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To view our animations please click on the procedure name: |
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Cervical Spine and Neck
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(ACDF) is a procedure used to treat cervical spine conditions that cause arm pain (radiculopathy), neck pain (degenerative disc disease) and myelopathy. The procedure entails a surgical exposure from the front of the neck and an anterior exposure to the spine. The cervical disc is removed, the disc space is distracted and a bone graft material is used to hold the disc space distracted. Securing the fusion with a plate and screws may or may not be required. This operation produces a reliable improvement in symptoms in carefully selected patients that have failed to improve with non operative treatment. |
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This procedure addresses the same conditions treated with a fusion but is designed to restore the disc height while maintaining motion. It involves an anterior exposure from the front of the neck. After removal of the disc material, the disc space is distracted and the disc replacement is inserted. Motion preservation technology is promising however artificial disc replacement in the cervical or lumbar spine does not have long term follow up in the USA, and should be used sparingly. |
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A procedure that is done with a minimally invasive approach using a microscope and small tubes. This procedure addresses only nerve root compression that causes arm or shoulder pain (radiculopathy) that stems from a bone spur or a lateral disc herniation. The procedure involves a posterior approach to the neck and is essentially aimed at freeing up the cervical nerve root. This procedure is reliable at alleviating the radiculopathy (arm or shoulder pain) only and is not intended at alleviating neck pain. Most patients are discharged the same day. |
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 Posterior Cervical Fusion
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Is a procedure done from the back of the neck using a posterior approach. It involves fusing the cervical vertebrae and is usually reserved for patients with a multilevel procedure. This procedure may be used alone or in combination with an anterior cervical surgery to address conditions such as cervical stenosis (Cervical Myelopathy), Spinal Tumors and Spinal Trauma (Spinal Cord Injuries and Fractures). This procedure usually entails instrumentation (screws and rods) and a bone graft. Minimally invasive techniques are evolving to minimize the otherwise extensive exposure. |
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A procedure that involves the near complete removal of the cervical vertebrae and freeing up of the spinal cord and nerve roots. This procedure is done from the front of the neck and requires an anterior exposure. After the cervical vertebra is removed and the spinal cord is decompressed, the spinal column is reconstructed with bone graft and usually titanium spacers (cages). Once the spinal column is reconstructed a titanium plate is often used with screws to secure the construct. This procedure may or may not be done with a posterior cervical fusion. This procedure is most commonly used for complex spinal reconstructions of cervical myelopathy, spinal tumors and spinal trauma. |
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This procedure is done from the back of the neck through a posterior approach. It involves removal of the lamina (the posterior part of the cervical vertebrae), and decompression of the spinal cord. This procedure is often done for multilevel spinal cord compression from cervical stenosis (myelopathy) and is often accompanied by a posterior cervical fusion. Patients with cervical kyphosis (reversal of the normal cervical alignment) are contraindicated for this procedure. |
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This procedure is done from the back of the neck through a posterior approach. It achieves the same goal as a cervical laminectomy without completely disrupting the posterior elements and is thought to offer an alternative to a posterior cervical fusion. This is a good alternative to a posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion in a select group of patients only. The procedure involves hinging the cervical lamina (in an open door fashion) and keeping it hinged open with bone graft and often small titanium plates. |
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Lumber Spine/Lower Back
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This procedure is done from the front of the body through an anterior approach, We most often utilize this procedure for degenerative conditions that cause back or leg pain as a result of degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis or scoliosis. The Disc space is entered from the front (through a small incision in the abdomen) and cleaned out. The disc space height is then restored with spacers (cages) that are filled with bone graft or Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP). The goal of this surgery is to restore the spinal alignment, decompress the exiting nerve roots and obtain a fusion of the intervertebral space. This procedure may be done as a stand alone procedure or in combination with a posterior fusion as well. |
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This procedure is done from the front or the side of the spine. It involves the near complete removal of the vertebral body. It is most often used for tumors or cancers of the spine and for traumatic conditions such as Burst fractures. After the vertebral body is removed the space is reconstructed with a spacers (Titanium cages most often) and anterior instrumentation (screws, rods plates). This procedure may be done as an isolated procedure or in combination with a posterior stabilization as well. |
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This procedure is done from the front of the spine and involves removal of the disc material, restoration of disc height and placement of a mobile prosthesis (implant). This procedure mainly treats back pain that is caused by degenerative disc disease (discogenic pain).This procedure was recently approved by the FDA however long term American studies as to it’s efficacy are not out yet. This procedure offers an alternative to a fusion in a very select group of patients. As the technology evolves and longer term studies shed more light on the outcome, the use of artificial disc replacements may be more appropriate. |
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This procedure is done from the back of the body through a posterior approach. This procedure is often done through a minimally invasive spine approach (particularly if used to supplement an anterior procedure). This procedure may be done on its own or in combination with an anterior procedure. Posterior lumbar fusion is applied to treat a variety of conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis/stenosis, scoliosis, tumors, trauma and deformity (scoliosis). Most often the fusion is done with instrumentation (screws and rods) and bone graft however certain conditions can be treated without the use of instrumentation. |
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This procedure is done from the back of the body through a posterior approach and involves the removal of the disc material and placement of a spacer (cage) filled with a bone graft material. This procedure is almost always supplemented with a posterior spinal fusion to enhance the fusion. This procedure is used to treat degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis and other conditions that cause back or leg pain. Recently we started applying this procedure to treatment of adult scoliosis, spearing an extensile anterior approach. The surgery achieves the goal of anterior and posterior surgery through a single minimally invasive spinal incision. Certain conditions still warrant an anterior approach. |
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Done from the back of the body through a posterior approach. We utilize either a microdiscectomy approach or a true minimally invasive spine approach through tubes. The procedure is used to treat patients with a disc herniation that causes predominately leg pain. It involves the removal of the disc fragment that is pressing on the nerve that causes the pain (sciatica). Lumbar discectomy does not treat back pain. Patients often go home the same day after surgery. |
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This procedure is done from the back of the body through a posterior approach. It involves the removal of the Lamina (the bony cover to the spinal canal. It is most often used to treat spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) that causes leg pains when walking (neurogenic claudication). The surgery opens up the spinal canal and alleviates the pressure on the nerve roots. This procedure is sometimes done with a fusion when a Spondylolisthesis also exists. Generally a Laminectomy is only reliable in alleviating leg pain and is inconsistent at alleviation of back pain |
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Disclaimer
The information provided is general in nature and is not intended to replace the full evaluation and medical advice of your physician. Patients should not make any medical decisions without consulting their physicians. The animations provided are intended for visual education and do not necessarily exactly reflect the conditions or specific surgeries that are done. Several helpful links have been provided through this website. University Spine Associates, P.A. does not assume any responsibility for information or products viewed on any of the related links to the website |
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