Spine Conditions

When certain discs in the neck (cervical spine) develop arthritis, the discs, ligaments and/or joints may place pressure on the surrounding nerve tissues and can cause pain, numbness, weakness or even paralysis. If conservative measures of treatment do not work (physical therapy, injections, and/or medications) then your neurosurgeon may recommend a surgery to remove the damaged disc or disc fragment In certain cases, patients are offered surgery without conservative treatment upfront.

removing the pressure on your spinal cord and/or nerves, an ACDF may provide pain relief as well as prevent further deterioration of the spine or longstanding neurological deficits. Depending on your symptoms and their underlying cause, your surgeon also may suggest an artificial disc replacement. Not all patients are candidates for artificial discs.

It is important to remember regarding any spine condition that surgery may not improve any/all symptoms and surgery is intended to treat what is causing your specific complaints, not necessary treat all the arthritis in your spine.

If spine pain is caused by degeneration of discs in your cervical (neck) or lumbar spine (lower back), your surgeon may recommend artificial disc replacement. In this procedure, the damaged disc is carefully removed from between two vertebrae and an artificial prosthetic is put in its place. This helps with motion preservation and can help limit the need for further surgery in the future.

Currently artificial discs are approved for up to two levels in the neck and only one level in the low back. There are specific criteria our surgeons follow to determine who may be a candidate for artificial disc replacement.

Sometimes following spine surgery, spinal revision surgery is required. This can happen in the neck and back alike. Our surgeons are able to evaluate the need for spinal revision surgery on a case by case basis. Usually you will need a CT scan as well as an MRI when evaluating whether or not additional surgery is warranted. Our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group Neurosurgery are well versed in the most cutting edge advancements on treating the spine.

Lumbar fusion may treat certain conditions causing chronic low back pain or leg symptoms. This surgery is designed to permanently fuse or “join”, two or more spinal vertebrae together to restrict movement using bone grafts or metal rods or plates.

There are specific criteria our surgeons follow to determine who may be a candidate for Lumbar fusion.

Your surgeon will provide you with the best recommendations on whether or not a fusion is indicated using up to date evidenced based practices.

Decompression surgery is used to treat compressed nerves in the neck (cervical) or lower (lumbar) spine. Many times pain, with or without associated numbness/weakness/tingling can be secondary to compressed or “crowded” nerves. Surgically relieving the pressure on the neural elements can provide relief. Often we try conservative options first. Sometimes spinal decompression can occur without fusion, but sometimes fusion is recommended. Your surgeon will discuss whether or not fusion would be needed.

Kyphoplasty is a procedure used to treat fractures or breaks in the vertebrae. The vertebrae are the bones in your back that are stacked on top of each other to make your spine. Your spine supports your weight, allows you to move, and protects your spinal cord and the nerves. Treating “compression fractures” in the spine can decrease pain associated with the fracture as well as help restore the natural alignment of the spine and prevent further deformities associated with fractures.

As in most other parts of the body, tumors can arise in and around the spine. As such, they can cause pain, numbness/weakness/tingling or even paralysis in some cases.

Using information regarding your symptoms in combination with advanced imaging of the spine (CT/MRI), your surgeon will advise you on the best management of such tumors.

While many spinal tumors can be observed for changes or growth, some do require surgical resection. Our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group Neurosurgery can manage all spinal tumors using up-to-date evidence based medicine.

Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine. Sometimes people are born with scoliosis (congenital scoliosis) and scoliosis can also develop over time (degenerative scoliosis). These conditions can cause pain and neurological disturbances.

Both conditions can also be treated by our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Neurosurgery. Our surgeons would be happy to see you and render an opinion on what is the best management to treat your condition specifically.

Spinal Cord Stimulation is a way to manage various types of pain. A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that uses electricity to block pain signals from reaching your brain.

In most cases, your pain doctor will trial “leads” to see if it is indeed an effective treatment for your condition. Your neuropsychiatrist will also help determine if you are a candidate.

If a permanent, implantable device is deemed necessary, our surgeons at SCL Health Medical Group - Lutheran Neurosurgery are trained to place these devices, remove them and adjust them as fit for your particular condition.