SPINE SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Absorbable Antibiotic Bead Treatment for Osteomyelitis
If you have an infected bone, your doctor may treat it with medicated beads. These are placed into the bone to send medicine directly into the infection. And that’s helpful, because your bone may not have good blood flow. Lack of blood flow to the bone can keep antibiotics taken by mouth or by IV from reaching the infection. Here’s how medicated beads are implanted.
ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
ALIF is generally used to treat back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The surgeon will stabilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together with bone graft material.
ALIF: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (with bone graft and pedicle screws)
ALIF is generally used to treat back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The surgeon will stabilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together with bone graft material.
Anesthesia (Lumbar Puncture, Spinal Anesthesia)
This numbing medication is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid through a fine needle placed near the nerve roots of the lower spine. It can be used to numb the abdomen, groin, legs and feet. It does not put the patient to sleep, but blocks painful sensations during or after a medical procedure.
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy
This surgery relieves pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerves. It involves the removal of bone and discs from your cervical spine, followed by a fusion.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
This surgery removes a herniated or degenerative vertebral disc in your neck and replaces it with a bone graft. This can relieve painful pressure on spinal nerves.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer)
This surgery removes a herniated or diseased disc and relieves neck and radiating arm pain caused by parts of the disc pressing on nerve roots.
Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Microdiscectomy
This minimally-invasive surgical procedure, performed through a tiny hole in the neck, removes the bulging portion of a herniated cervical disc. It is designed to relieve neck and radiating arm pain caused by herniated disc material pressing on nerve roots.
Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
This procedure replaces a degenerative or damaged spinal disc with an implant designed to preserve motion in your neck. This procedure can relieve the pain of compressed nerves in the cervical spine.
Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement (Mobi-C®)
This procedure replaces a degenerative or damaged spinal disc with an implant designed to preserve motion in your neck. This procedure can relieve the pain of compressed nerves in the cervical spine.
Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement (PCM)
(Caution: Investigational Device)
A goal of this procedure is to relieve the pain caused by pinched nerves due to a damaged disc in the cervical spine. The diseased or damaged disc will be replaced with a specialized implant.
AxiaLIF® (Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
In this minimally-invasive procedure, performed under general anesthesia, portions of a diseased or damaged disc in the lumbar spine are removed and a device is implanted to secure one or more vertebrae to the sacrum. It is typically used to treat back pain caused by a degenerative disc between the lowest lumbar vertebra (called L5) and the top of the sacrum (called S1).
Cervical Laminaplasty (Cervical Laminoplasty)
This surgical procedure creates more space for the spinal cord and nerve roots to relieve the painful pressure of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can result from arthritis.
Cervical Laminaplasty (no hardware)
This procedure is used to treat a painfully restricted spinal canal in the neck. The procedure creates more space for the spinal cord and nerve roots, immediately relieving pressure. The technique is often called an “open door laminaplasty,” because the back of the vertebrae is made to swing open like a door.
Cervical Posterior Foraminotomy
This surgery creates more space for a compressed spinal nerve in your neck. The procedure relieves painful pressure caused by a herniated or degenerative disc.
Facet Fixation (US Spine™)
This procedure is used to implant specialized bolts through the facet joints of two or more vertebrae, locking the vertebrae together and stabilizing the spine. The US Spine Facet Fixation System™ uses smaller incisions than a traditional open fusion surgery, allowing for less tissue damage, reduced blood loss, and a shorter recovery time.
Foraminotomy (Lumbar Spine)
This procedure relieves pressure on spinal nerves in your lower back. It makes more room in an opening called a “foramen.” That’s where a spinal nerve exits as it branches away from your spine.
Interspinous Stabilization (Coflex™)
In this surgical procedure, a titanium alloy device is implanted to relieve back pain or numbness in the legs or buttocks caused by spinal stenosis. This procedure is a non-fusion, minimally-invasive alternative to laminectomy with or without spinal fusion.
Intralaminar Lumbar Microendoscopic Discectomy
This minimally-invasive procedure, performed through a tube called a cannula, is designed to relieve the pain caused by herniated disc tissue pressing against nerve roots in the spine. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and the patient is allowed to leave the hospital the same day.
Intraoperative Monitoring (IOM) of the Nerves
This technique is used during complex surgical procedures, especially those that involve manipulation of the spinal cord. IOM allows a neurotechnologist to monitor the health of the nervous system in real time during surgery. This greatly reduces the risk of surgery-related nerve damage.
Intrathecal Pump Implant
An intrathecal pump relieves chronic pain. It uses small amounts of medicine applied directly to the intrathecal space (the area surrounding the spinal cord) to prevent pain signals from being perceived by the brain. Pump candidates include people for whom conservative treatments have failed and surgery is not likely to help.
