Micro Lumbar Discectomy

A lumbar microdiscectomy surgery is performed to remove the portion of a herniated disc that is irritating or inflaming the nerve root. A microdiscectomy is performed through a small incision in the midline of the low back.

First, the back muscles, called erector spinae, are lifted off the bony arch, called the lamina, of the spine. Since these back muscles run vertically, they can be moved out of the way rather than cut.

Then we can enter the spine by removing a membrane over the nerve roots. This membrane is called the ligamentum flavum. Often, a small portion of the inside facet joint is removed both to facilitate access to the nerve root and to relieve pressure over the nerve. The nerve root is then gently moved to the side and the disc material is removed from under the nerve root. Only the herniated portion of the disc is removed; the healthy portion of the disc is left intact.

TLIF

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) back Surgery is a surgical technique to stabilize the spinal vertebra and the disc or shock absorber between the vertebra. This procedure is designed to create solid bone between the adjoining vertebra, eliminating any movement between the bones. The goal of the surgery is to reduce pain and nerve irritation.

Spinal fusion may be recommended for conditions such as spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease or recurrent disc herniations.

Decompression

Spinal decompression surgery is a general term that refers to various procedures intended to relieve symptoms caused by pressure, or compression, on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Bulging or collapsed disks, thickened joints, loosened ligaments, and bony growths can narrow the spinal canal and the spinal nerve openings (foramen), causing irritation.

Some of the common techniques used for decompression procedure include

• Diskectomy
• Laminectomy
• Foraminotomy
• Corpectomy
• Osteophyte removal

Corpectomy & Fusion

This procedure is similar to discectomy, except a larger and more vertical incision in the neck will be required to allow more exposure so that the entire vertebra can be removed. In some cases, both disc and bone may be pressing on the spinal cord and a combination of discectomy and corpectomy may be performed. Once the vertebra, disc(s), bone spurs and disc fragments are removed, a spinal fusion is required to stabilize the spine. Spinal fusion is essentially a “welding” process. The basic idea is to fuse together spinal bones (vertebrae) so that they heal into a single, solid bone.

In addition to bone grafts, metal plates and screws are commonly used to fuse the bones in place. Fusion will take away some spinal flexibility. The degree of limitation depends upon how many spine segments or “levels” are involved.

Cervical Disc Excision & fusion

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of neck surgery that involves removing a damaged disc to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling.

The surgery is approached through the anterior, or front, of the cervical spine (neck). The disc is then removed from between two vertebral bones. A fusion surgery is done at the same time as the discectomy operation to stabilize the cervical segment. A fusion involves placing bone graft and/or implants where the disc originally was to provide stability and strength to the area.

Deformity Correction for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a spinal deformity where an abnormal curvature in the back is present. Often, this type of deformity will be a curvature to the right or left and sometimes will include a rotational aspect of the spine. This type of deformity occurs in adults and adolescents. In certain patient scenarios, scoliosis reconstructive surgery is discussed to help improve symptoms of pain, numbness, or tingling. In other scenarios this type of deformity correction is discussed after the scoliosis has progressed to a certain degree with the goal to halt any further progression of this abnormal curvature.

Scoliosis and deformity corrective surgeries help to realign the spine in patients with abnormal curvatures.