Our Specialties Include

• Spinal and Orthopaedic Surgery
• Brain / Neurosurgery
• Intracranial Disease Alternatives
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
• Pain Management Services
• Joint Replacement
• Gender Knee Replacements
• Artificial Disc Replacement
• Kyphoplasty
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Programs
• Sports Medicine Specialists

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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Spine Treatment for Slidell, Covington & Mandeville

There are various methods of treating low back pain including both nonsurgical and surgical techniques. Your doctor will work closely with you to isolate the source of your low back pain and recommend the course of treatment that is most appropriate for you.

In most cases, a nonsurgical treatment will be recommended. Treatments can range from exercise and behavior modification to medications that reduce pain or swelling such as epidural injections. While some patients may improve with nonsurgical treatments, others may try several treatments without success. In such cases, doctors may recommend a surgical treatment.

Fusion Techniques

There are several surgical techniques available for spine fusion. Traditional techniques approach the spine directly through open incisions, while newer, minimally invasive techniques approach the spine through small incisions. If you require spine fusion, the fusion techniques selected may depend on the treatment required for your particular case, individual anatomy, or on the preferences of your surgeon.

Traditional Spinal Fusion: ALIF

The ALIF procedure takes an anterior (from the front) approach to the spine through an incision in the abdomen. The procedure often requires two surgeons to perform. One general / vascular surgeon may provide access to the spine through the abdomen and ensure all major vessels are successfully retracted away from the surgical approach. The spine surgeon will then proceed to remove all, or a portion of, the damaged disc and replace it with a surgical implant and bone graft material. For additional stability, a second posterior (From the back) procedure may be performed to insert support rods and screws.

• Surgical time ranges from 3 to 8 hours
• Hospital stay ranges from 3 to 5 days
• Typically a 5-inch incision in the abdomen
• Some risk of muscle and tissue scarring
• The procedure does not preserve ligaments and tissues directly supporting the spine
• Risk reported in literature of vascular injury, nerve injury, incontinence, impotence, muscle and tissue scarring

Lateral Approach to Lumbar Fusion

The lateral approach is a newer technique that approaches the spine through a small incision in the patient’s side. It avoids the need to cut or remove muscles in the patient’s back to approach the disc space.

The procedure is less traumatic and can offer better recovery time than open spice procedures; however, the procedure is effective only in treating vertebrae that are easily accessed from the side.

• Less invasive than open spine procedures
• Can offer faster patient recovery
• Risk of transient numbness and prolonged thigh pain due to nerve retraction during surgery.

Spine Surgery Options : Balloon Kyphoplasty »