Intrathecal Pump Implant (Medtronic)
An intrathecal pump relieves chronic pain. It uses small amounts of medicine applied directly to the intrathecal space (the area surrounding the spinal cord) to prevent pain signals from being perceived by the brain. Pump candidates include people for whom conservative treatments have failed and surgery is not likely to help.
Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
This minimally-invasive procedure repairs a vertebral compression fracture. It helps restore the spine’s natural shape. Some patients experience rapid pain relief after the procedure.
Laminectomy
This procedure relieves pressure on the nerve roots in the spine. It is most commonly performed to relieve the pain of stenosis. This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that is often caused by the formation of bony growths that can press against the nerve roots. The surgeon may treat one or more vertebrae.
Laminectomy (Cervical)
This procedure removes a section of bone from the rear of one or more vertebrae to relieve the painful and disabling pressure of stenosis.
Laminectomy (Cervical) with Fusion
This procedure removes a section of bone from the rear of one or more vertebrae to relieve the painful and disabling pressure of stenosis. The spine is then stabilized with rods and screws.
Lumbar Corpectomy
This procedure is performed to relieve the pain caused when diseased or damaged vertebrae bone blocks and pinches nerve roots. It also corrects spinal column deformities. During this procedure, the patient is positioned on his right side. The surgery is performed through the patient’s left side.
Lumbar Discoscopic Discectomy
This minimally-invasive procedure is designed to relieve pain caused by herniated discs pressing on nerve roots. This surgery is performed through a small tubular device under local or epidural anesthesia, allowing the patient to leave the hospital the same day.
Lumbar Inter-Body Fusion (IBF)
Designed to be a less invasive way to fuse the spine, IBF is generally used for the treatment of back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. When the procedure is performed from the front (anterior) of the spine, a minimally-invasive endoscopic technique may be used. The surgery in the following animation is performed through an anterior approach.
Lumbar Pedicle Screw Fixation (CD Horizon® Sextant®)
This minimally-invasive procedure uses special guides and fluoroscopic imaging to allow a surgeon to precisely implant stabilizing screws and rods in the spine while minimizing damage to muscles, tendons and other soft tissue in the back.
Microdiscectomy with Annuloplasty (Lumbar Spine, Percutaneous Approach)
This surgery, done through a tiny opening in your skin, treats a bulging or herniated disc in your lower back. It relieves pressure on nearby nerves. This can help with pain and other symptoms you may be experiencing in your back, buttock, leg and foot.
Minimally-Invasive TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
This minimally invasive procedure is used to remove a degenerated disc to relieve the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine. It is performed through a small incision on the back.
Occipito-Cervical Fixation (OC Fusion)
This surgical procedure aligns and stabilizes the cervical spine to correct instability at the junction of the spine and skull, which can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, spinal tumors, and spinal trauma.
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
This procedure fuses two of your vertebrae with implants and bone graft material. It stabilizes your spine. It can be used to treat pain caused by degenerative disc disease.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (Boston Scientific)
Spinal cord stimulation (also called SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms and legs. It is believed that electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. SCS candidates include people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (Medtronic)
Spinal cord stimulation (also called SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, ams and legs. It is believed that electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. SCS candidates include people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (Paddle Lead, Medtronic)
Spinal cord stimulation (also called SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms and legs. It is believed that electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. SCS candidates include people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
Spinal cord stimulation (also called SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms and legs. It is believed that electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. SCS candidates include people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.
Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
In many spinal surgeries, two or more vertebral bones are permanently joined with a technique called “spinal fusion.” A fusion creates a solid mass of bone. It stabilizes your spine.
TLIF: Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
TLIF is generally used to treat back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The surgeon will stabilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together with bone graft material.
Total Disc Replacement: Synthes® Prodisc-C
This surgical procedure replaces a damaged or diseased disc in the cervical spine with an artificial disc that restores the natural alignment of the spine. Unlike fusion surgery, which causes the vertebrae above and below the problem disc to grow together into a single bone, the artificial disc preserves spine motion at that level.
Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR)
This surgical procedure replaces a severely diseased or damaged vertebra with a device designed to restore the spine’s proper height and alignment. The patient’s pain is relieved by eliminating pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots in the thoracic or lumbar spine.
XLIF® Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Unlike traditional back surgery, XLIF® is performed through the patient’s side. By entering this way, major muscles of the back are avoided. This minimally-invasive procedure is generally used to treat leg or back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. It can be performed on an outpatient basis.