Neuroscience Specialists

• Bed Rest
• Physical Therapy
• Over-the-counter Medications
• Muscle Relaxants
• Referral to a pain management specialist

Removal of the posterior bone of the spinal canal, retraction of the nerves and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, followed by insertion of bone graft and sometimes hardware in order to fuse the bones. The procedure is called an “interbody fusion” because it is performed between the “bodies” of the vertebral bones and across the diseased disc space. This procedure is typically performed on both sides of the spine.

Removal of the degenerative disc by going through the lower abdomen. Bone graft material or a metal device filled with bone is then placed into the disc space.

Removal of the posterior bone of the spinal canal, retraction of the nerves, and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, followed by insertion of bone graft and sometimes hardware in order to fuse the bones. Similar to a PLIF, but frequently performed from only one side.

Placing bone on the back and side of the spine to achieve a fusion.

In an Interbody Spine Fusion, the bone graft is placed in between the vertebral bodies where the disc lies. The disc is removed and the endplates cleaned prior to placement of the graft which will allow the fusion to occur from one vertebral body to the other via the endplates. Utilizing the anterior and posterior approach, theoretically, affords the highest chances for a fusion.

Complications associated with spinal fusion are included, but are not limited to the following: death, heart attack, stroke, quadriplegia, ventilator dependence, loss of bowel and bladder function, nerve root injuries, spinal fluid leak, spinal cord stroke, need for lumbar drain, instrumentation failure, allergy or misplacement, failure to fuse, need for another surgery, infection, need for blood transfusion with the inherent risks of HIV, hepatitis, blindness, medical complications such as pulmonary embolism, systemic infection, bone growth at harvest site complications, pain, scar formation, failure to improve, etc.

The METRx System surgical procedure is a minimally invasive operation on the lumbar (low back) or cervical (neck) spine and requires only a very small incision. It allows the surgeon to remove only the portion of your ruptured disc, which is “pinching” the spinal nerve root. The patient is under anesthesia and a small incision is made over the disc space. The muscle is then dilated to avoid any unnecessary muscle damage. The ruptured disc is removed through the small tube and the wound is closed with sutures followed by a small bandage.

Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that can repair vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) caused by primary or secondary osteoporosis, cancer or benign lesions. Orthopedic balloons are used in an attempt to elevate the bone fragments of the fractured vertebra and return them to the correct position. Performed under local or general anesthesia, the procedure typically takes less than an hour and may require an overnight hospital stay.

For more information on Balloon Kyphoplasty, visit www.kyphon.com.

The Dynesys System was designed to relieve lower back and leg pain resulting from some of the most common conditions of the spine, including stenosis and spondylolisthesis. During the surgical procedure for fusion, a small device is attached to both sides of the affected vertebrae. The Dynesys device is comprised of titanium alloy screws and external spacers made of surgical polyurethane (flexible plastic tubing) surrounding a polyethylene (nylon-like) cord. Once in place in the spine, the dynamic push-pull relationship between the spacer and the cord stabilizes the affected joints, therefore stabilizing the spinal segments as an adjunct to fusion.

Benefits to the Dynesys System:
The Dynesys System was created to give spine surgeons another approach to traditional fusion. The result is a unique spinal implant with several important benefits. This System is designed to:

• Relieve pain
• Stabilize the affected joints as an adjunct to fusion
• Preserve much of the spinal anatomy (facets)
• Allow for a minimally invasive procedure

For more information on the Dynesys Stabilization System, visit www.zimmer.com.

Artificial Disc Replacement is designed to:

• Maintain motion in the spine at the area of implantation
• Maintain stability
• Restore proper disc height
• Restabilize alignment
• Decrease discogenic pain
• Inclusion Criteria:
  • Suffer from low back pain
  • Be between 18 and 60 years of age
  • Have a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease at a single level between L1 and S1
  • Have had at least six months of prior conservative treatment
• Exclusion Criteria:
  • Any previous back fusion surgery
  • Multiple levels of degenerative disc disease
  • Osteoporosis, osteopenia or other metabolic bone disease
  • Infection, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis or spinal tumor
  • History of chronic steroid use
  • Pregnancy or morbid obesity

• Bed Rest
• Physical Therapy
• Over-the-counter Medications
• Muscle Relaxants
• Referral to a pain management specialist

Removal of the posterior bone of the spinal canal, retraction of the nerves and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, followed by insertion of bone graft and sometimes hardware in order to fuse the bones. The procedure is called an “interbody fusion” because it is performed between the “bodies” of the vertebral bones and across the diseased disc space. This procedure is typically performed on both sides of the spine.

