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The cervical fusion procedure is performed to relieve the pressure on one or more nerve roots on the spinal cord. It involves the stabilization of two or more vertebrae by locking them together (fusing them). The fusion stops the vertebral motion and as a result, the pain is also stopped.

Through an anterior approach, Dr. K reaches the cervical spine through a small incision in the front of the neck, usually within a skin fold line under the chin. After retracting neck muscles, Dr. K uses an operating microscope and removes the affected intervertebral disk, which takes the pressure off the nerves or spinal cord. This is called decompression. He then replaces it with a bone graft that will fuse the vertebrae together over time.

Lumbar artificial disc replacement surgery may be recommended to treat chronic, severe low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. Similar to cervical-ADR, this procedure consists of replacing the painful spinal disc with a device designed to mimic the disc’s natural movement, a prosthesis that is located lower in the back. The goal of artificial disc replacement is to alleviate pain by reducing aggravating micro-motion, stabilizing the spinal segment, and minimizing inflammation.

At each level of the spine, there is a disc space in the front and paired facet joints in the back. Back pain may result when injury or degenerative changes allow abnormal movement of the vertebrae to rub against one another, known as an unstable motion segment.

Similar to cervical fusion, lumbar fusion involves the stabilization of two or more vertebrae by locking them together or fusing them. Fusing the bones together stabilizes and aligns the spine, restores the normal disc space between the bones, and prevents further damage to the spinal nerves and cord.

Microdiscectomy, also known as microdecompression, is one of the most common minimally invasive spine surgery procedures. The main goal of microdiscectomy is to take the pressure off your nerves to relieve your back pain.

Microdiscectomies can be performed using 4 main techniques:

• Open: Dr. K makes a relatively large incision, including cutting some of your back muscles, so that he can see your spine. He then removes the part of the disc causing pressure on the affected nerve.
• Mini-open: This is similar to an open discectomy, but Dr. K uses advanced technology to view your spine through smaller incisions.
• Tubular: Dr. K inserts a tube through a small incision. This tube is gently pushed through your back muscles until it reaches your spine, and then a series of expanding tubes are inserted, one around the other. These tubes gradually open up the area where the surgery will be done. Dr. K then uses specially-designed instruments to remove part of your disc through this tube.
• Endoscopic: This involves inserting a tiny video camera through a tube to enable Dr. K to see your spine and remove disc material with miniaturized instruments.

Laminectomy is a type of surgery in which Dr. K removes part or all of the vertebral bone (lamina). This helps ease pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots that may be caused by injury, herniated disk, narrowing of the canal, or tumors. A laminectomy is considered only after other medical treatments have not worked.

During the procedure, Dr. K will make an incision directly over the affected vertebra. Muscles around the section will be spread apart and Dr. K will then remove the bony arch of the posterior part of the vertebra to ease pressure on the nerves in the area. This may involve removing bone spurs or growth, or removing all or part of a disk.

Spinal cord stimulation is used most often after nonsurgical pain treatment options have failed to provide sufficient relief.

These stimulators consist of thin wires and a small, pacemaker-like battery pack (generator). The wires are placed between the spinal cord and the vertebrae, and the generator is placed under the skin, usually near the buttocks or abdomen. Spinal cord stimulators allow patients to send the electrical impulses using a remote control when they feel pain. Both the remote control and its antenna are outside the body.