spinal motion.
- Return to normal activity – Many patients resume light activity within a few weeks; full recovery may take several months.
Risks and Possible Complications
ADR is generally safe, but potential risks include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Implant malposition or migration
- Persistent pain or incomplete symptom relief
- Rare need for revision surgery
Is Artificial Disc Replacement Right for You?
ADR may be a suitable option if:
- Your pain is caused by a damaged disc and non-surgical treatments have failed
- You want to maintain motion at the affected spinal segment
- Your spine is otherwise healthy at the surgical level (no severe arthritis or instability)
A qualified spine surgeon will evaluate your imaging studies, symptoms, and overall health to determine if ADR is the best option for you.
What is Laminoplasty?
Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure of the cervical (neck) spine designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments. Unlike a laminectomy, which removes part of the vertebra and can reduce spinal stability, laminoplasty reconstructs and repositions the lamina (the back part of the vertebra) to enlarge the spinal canal while preserving motion.
Why Laminoplasty is Performed
Laminoplasty is often recommended for patients with:
- Cervical spinal stenosis causing nerve compression
- Symptoms of myelopathy, such as numbness, weakness, or balance difficulties
- Multilevel spinal cord compression where motion preservation is desired
- Patients who are not ideal candidates for cervical fusion
- Cervical spinal stenosis causing nerve compression
Benefits of Laminoplasty
- Enlarges the spinal canal and relieves pressure on the spinal cord
- Preserves cervical spine motion compared to fusion
- Reduces risk of adjacent-level degeneration
- Avoids extensive removal of vertebral structures
- Often lower risk of long-term spinal instability compared to laminectomy
How the Procedure Works
- Anesthesia – General anesthesia is used.
- Incision – Small incision in the back of the neck to access affected vertebrae.
- Lamina reconstruction – The lamina is partially cut and repositioned to create more space in the spinal canal.
- Hardware placement – Plates, screws, or bone grafts may be used to hold the lamina in place.
- Closure – Incision is closed with sutures or surgical glue.
Recovery After Laminoplasty
- Hospital stay – Typically 2–4 days depending on the extent of surgery.
- Pain management – Medications and supportive care for postoperative discomfort.
- Activity – Light walking and daily activities encouraged; neck movements may be restricted initially.
- Physical therapy – Gradual strengthening and flexibility exercises to support recovery.
- Return to normal activity – Full recovery may take several months; neck motion is usually preserved.
Risks and Possible Complications
While laminoplasty is generally safe, potential risks include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Persistent symptoms if decompression is incomplete
- C5 nerve palsy (temporary weakness in shoulder/arm)
- Rare need for additional surgery
Is Laminoplasty Right for You?
Laminoplasty may be appropriate if you have cervical spinal stenosis or myelopathy and want to relieve spinal cord compression while preserving motion. A spine specialist can determine if laminoplasty is the best surgical option based on imaging, symptoms, and overall spinal health.
Motion Preservation Surgery
Laminoplasty
Motion Preservation Surgery
Kyphoplasty/
Vertebroplasty
What Are Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat spinal compression fractures, often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or tumors. Both procedures involve stabilizing the fractured vertebra with medical-grade bone cement to relieve pain, restore stability, and in some cases, improve spinal alignment.
- Vertebroplasty – Involves injecting bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra.
- Kyphoplasty – Uses a small balloon to restore vertebral height before cement injection, helping correct spinal deformity.
Why These Procedures Are Performed
Kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty may be recommended if you have:
- Severe back pain from a compression fracture
- Pain that does not improve with conservative treatment (rest, medications, bracing)
- Loss of height or spinal deformity due to fractured vertebrae
- Osteoporosis-related fractures or fractures from trauma/tumors
Benefits
- Rapid pain relief, often within 24–48 hours
- Minimally invasive with small incisions
- Stabilizes the fractured vertebra and prevents further collapse
- Short hospital stay, sometimes outpatient
- May restore some vertebral height and improve posture (kyphoplasty)
How the Procedures Work
- Anesthesia – Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
- Small incision – A needle is inserted into the fractured vertebra under imaging guidance.
- Balloon inflation (kyphoplasty only) – A small balloon is inserted and inflated to restore vertebral height.
- Cement injection – Medical-grade bone cement is injected to stabilize the fracture.
- Closure – Incision is closed with minimal sutures; no major tissue disruption occurs.
Recovery After Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty
- Hospital stay – Often outpatient; some patients may stay overnight for observation.
- Pain management – Mild discomfort at the incision site is common; oral medications may be prescribed.
- Activity – Walking is encouraged immediately; heavy lifting and high-impact activity are restricted briefly.
- Follow-up care – Imaging and checkups to ensure proper vertebral healing.
Risks and Possible Complications
Although generally safe, potential risks include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Cement leakage outside the vertebra
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Adjacent vertebral fractures due to altered spinal mechanics
- Persistent pain if fracture does not fully stabilize
Is Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty Right for You?
These procedures may be appropriate if:
- You have a spinal compression fracture causing persistent pain or spinal instability
- Conservative treatments have not provided relief
- Imaging confirms a fracture suitable for cement stabilization
A qualified spine specialist can determine if kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty is the best option based on your imaging, symptoms, and overall health.
