What conditions usually require spine surgery?
While the board-certified surgeons at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, don’t usually recommend spine surgery as a first-line approach to treating back pain, some conditions may require surgical interventions. The team may recommend spinal surgery to address issues that include:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis
- Compression fractures
- Arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Nerve problems
Your provider may recommend spine surgery if you have persistent pain that doesn’t subside with other treatments and disrupts your life.
What are the available spine surgeries?
The team at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, performs a comprehensive range of spinal surgeries, including:
Laminectomy
The lamina is the back part of a vertebra. During a laminectomy, your surgeon removes part of the lamina to create space in your spinal canal to relieve nerve compression.
Discectomies and microdiscectomies
Your surgeon removes damaged spinal discs in part or whole during this procedure. It releases nerve compression and related symptoms.
Disc replacement
Your surgeon may replace a damaged disc with prosthetic devices to cushion your vertebrae. This procedure is an alternative to spinal fusion.
Spinal fusion
During spinal fusion, your surgeon grafts two or more vertebrae together. They may use metal pins as well as a graft to secure your spine and restore your stability. The surgeons offer cervical (neck) fusion, lumbar (lower back) fusion, and extreme lateral interbody fusion procedures.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are procedures to restore vertebrae damaged by compression fractures. During the procedure, your surgeon fills the damaged vertebra with surgical cement to restore its strength and stability.
The difference between the procedures is that during kyphoplasty, your surgeon inflates a surgical balloon inside the damaged vertebra to restore its shape before filling it with cement.
Spinal cord stimulator implantation
The team also performs spinal cord stimulator implantation. A spinal cord stimulator sends a mild electrical current to your spine to stop pain signals from traveling to your brain.
Your surgeon places a wire in your spine, implants the device under the skin of your lower back, and creates a small tunnel for the wire to extend from the generator to your spine.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?
Lumbar and cervical surgeries can now be performed using minimally invasive procedures.
The surgery is performed through a few very small incisions, which significantly reduces recovery time. Dr. Klein uses an endoscope, which holds a camera and lighting, that allows easy entry through the incisions. The muscles are gently pushed aside and return to their normal position after surgery.
The results are less pain and bleeding during surgery, lower risk of infection, minimal scarring, and faster recovery.
How do I know if spine surgery is right for me?
Your orthopedic surgeon provides thorough consultations and exams to identify the best treatments to relieve your pain and restore your spinal health. If you have chronic back pain that lessens your overall wellness, talk to your provider about spinal surgery and whether it’s right for you.
