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Spinecare Topics
Options for Spine Treatments
Advancements in Spine Care and Spine Surgery
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Advancements in Spine Care and Spine Surgery
It is possible in the future that genetically engineered cells may be surgically implanted or injected into the degenerative disc thus promoting some degree of regeneration or recovery. A similar process has been somewhat successful in reproducing knee cartilage therefore the possibility of a similar response in the spine is feasible.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Currently, one of the major directives in spine surgery today is to develop more conservative and minimally invasive procedures. By definition, minimally invasive spine surgery utilizes a small skin incision to minimize the damaging effects of large muscle retraction. The goal is to create the least amount of tissue damage for the greatest amount of recovery. Microsurgical techniques promote rapid recovery, reduce the likelihood of post-operative pain, reduce fibrosis (scarring) and to also minimize the external entry scar.
Minimally invasive techniques require the power of computer-assisted image guidance and navigation to provide the spine surgeon with the opportunity to view the spine through a small incision in the skin. A special type of X-ray machine called a fluoroscope may be integrated with computer technology to enhance surgical navigation. This is sometimes referred to as “virtual fluoroscopy�. The use of a smaller diameter cannula or flexible cannula equipped with a laparoscope and surgical laser are the standard techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a procedure used to stabilize the vertebral body following loss of vertical height. The procedure is considered for individuals who have suffered a collapse of a vertebral body due to fracture, tumor infiltration, or collapse secondary to osteoporosis, a condition associated with thinning of the bone. Vertebroplasty is a less invasive procedure than spine surgery that requires the injection of a cement-like substance (bone mineral substitute) into a potentially unstable or collapsing vertebral body. The procedure is used to strengthen or reinforce bone, to help alleviate chronic back pain and to help prevent further vertebral collapse. The procedure may also help maintain normal curves of the spine by stabilizing individual vertebrae. The cement-like material stabilizes and strengthens compromised bone.
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that usually provides some pain relief and increased mobility. After a few weeks, the majority of patients may realize a significant decrease in their doses of pain medications. Some patients become symptom free after vertebroplasty. Vertebroplasty cannot correct abnormal curvature of the spine caused by long-standing osteoporosis at multiple spinal segments. The procedure only stabilizes the fractured vertebra. Vertebroplasty does not prevent future compression fractures of vertebral bodies at other levels.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Currently, one of the major directives in spine surgery today is to develop more conservative and minimally invasive procedures. By definition, minimally invasive spine surgery utilizes a small skin incision to minimize the damaging effects of large muscle retraction. The goal is to create the least amount of tissue damage for the greatest amount of recovery. Microsurgical techniques promote rapid recovery, reduce the likelihood of post-operative pain, reduce fibrosis (scarring) and to also minimize the external entry scar.
Minimally invasive techniques require the power of computer-assisted image guidance and navigation to provide the spine surgeon with the opportunity to view the spine through a small incision in the skin. A special type of X-ray machine called a fluoroscope may be integrated with computer technology to enhance surgical navigation. This is sometimes referred to as “virtual fluoroscopy�. The use of a smaller diameter cannula or flexible cannula equipped with a laparoscope and surgical laser are the standard techniques for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a procedure used to stabilize the vertebral body following loss of vertical height. The procedure is considered for individuals who have suffered a collapse of a vertebral body due to fracture, tumor infiltration, or collapse secondary to osteoporosis, a condition associated with thinning of the bone. Vertebroplasty is a less invasive procedure than spine surgery that requires the injection of a cement-like substance (bone mineral substitute) into a potentially unstable or collapsing vertebral body. The procedure is used to strengthen or reinforce bone, to help alleviate chronic back pain and to help prevent further vertebral collapse. The procedure may also help maintain normal curves of the spine by stabilizing individual vertebrae. The cement-like material stabilizes and strengthens compromised bone.
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that usually provides some pain relief and increased mobility. After a few weeks, the majority of patients may realize a significant decrease in their doses of pain medications. Some patients become symptom free after vertebroplasty. Vertebroplasty cannot correct abnormal curvature of the spine caused by long-standing osteoporosis at multiple spinal segments. The procedure only stabilizes the fractured vertebra. Vertebroplasty does not prevent future compression fractures of vertebral bodies at other levels.
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