When to See a Healthcare Professional
You should see a healthcare provider if:
- You have persistent or worsening back pain
- You experience leg weakness, numbness, or tingling
- You notice difficulty walking or changes in posture
- You develop loss of bladder or bowel control (seek immediate medical attention)
Motion Preservation Surgery
Laminoplasty
What is Laminoplasty?
Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure of the cervical (neck) spine designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments. Unlike a laminectomy, which removes part of the vertebra and can reduce spinal stability, laminoplasty reconstructs and repositions the lamina (the back part of the vertebra) to enlarge the spinal canal while preserving motion.
Why Laminoplasty is Performed
Laminoplasty is often recommended for patients with:
- Cervical spinal stenosis causing nerve compression
- Symptoms of myelopathy, such as numbness, weakness, or balance difficulties
- Multilevel spinal cord compression where motion preservation is desired
- Patients who are not ideal candidates for cervical fusion
- Cervical spinal stenosis causing nerve compression
Benefits of Laminoplasty
- Enlarges the spinal canal and relieves pressure on the spinal cord
- Preserves cervical spine motion compared to fusion
- Reduces risk of adjacent-level degeneration
- Avoids extensive removal of vertebral structures
- Often lower risk of long-term spinal instability compared to laminectomy
How the Procedure Works
- Anesthesia – General anesthesia is used.
- Incision – Small incision in the back of the neck to access affected vertebrae.
- Lamina reconstruction – The lamina is partially cut and repositioned to create more space in the spinal canal.
- Hardware placement – Plates, screws, or bone grafts may be used to hold the lamina in place.
- Closure – Incision is closed with sutures or surgical glue.
Recovery After Laminoplasty
- Hospital stay – Typically 2–4 days depending on the extent of surgery.
- Pain management – Medications and supportive care for postoperative discomfort.
- Activity – Light walking and daily activities encouraged; neck movements may be restricted initially.
- Physical therapy – Gradual strengthening and flexibility exercises to support recovery.
- Return to normal activity – Full recovery may take several months; neck motion is usually preserved.
Risks and Possible Complications
While laminoplasty is generally safe, potential risks include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Persistent symptoms if decompression is incomplete
- C5 nerve palsy (temporary weakness in shoulder/arm)
- Rare need for additional surgery
Is Laminoplasty Right for You?
Laminoplasty may be appropriate if you have cervical spinal stenosis or myelopathy and want to relieve spinal cord compression while preserving motion. A spine specialist can determine if laminoplasty is the best surgical option based on imaging, symptoms, and overall spinal health.
When to See a Healthcare Professional
You should see a healthcare provider if you notice:
- Rapidly worsening spinal curvature
- Persistent or severe back pain
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs
- Difficulty breathing
Motion Preservation Surgery
Kyphoplasty/
Vertebroplasty
What Are Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty?
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat spinal compression fractures, often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or tumors. Both procedures involve stabilizing the fractured vertebra with medical-grade bone cement to relieve pain, restore stability, and in some cases, improve spinal alignment.
- Vertebroplasty – Involves injecting bone cement directly into the fractured vertebra.
- Kyphoplasty – Uses a small balloon to restore vertebral height before cement injection, helping correct spinal deformity.
Why These Procedures Are Performed
Kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty may be recommended if you have:
- Severe back pain from a compression fracture
- Pain that does not improve with conservative treatment (rest, medications, bracing)
- Loss of height or spinal deformity due to fractured vertebrae
- Osteoporosis-related fractures or fractures from trauma/tumors
- Severe back pain from a compression fracture
Benefits
- Rapid pain relief, often within 24–48 hours
- Minimally invasive with small incisions
- Stabilizes the fractured vertebra and prevents further collapse
- Short hospital stay, sometimes outpatient
- May restore some vertebral height and improve posture (kyphoplasty)
How the Procedures Work
- Anesthesia – Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
- Small incision – A needle is inserted into the fractured vertebra under imaging guidance.
- Balloon inflation (kyphoplasty only) – A small balloon is inserted and inflated to restore vertebral height.
- Cement injection – Medical-grade bone cement is injected to stabilize the fracture.
- Closure – Incision is closed with minimal sutures; no major tissue disruption occurs.
Recovery After Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty
- Hospital stay – Often outpatient; some patients may stay overnight for observation.
- Pain management – Mild discomfort at the incision site is common; oral medications may be prescribed.
- Activity – Walking is encouraged immediately; heavy lifting and high-impact activity are restricted briefly.
- Follow-up care – Imaging and checkups to ensure proper vertebral healing.
Risks and Possible Complications
- Infection or bleeding
- Cement leakage outside the vertebra
- Nerve injury causing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Adjacent vertebral fractures due to altered spinal mechanics
- Persistent pain if fracture does not fully stabilize
Is Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty Right for You?
These procedures may be appropriate if:
- You have a spinal compression fracture causing persistent pain or spinal instability
- Conservative treatments have not provided relief
- Imaging confirms a fracture suitable for cement stabilization
A qualified spine specialist can determine if kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty is the best option based on your imaging, symptoms, and overall health.
When to See a Healthcare Professional
You should see a healthcare provider if:
- You have persistent or worsening back pain
- You experience leg weakness, numbness, or tingling
- You notice difficulty walking or changes in posture
- You develop loss of bladder or bowel control (seek immediate medical attention)