Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to correct problems with the small bones in the spine (vertebrae). It is essentially a “welding” process. The basic idea is to fuse together two or more vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone. This is done to eliminate painful motion or to restore stability to the spine.

Minimally Invasive Lateral Lumbar Fusion

The minimally invasive lateral procedure for spinal fusion is performed through a small incision in your side rather than your back. This protects the muscles in the back from being cut during the surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may have many potential advantages when compared to traditional open spine surgery:

• Smaller incisions and smaller scars
• Less surgical blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain and pain medicine during recovery

The spine surgeons at Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery specialize in performing minimally invasive lateral lumbar fusion procedures.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is a spinal fusion procedure that fuses the front and back section of the spine through a posterior approach. A Transforaminal Interbody Lumbar Fusion treats spinal instability or weakness by permanently uniting bones of the lumbar (lower) spine. The goals of a TLIF are to decompress (remove the pressure from) the spinal cord and/or nerves, re-stabilize the spine, and prevent further movement and degeneration at the joints in question.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

A posterior lumbar interbody fusion, called a PLIF, is a surgery designed to stop the motion at the targeted segment of the spine.

A PLIF is done in the lumbar, or lower, spine. Most commonly it is performed on the L4-L5 or L5-S1 segment at the bottom of the lumbar spine.

This surgery may be done to treat lumbar degenerative disc disease, in which a degenerated disc becomes painful. It may also be done for a lumbar spondylolisthesis, in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it.

A PLIF starts with a three to six-inch long incision in the midline of the back.

The spine surgeons at Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery specialize in performing Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) procedures.

Vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure for stabilizing compression fractures in the spine. Bone cement is injected into back bones (vertebrae) that have cracked or broken, often because of osteoporosis. The cement hardens, stabilizing the fractures and supporting your spine.

Endoscopic discectomy, a common type of endoscopic spinal surgery, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove herniated disc material that is causing pain in the lower back and legs (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), or neck and arms (cervical).

The spine surgeons at Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery specialize in performing minimally invasive endoscopic disectomy procedures.

A Minimally Invasive Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy is a surgical procedure to relieve pain/weakness resulting from a pinched spinal nerve. The surgical procedure is designed to allow for more space for the spinal nerves to pass through reducing spinal nerve root compression.

Typically the patient is under general anesthesia. A small incision about an inch long is made over the treated area. The spine surgeon will use a tubular retractor to access the area, which contributes to keeping the operation minimally invasive. An endoscope is used along with special instruments to remove a small amount of bone to allow access to the nerve root. If the patient’s disc is causing compression of the nerve root, it is carefully lifted and the disc material is removed. This helps take pressure off the nerve root.

A posterior cervical foraminotomy can provide relief of nerve root compression causing pain in the patient with minimal bone removal. The wound is then carefully stitched closed and the patient can go home later that day.

The spine surgeons at Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery specialize in performing minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy procedures.

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Alleviate pain and restore degenerating discs with stem cell therapy from Central New York Brain and Spine Neurosurgery, a leader in central NY for spinal health.