Patient Education

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Spine Treatments

• Creating Success for our Patients
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS)
• New Surgical Imaging Systems
• Treatment Options
  • Neck (Cervical)
  • Lower Back (Lumbar)

Creating Success for our Patients

Many spine patients respond well to non-surgical treatment. However, some back and neck problems are best treated with surgery. The neurosurgeons at MNSC focus on treating spine conditions using the most minimally invasive procedures appropriate for each patient.

Once your individual treatment plan has been developed you will receive complete pre- and post-procedure care instructions to help you prepare for, and recuperate from your surgery. MNSC surgeons work closely with a full compliment of pain management and physical therapy professionals to help you maximize your outcomes and minimize your recovery time. 

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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS)

Advancements in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, and instrumentation are allowing surgeons to perform surgery of the spine through smaller incisions and with less traumatic approaches than those associated with traditional spinal surgical techniques. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS) is also referred to as minimal access spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, or laser spine surgery. All of these types of surgeries are called minimally invasive because they are preformed through one or more small incisions through which tubular retractors are inserted.

Benefits of minimally invasive back surgery include:

• smaller surgical incisions
• less soft tissue disruption and damage to spinal muscles
• less blood loss
• reduced risk of infection
• reduced scarring
• a reduction in post-operative pain
• a shortened hospital stay
• a faster recovery

Although not all conditions of the spine should be addressed using minimally invasive methods, for many cases these advances may prove to be of great benefit to patients.

Advanced MIS Technology - The Minimally Invasive Approach with the METRx MicroDiscectomy System

As specialists in minimally invasive spine surgery MNSC neurosurgeons utilize the METRx MicroDiscectomy System for a number of spine conditions.  The METRx System is composed of bayoneted surgical tools with various-sized metal tubes used to create and maintain openings to spinal elements. Fundamental to this system are specially designed metal tubes, called dilators, which progressively increase in diameter size. These dilators are inserted sequentially—smaller to larger—through the muscle to gradually separate, or split, and open the muscle to create an opening large enough for surgical tools to be used. The system’s retractor tubes maintain the opening while the surgeon uses specially designed surgical tools to reach and remove spinal elements that are causing pain.

No muscle fiber is cut, only separated. This unique muscle-splitting approach allows surgeons to access the spine with a posterior approach without cutting or removing muscle from the spine.

Procedure Indications

Disc herniation is the most common condition indicated for surgery with the METRx System. In addition, the METRx System can be used for a laminotomy (partial removal of the vertebra’s thin bony plate), medial facetectomy (removal of a facet joint), foraminotomy (enlarging of a foramina to allow nerve clearance) and nerve root retraction.

Who can Benefit

• Lumbar discectomy is the #1 procedure performed on the spine in the United States each year.
• About 250,000 Americans have surgery to relieve herniated discs annually.
• 70 percent to 80 percent of patients requiring herniated disc surgery are candidates for this procedure.

In terms of relief of symptoms related to unpinching the nerve root, surgical outcomes using the METRx System are comparable to open procedures. However, since the METRx System allows the surgeon to unpinch the root without cutting or stripping muscle, patients are offered several advantages in terms of post-operative pain, recovery period, rehabilitation and cosmetic results.

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New Surgical Imaging Systems

Combining minimally invasive techniques with advanced intra-operative computerized imaging technologies such, as the O-Arm® improves procedure times and patients outcomes. During surgery, the devise encircles the operating table and provides 3-dimensional images so surgeons can track alignment of the spine and placement of implant hardware. The O-Arm provides the ability to make adjustments at the time of surgery thus improving accuracy and patient outcomes.

MNSC neurosurgeons utilize O-Arm technology at Providence Medford Medical Center and Rogue Valley Medical Center.

View a video of how the O-Arm works.

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Treatment Options

Decisions regarding treatment for your back must be made carefully. In most instances, there is ample time to learn about your spinal condition so that you can make an educated decision about your care.

Neck (Cervical) 

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (ACDF)
• Cervical Disc Arthroplasty
• Cervical Corpectomy
• Cervical Foraminotomy
• Cervical Laminectomy
• Cervical Laminoplasty

Lower Back (Lumbar)

• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
• Balloon Kyphoplasty
• Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (DLIF)
• Lumbar Laminectomy
• Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy
• Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion
• Spinal Decompression
• Spinal Fusion
• Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
• X-Stop® Spacer

You are the only one who can decide to have spinal surgery. It is important that you take ownership of this decision, recognizing the limitations your particular physical condition places on the potential success of each of the treatment options. If you choose to have spine surgery, your physical condition and your mental attitude will play a role your body's ability to heal. You must approach your surgery with confidence, a positive attitude, and a thorough understanding of the anticipated outcome. You should have realistic goals and work steadily to achieve those goals.

The decision to have or not to have spinal surgery includes weighing the risks and benefits involved. You will make the final decision, so ask your spine surgeon questions about anything you do not understand. Since medical care is tailored to each person's needs and differences, not all information presented here will apply to your treatment or its outcome. Seek the advice of your physician and other members of the health care team for specific information about your medical condition.

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SPINE EDUCATION

Helpful information on Spine Anatomy, Spine Conditions, Treatment Options, and Glossary of Terms.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Our neurologists and neurosurgeons advise diagnostic centers and hospitals on the latest technical advancements.