Spine

Spine Anatomy

The spine, also called the backbone, is made up of vertebral bones with cushioning intervertebral discs between them. The spine is designed to give us stability and smooth movement, as well as providing a corridor of protection for the delicate spinal cord. It is supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments, and innervated by nerves that branch out from the centrally placed spinal cord.

Conditions

• Spinal Instability
• Disc Herniation
• Kyphosis
• Spinal Stenosis
• Cervical Myelopathy
• Radiculopathy
• Spondylolisthesis
• Scoliosis

Procedures

• Spinal Fusion
• Spinal Decompression
• Disc Arthroplasty
• Microdiscectomy
• Spine Surgery
• Lumbar Procedures
• Cervical Procedures

Minimally-invasive surgery: A paradigm shift

With advances in technology and approaches, modern spinal surgery is nothing like the way things were done 10 or 15 years ago. Advanced techniques and technologies have enabled us to perform complex operations with smaller incisions, less muscle dissection, and shorter operative times, with faster recovery and quicker return to activities. Often, inpatient hospitalization is no longer necessary, with patients going home the same day after the procedure. But technology alone is not enough. A dedicated, cohesive team of experts, from nurses and anesthesiologists, to peri-operative physicians and surgeons, is what makes it all possible. Get to know our team and learn the difference that a world-class team of experts can offer.

Motion preserving surgery

Traditionally, surgical treatment of a disc herniation in the cervical spine has included a fusion procedure, where the offending disc is removed in its entirety, and the vertebrae above and below are fused together using donor bone. A fusion operation will, inevitably, reduce spinal range of motion, and, by putting higher demand on the other discs, can predispose them to earlier wear and possible need for further surgery down the line. Motion-preserving surgery, in the form of a disc replacement, might lead to less stiffness and less problems with subsequent adjacent disc degeneration. A motion-preserving disc replacement is not indicated for every case, however, due to technical considerations. We carefully review each individual case and make a decision together with you to find the best solution that gets you pain-free and moving again. 

Complex revision spine surgery

When spinal surgery does not deliver its intended outcome, sometimes a revision operation becomes necessary. Complex revision spinal surgery starts weeks to months before the actual operation, with a detailed expert consultation, a comprehensive work-up, attention to detail, and a customized plan. The problems need to be clearly defined, and a plan needs to be put together that addresses the problems safely and meets your needs and goals effectively. This is only possible with a team of experts that includes surgeons, radiologists, nurses and physical therapists. And that is the team we have assembled. Visit us for a second opinion.

Robotic spine surgery

While robots have been used in other surgical specialties such as general surgery and urology, their use in the field of spinal surgery is relatively recent. In spinal surgery, robots are usually used to place pedicle screws in the lumbar spine. The preoperative (or intraoperative) CT scan of the spine is uploaded to the robot, and the path of the screws is planned by the surgeon on the software that controls the robot. The robot then assists the surgeon in reproducing the exact preoperative plan during the surgery by “pointing to” the anatomic trajectory that was dictated by the surgeon. It is important to remember that while the robot is assisting the surgeon in the procedure, the surgeon maintains complete control over every aspect of what is performed, and can make any necessary changes as the need arises. The use of a robot in this way allows for truly minimally-invasive surgery where soft tissue dissection is minimized, accuracy and safety is enhanced, and efficiency is improved.