Lumbar Spine Surgery

Superion Interspinous Spacer

mlepore — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:45:10 -0700

Interspinous Spacer Clinical Trial
An Investigational Device Designed To Treat Moderate Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

You May Be A Candidate

If you experience pain in your legs, buttock or groin when you stand or walk, you may suffer from a condition called lumbar spinal stenosis.

Comprehensive Spine Surgery Findings Highlight Postoperative Infection Rates

cmaynard — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:07:11 -0800

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Recovery After XLIF

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:37:02 -0700

As with any type of spinal fusion surgery, the recovery experience for an XLIF procedure varies from patient to patient.

With an XLIF procedure, the following recovery factors are typical:

XLIF Potential Risks and Complications

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:33:17 -0700

The eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) procedure, like any other surgical procedure, has certain potential risks and complications associated with it.

Possible risks and complications associated with the XLIF include but are not limited to:

Description of XLIF Surgery

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:29:27 -0700

View XLIF Video

There are a series of steps performed to complete an XLIF spinal fusion:

When XLIF is Not an Option

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:23:14 -0700

There are a few specific instances where the XLIF procedure could not be performed.

Instances in which a patient could not have an XLIF procedure would include:

When an XLIF Might be Performed

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:09:38 -0700

The XLIF procedure can be used for a variety of lumbar spinal disorders that may be treated with spinal fusion. These conditions may include:

Interbody Fusion - ALIF, PLIF and XLIF

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:04:20 -0700

Traditionally, there are a few ways to fuse the spine. One of these ways is known as interbody fusion. Interbody fusion is fusion of two vertebrae between the vertebral bodies (main trunk of the vertebra) in the anterior column (front part of the spine).

Minimally Invasive Spine Fusion

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:56:50 -0700

The XLIF procedure is what is termed a "minimally invasive" procedure. This means that instead of a traditional, larger single incision, the procedure is performed through one or more small incisions and an instrument known as a retractor is used to spread the tissues so that the surgeon can see the spine. This is made possible by the use of a dilator and retractor system, MaXcess®, developed by NuVasive®, Inc, in San Diego, CA. The system allows the surgeon to reach the spine via lateral access (from the side of the body).

XLIF: Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:41:45 -0700

Lumbar Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis

Ben Parr — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:06:25 -0800

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment and Surgery

Ben Parr — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:15:38 -0800

Suffering from Spinal Stenosis?

Visit the Spinal Stenosis Clinical Trials section for the latest developments.

Once a doctor has made a conclusive diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis, non-surgical or surgical treatment should be implemented, depending on the severity of the spinal stenosis.

Laminectomy and Spinal Stenosis: Success Rates

Ben Parr — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:02:02 -0700

Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Ben Parr — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:43:26 -0700

Microdiscectomy Spine Surgery: Risks, Complications, and Success Rates

Ben Parr — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:59:30 -0700

Usually, a microdiscectomy is performed on an outpatient basis (with no overnight stay in the hospital) or with one overnight in the hospital. Post-operatively, patients may return to a normal level of daily activity quickly.

Spine Fusion Instrumentation

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:19 -0800

The role of spine fusion instrumentation is to provide additional spinal stability while helping the fusion set up.

Various forms of instrumentation (medical devices) have been developed with the goal of improving the rates of successful spinal fusion. Because bone tends to fuse more effectively in an environment where there is little motion, instrumentation helps the fusion set up by limiting the motion at the fused segment.

Lumbar Spine Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Two general types of lumbar spine surgery comprise the most common surgical procedures for the lower back: decompression and spinal fusion.

Decompression surgery involves removing a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to relieve pinching of the nerve and provide more room for the nerve to heal (a microdiscectomy or laminectomy).
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Lumbar Laminectomy (Open Decompression)

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

A lumbar laminectomy is also known as an open decompression and typically performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement that can result from lumbar spinal stenosis.

Microdiscectomy (Microdecompression) Spine Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

In a microdiscectomy or microdecompression spine surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to relieve neural impingement and provide more room for the nerve to heal.

A microdiscectomy is typically performed for a herniated lumbar disc and is actually more effective for treating leg pain (also known as radiculopathy) than lower back pain.

Lumbar Decompression Back Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Decompression is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by pinched nerves (neural impingement). During a lumbar decompression back surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment.

There are two common types of spine surgery decompression procedures: microdiscectomy (or microdecompression) or a lumbar laminectomy (or open decompression).

Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: Chiropractor Viewpoint

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:16 -0800

Postoperative Care for Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:15 -0800

Recovering from lumbar microdiscectomy surgery

The lumbar microdiscectomy surgery—to alleviate sciatica, or pain along the sciatic nerve, caused by a disc herniation—has significantly improved in recent years (e.g. a shorter recovery period, less pain, and higher success rates). While different spine surgeons will recommend somewhat different approaches to postoperative care after this type of back surgery, there are several general facets of postoperative recovery that can be expected.

Lumbar Decompression Back Surgery Considerations

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:13 -0800

Potential Risks of Surgery for a Degenerated Disc

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:12 -0800

Patients who have not found pain relief through conservative care and have suffered diminution in their quality of life and ability to function because of a symptomatic degenerated disc should educate themselves and discuss the benefits and risks of each type of surgery with their physician. When possible, obtaining a second opinion from a similarly-credentialed surgeon may be useful to get as comprehensive a perspective as possible on what surgery entails, and to confirm that non-surgical approaches have been exhausted, leaving surgery as the next appropriate step.

Leg Pain and Numbness from Spinal Stenosis - Patients' Advice: Part II

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

Back-to-Back

Patients share insights on the treatment choices they have chosen for spinal stenosis.

Surgery results vary with choice of surgeon

Husband had same-day minimally invasive surgery. Prior to the surgery he could not walk 100 feet w/o sitting. No pain now, plus diabetic peripheral foot pain is gone. After almost 2 years, 6 Rehabs, exercise, I still can't stand erect. Had little pain prior or post surgery. Can stand erect momentarily only before effort makes me slump.
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Surgical Treatments for a Lumbar Herniated Disk

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:50 -0800

The goal of surgery for a lumbar herniated disk is to remove the portion of the disk that is impinging on the nerve root (usually about 5% to 10% of the disk).