When neurosurgeons or orthopedic spine surgeons diagnose patients with degenerative spine conditions, medical guidelines require treatment begin with conservative care prior to proceeding to a surgical solution. Conservative care start with medications, physical therapy, and may be advanced to epidural steroid injections. If these treatments are not successful and evidence of a structural abnormality correlates with where the patient is experiencing discomfort, then the surgeon will formulate a
As the most comprehensive care center for spine, brain, and nerve conditions in New Jersey, Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics features multiple award-winning providers, including board-certified neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons. A combination of compassionate and effective conservative care plus advanced technology allows these providers to use surgery to treat back pain successfully.
When Should a Person Seek Spine Surgery?
The doctors at the Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics follow a conservative mindset when deciding the best course of treatment for patients. They evaluate each case to determine the least invasive options. However, a more severe spinal injury or condition may require surgery.
While surgeons or pain management doctors can interpret a patient’s symptoms and either confirm or deny the patient’s radiographic images correlate with their symptoms, only the patient knows how much the back pain impacts their daily life. The following are some situations that may require surgery if not relieved by conservative means as well as some emergencies that conservative care will not cure:
- If experiencing muscle weakness in arms or legs – This may be considered an emergency surgical condition.
- If experiencing an injury that may cause the patient to lose function of an arm, leg, or both – no conservative care. This is considered an emergency surgical condition.
- Any cause that leads to the narrowing of an opening in the spinal column such as foraminal stenosis, spinal stenosis, sciatica, spondylosis, and bone spurs of the spine
- A spinal disc disorders such as a herniated disc, slipped disc, or bulging disc
- A spinal deformity including adult scoliosis or adolescent scoliosis
- A spinal column or spinal cord injury and fracture
- Adjacent segment spine disease after a prior surgery including failed or revision spine surgery
- The growth of one or more spinal tumors
- Neck or back injury after a motor vehicle accidents or work-related back injury
What Are the Types of Spine Surgery?
Once a patient attempts non-surgical treatment without success, a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon will formulate a surgical plan to provide maximum symptom relief. The specific surgery the physician recommends depends on the location of the primary affected area and the severity of the pain. Some of the most common types of back surgery the surgeons at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics perform include:
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Unlike open spine surgery, this procedure is generally safer, quicker, and features a speedier recovery. Minimally invasive spine surgery often utilizes tools to allow incisions sites to be no larger than one to two centimeters.
Laser Spine Surgery
This procedure uses laser technology to make a smaller incision, giving surgeons access to the spine. Laser spine surgery often results in less pain and fewer complications for the patient.
Fusion Surgery
Fusion surgery seeks to restore the spine to long lasting stability and functionality by fastening two or more vertebrae together. Surgeons promote the normal healing process of bones by adding grafting material and ultimately eliminate any danger to the spinal cord and pressure on previously pinched nerves.
Discectomy
In a discectomy, the surgeon removes a fragment of a herniated or slipped disc to reduce pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. The two main types of this procedure include a minimally invasive microdiscectomy and a discectomy depending on the size, location of the herniated discs, and the number of herniated discs.
Cervical Disc Replacement
Used to treat multiple types of cervical degenerative diseases, this procedure helps retain motion in the affected area and limits postoperative pain and recovery time. The neurosurgeons and spine surgeons at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics perform cervical disc replacement in as little as two hours returning the patient back to a full range of neck motion.
Decompression Treatment
Decompression treatment is a general term for surgeries that alleviate pressure on neural parts of the spine, such as any nerves or the spinal cord.
Laminectomy
A type of decompression surgery, the laminectomy involves removing a portion of the lamina to relieve pressure off the spinal cord or neighboring nerves. A laminectomy also is utilized to allow access to other sections of the spinal column, nerves, and spinal cord itself.
Robotic Surgery
Patients with spinal deformities, such as severe scoliosis, and those who experienced adverse effects from spine surgery may benefit from robotic surgery. This procedure uses a robotic arm and intraoperative imaging to facilitate a minimally-invasive procedure.
Trust the Spine Surgeons at CNSO
If neck or back pain is a problem for you, become part of the continually growing number of success stories at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics by visiting any one of the many convenient locations across northern NJ. The award-winning surgical, pain control, rehabilitation, and physical therapy team features providers educated at top institutions in the United States. These surgeons and physicians not only provide patients with personalized treatment plans but also educate them on their diagnoses and offer guidance on the path to better wellness. To learn more about conservative spine care, spine surgery, and treatment options, contact Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics today.
