What is spine surgery?
Spine surgery includes any procedure that treats injuries, diseases, or conditions that affect your spine. Your spine is a complex and delicate body part consisting of bones, joints, ligaments, and intervertebral discs that support the weight and mobility of your upper body, as well as protect your spinal cord. Because of the structure and function of your spine, any type of spine surgery requires great skill. On a mission to provide high-quality, state-of-the-art care to the people living in and around upper Cumberland County, Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute includes neurosurgeons who specialize in spine surgery.
When is spine surgery necessary?
The multi-specialty team at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute determines if you need spine surgery after a consultation. In most cases, they first take a conservative approach to care, treating your spine condition with medication and physical therapy, which they offer on-site. When conservative care fails to provide adequate relief from your neck or back pain, the team may suggest spine surgery. Some of the conditions they treat surgically include:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Compression fractures
- Degenerative disc disease
Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute also performs spine surgery to remove spine tumors.
What are the types of spine surgery?
The neurosurgeons at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute perform spine surgery on the neck and lower back. Types of spine surgery include:
Discectomy
During a discectomy, your neurosurgeon removes part or all of a bulging or herniated disc to relieve nerve compression.
Lumbar microdiscectomy
A lumbar microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which your neurosurgeon removes the portion of your herniated disc that’s compressing or irritating your spinal nerves.
Spinal fusion
During a spinal fusion, your neurosurgeon joins two or more vertebrae to immobilize the spine and alleviate pain.
Laminectomy
For spinal stenosis, the team may perform a laminectomy, which involves removing parts of the bone, bone spurs, or ligaments in your spine to make more room in the spinal canal to treat spinal stenosis.
Foraminotomy
During a foraminotomy, your neurosurgeon removes bone from the sides of your vertebrae to increase space where the nerve exits your spine.
Corpectomy
During a corpectomy, your neurosurgeon removes damaged vertebrae and discs to alleviate spinal cord and nerve compression.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that treats compression fractures. When possible, the surgical experts at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute perform minimally invasive spine surgery to reduce your post-surgical pain and recovery time. To schedule a spine surgery consultation at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute, call the office nearest you or request an appointment online today.
