Neck & Back

Lumbar spinal fusion is an operation that causes the bones of the spine in the lower back to grow together. The goal of the lumbar fusion is to have the two vertebrae fuse (grow solidly together) so that there is no longer any motion between them. Removing the intervertebral disc or bone spurs can reduce some of the pressure on the nerves, helping to reduce the pain. Additionally, by fusing the two vertebrae together this will stop the formation of bone spurs at that location, further reducing pain and potential nerve injury. There are many different specific techniques to try to fuse the vertebrae together. the surgery can be performed either through an incision in the back, the abdomen, or a combination of both.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion is a procedure used to treat problems such as disc degeneration, spine instability and deformities in the curve of the spine. In this procedure, the surgeon works on the spine from the front (anterior) and removes a spinal disc in the lower (lumbar) spine. The surgeon inserts a bone graft into the space between the two vertebrae where the disc was removed (the interbody space). The goal of the procedure is to stimulate the vertebrae to grow together into one solid bone (known as fusion). Fusion creates a rigid and immovable column of bone in the problem section of the spine.

A posterior lumbar fusion is a surgical procedure that joins two or more vertebrae together into one solid bone. The procedure is called a posterior fusion because the surgeon works on the back, or posterior, of the spine. Posterior fusion procedures in the lumbar spine are used to treat spine instability, severe degenerative disc disease and fractures in the lumbar spine.

Lumbar discectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of a problem disc in the low back. The discs are the pads that separate the vertebrae. This procedure is commonly used when a herniated, or ruptured, disc in the low back is putting pressure on a nerve root.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck area of the spine. The incision is made in the front of the spine through the throat area. After the disc is removed, a bone graft is inserted to fuse together the bones above and below the disc spaces. your doctor may recommend a discectomy if physical therapy or medications fail to relieve your neck or arm pain cause by pressure on the spinal nerves.

Laminectomy is surgery to remove the lamina. This is part of the bone that makes up a vertebra in the spine. Laminectomy may also be done to remove bone spurs in your spine. The procedure can take pressure off your spinal nerves or spinal cord.

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure that can help relieve neck, arm, back and leg pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves. ESI may be performed to relieve pain caused by spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, or disc herniation. Medicines are delivered to the spinal nerve through the epidural space, the area between the protective covering of the spinal cord and vertebrae.

Trigger point injections are used to relieve extremely painful areas of muscle. Trigger points are very tight bands or small areas of a muscle that are very sensitive to touch and pressure. The trigger point can irritate surrounding nerves and cause referred pain. Referred pain is a type of pain that radiates to nearby areas. Traumatic injury, overexertion, muscle tension, muscle spasms, pinched spinal nerves, and hormonal deficiencies are common causes of trigger points. Trigger point injections are used to treat involved muscles in many areas of the body. The neck, back and shoulders are particularly common areas injected.

Facet injects are non-surgical treatments to relieve pain and inflammation f the facet joints in the spine. Face joints are located on the top and bottom of each vertebra. Face joints connect the vertebrae to form the spine and allow back motion. Face injections target pain coming from the facet joints. The treatments can help relieve pain in your neck, low back, and legs.

Face pain and inflammation can be caused by spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, sciatica, arthritis, and herniated disc. You may be a candidate for facet injections if you have spine-related pain that is not relieved by conservative treatments. Face injection treatments involve injecting the facet joint capsule or surrounding tissue with corticosteroid and anesthetic medication. Face injections can also be used for diagnostic purposes to determine if the cause of your pain is actually coming from your facet joint.

A herniated disc, also called a "ruptured" disc, is a common source of neck or lower back pain. Discs are cushion-like pads that are located between the series of small bones that make up the spine. A herniated disc occurs when the outer disc can cause pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. Fortunately, for the vast majority of people, pain related to a herniated disc can be relieved without surgery.

Spinal stenosis is a condition that can cause lower back, buttock and leg pain. The majority of people with spinal stenosis find symptom relief and improved function with pain management, including medications, therapy and back bracing for support. Epidural steroid injections place relieving and anti-inflammatory medication directly at the source of the pain.

Pain management is helpful for many people. However, pain management treatments cannot correct structural changes and narrowing in the spine For a certain percentage of people with spinal stenosis, surgery may be necessary.

Degenerative Disk Disease is a condition that causes the intervertebral discs in the spine to deteriorate or break down. Intervertebral discs are the shock-absorbing pads located between your vertebrae. The vertebrae are the series of bones that make up your spine.

Degenerative Disc Disease can occur in any part of the spine. It develops more frequently in the lower back. Aging can cause the discs to lose fluid, collapse and sometimes rupture. This decreases the space between the vertebrae, which is why some people become shorter as they age. As the disc deteriorates, it affects the structure of the vertebrae. These changes can lead to conditions that put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Most symptoms of pain can be treated non-surgically. However, surgery is recommended if the spine is unstable or when pain cannot be relieved by other means.

The sciatic nerve extends from your lower back down to your feet. If the sciatic nerve or its origins are compressed, a painful condition called sciatica can result. Symptoms of sciatica include shooting pain, tingling, weakness and numbness that may travel from the lower back through the back of one leg and into your foot.

Trauma, spinal conditions or medical conditions that irritate the sciatic nerve cause sciatica. The majority of people with sciatic experience relief with non-surgical treatments. However, those with spinal conditions can benefit from surgery that eliminates the pressure on the sciatic nerve if other treatments fail.

Small bones, called vertebrae, align to form the spine in your back. A healthy spine supports the body, while allowing movement. Spondylolisthesis occurs when age or injury cause a vertebrae in the lower back to slip forward and change position.

Spondylolisthesis may not cause symptoms, but spondylolisthesis can cause back or leg pain. The majority of people with symptomatic spondylolisthesis are treated successfully with pain management and restoring function.

*Spondylolisthesis is a term to describe a stress fracture that occurs in the vertebrae or lower spine. Vertebrae are the series of bones tat make up your spine. Spondylolisthesis can result from excessive and repetitive force during some sports.

Spondylolisthesis may not cause symptoms. It can cause pain that spreads throughout the lower back. Rest and back bracing can prove symptom relief. Spinal fusion surgery may be necessary if non-surgical treatments are ineffective or if your condition gets worse.