Removal of the degenerative disc by going through the lower abdomen. Bone graft material or a metal device filled with bone is then placed into the disc space.

Removal of the posterior bone of the spinal canal, retraction of the nerves, and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, followed by insertion of bone graft and sometimes hardware in order to fuse the bones. Similar to a PLIF, but frequently performed from only one side.

Placing bone on the back and side of the spine to achieve a fusion.

In an Interbody Spine Fusion, the bone graft is placed in between the vertebral bodies where the disc lies. The disc is removed and the endplates cleaned prior to placement of the graft which will allow the fusion to occur from one vertebral body to the other via the endplates. Utilizing the anterior and posterior approach, theoretically, affords the highest chances for a fusion.

Complications associated with spinal fusion are included, but are not limited to the following: death, heart attack, stroke, quadriplegia, ventilator dependence, loss of bowel and bladder function, nerve root injuries, spinal fluid leak, spinal cord stroke, need for lumbar drain, instrumentation failure, allergy or misplacement, failure to fuse, need for another surgery, infection, need for blood transfusion with the inherent risks of HIV, hepatitis, blindness, medical complications such as pulmonary embolism, systemic infection, bone growth at harvest site complications, pain, scar formation, failure to improve, etc.

The METRx System surgical procedure is a minimally invasive operation on the lumbar (low back) or cervical (neck) spine and requires only a very small incision. It allows the surgeon to remove only the portion of your ruptured disc, which is “pinching” the spinal nerve root. The patient is under anesthesia and a small incision is made over the disc space. The muscle is then dilated to avoid any unnecessary muscle damage. The ruptured disc is removed through the small tube and the wound is closed with sutures followed by a small bandage.

Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that can repair vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) caused by primary or secondary osteoporosis, cancer or benign lesions. Orthopedic balloons are used in an attempt to elevate the bone fragments of the fractured vertebra and return them to the correct position. Performed under local or general anesthesia, the procedure typically takes less than an hour and may require an overnight hospital stay.

For more information on Balloon Kyphoplasty, visit www.kyphon.com.

The Dynesys System was designed to relieve lower back and leg pain resulting from some of the most common conditions of the spine, including stenosis and spondylolisthesis. During the surgical procedure for fusion, a small device is attached to both sides of the affected vertebrae. The Dynesys device is comprised of titanium alloy screws and external spacers made of surgical polyurethane (flexible plastic tubing) surrounding a polyethylene (nylon-like) cord. Once in place in the spine, the dynamic push-pull relationship between the spacer and the cord stabilizes the affected joints, therefore stabilizing the spinal segments as an adjunct to fusion.

Benefits to the Dynesys System:
The Dynesys System was created to give spine surgeons another approach to traditional fusion. The result is a unique spinal implant with several important benefits. This System is designed to:

• Relieve pain
• Stabilize the affected joints as an adjunct to fusion
• Preserve much of the spinal anatomy (facets)
• Allow for a minimally invasive procedure

For more information on the Dynesys Stabilization System, visit www.zimmer.com.

Artificial Disc Replacement is designed to:

• Maintain motion in the spine at the area of implantation
• Maintain stability
• Restore proper disc height
• Restabilize alignment
• Decrease discogenic pain
• Inclusion Criteria:
  • Suffer from low back pain
  • Be between 18 and 60 years of age
  • Have a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease at a single level between L1 and S1
  • Have had at least six months of prior conservative treatment
• Exclusion Criteria:
  • Any previous back fusion surgery
  • Multiple levels of degenerative disc disease
  • Osteoporosis, osteopenia or other metabolic bone disease
  • Infection, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis or spinal tumor
  • History of chronic steroid use
  • Pregnancy or morbid obesity