Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) A Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is an effective procedure for replacing a damaged disc. Spine surgeons use this procedure to restore structural integrity to the vertebrae of the lumbar spine. During a TLIF, your surgeon will make a series of incisions to access the…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator? Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment method that doctors use for patients with chronic pain symptoms. For SCS, doctors insert a pulse generator into the body that emits electrical signals to the spinal cord. Essentially, the device functions very similarly to a pacemaker for the spine.…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) What is an SI Joint Fusion? An SI Joint Fusion is used to eliminate the pain of sacroiliac joint dysfunction when less invasive methods, like joint injections, fail to provide relief. Most cases of SI joint dysfunction will resolve on their own after six weeks of physical therapy or conservative treatment. However, for more…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Scoliosis Bracing: Overview, Advantages, & Eligibility Criteria Believe it or not, orthopedists have used bracing to treat scoliosis for millennia. In fact, we can trace evidence of scoliosis bracing—although rudimentary in design—to Hippocrates in the 5th Century B.C. Yes, that’s B.C.! Needless to say, the long history of…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Revision Spine Surgery: Overview, Advantages, & Eligibility Criteria Not all surgeons or surgical techniques are completely successful. As a result, sometimes back surgery is not always effective. The reasons for a failed back surgery are numerous. But, the most common include surgical error, misdiagnosis, or failure of the…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) The lumbar spine contains the largest vertebrae in our spine. It functions as a bearer of most of the upper body’s weight and a shock absorber for our movements. However, this important job can lead to spinal damage or deterioration over time. A Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) aims…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Posterior Cervical Laminoplasty In the posterior spine, there exists a structure known as the vertebral arch. Eleven parts make up this structure—seven processes, two pedicles, and two laminae. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, this area of the spine becomes compressed (a condition known as cervical stenosis). This may occur…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Osteotomy: Overview, Advantages, & Eligibility Criteria Spinal deformities can develop for various reasons, and their symptoms can be painful, embarrassing, or debilitating. Spinal osteotomies are surgical procedures that doctors use to treat a wide variety of spinal deformities. More specifically, an osteotomy is a…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Microdiscectomy: Overview, Advantages, & Eligibility Criteria The experience of suffering a bulging or herniated disc is a common one, especially among older adults. These damaged discs can press on adjacent nerves, causing debilitating pain or other distressing symptoms. A minimally invasive microdiscectomy is a…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Laser Spine Surgery If you’ve been searching for surgical interventions to manage back pain, then you’ve probably stumbled across laser spine surgery. The name conjures up images of futuristic beams of light with the high precision and scientific accuracy to repair whatever ails your spine. As we will see—when it comes to the…