Approximately 15 percent of patients with back pain will require spine surgery. Individuals with true neurological deficit are identified early at the Spine Center to prevent more advanced neuropathology and chronic pain syndromes from setting in. Surgical interventions may be as simple as a discectomy or as complex as a multilevel fusion, but all patients who have surgery are expected to return to a high level of functioning. To facilitate this, the Spine Center utilizes specific post-surgical education, intensive physical therapy, pain management, and counseling to insure a greater chance of success.

The Level Three Surgical program emphasizes preoperative education to prepare individuals for postoperative challenges. By knowing what to expect, patients and their families can better anticipate the many physical and emotional obstacles they may encounter after surgery, allowing them to focus on their recovery. Patients know that the staff at the Spine Center prior to surgery; use our educational resources and meet with our staff to address any concerns or answer questions.

After surgery, patients are encouraged to return to the Spine Center for physical therapy and follow-up pain management. At the Spine Center we never think discharge. Rather, we believe that our patients graduate.

Lumbar Spine Fusion
The spine is made up of a series of bones called "vertebrae"; between each vertebra are strong connective tissues which hold one vertebra to the next, and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc allows for movements of the vertebrae and lets people bend and rotate their neck and back. The type and degree of motion varies between the different levels of the spine: cervical (neck), thoracic (chest) or lumbar (low back). Fusion is a surgical technique in which one or more of the vertebrae of the spine are united together ("fused") so that motion no longer occurs between them. The concept of fusion is similar to that of welding in industry. Spinal fusion surgery, however, does not weld the vertebrae during surgery. Rather, bone grafts are placed around the spine during surgery. The body then heals the grafts over several months - similar to healing a fracture - which joins, or "welds," the vertebrae together.

Cervical Spine Fusion
This neurosurgical procedure is performed to relieve the pressure on one or more nerve roots, or on the spinal cord. It involves the stabilization of two or more cervicalvertebrae by locking them together (fusing them). The fusion stops the vertebral motion and as a result, the pain is also stopped. The surgeon reaches the cervical spine through a small incision in theof the neck.After retracting neck muscles, the neurosurgeon 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. A bone graft is a plug of bone that allows the fusion of bone to happen. It is obtained from a bone bank, which collects, treats, and stores bone. This type of graft is referred to as allograft bone. The preformed bone plug is safe and will not be rejected by your body. It is acellular, meaning it contains no blood cells.

Laminectomy
A laminectomy is a neurosurgical procedure used to treat spinal stenosis, a degenerative condition in which the spinal canal becomes narrowed and creates pressure on the spinal cord. Stenosis occurs as people age and the ligaments of the spine thicken and harden. Bones and joints may also enlarge, and bone spurs (called osteophytes) may form. Bulging or herniated discs are also common. Spondylolisthesis (the slipping of one vertebra onto another) can also lead to compression. The goal of a laminectomy is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve by widening the spinal canal. This is done by removing or trimming the lamina (roof) of the vertebra to create more space for the nerves. A surgeon may perform a laminectomy with or without fusing vertebrae or removing part of a disc.