Spinal Disorders Treatments and Surgeries

At Haynes Neurosurgical Group, treatments and surgeries for spinal disorders are approached with precision and painstaking care. We recognize the profound impact spinal health has on overall well-being and offer specialized attention and personalized solutions for a wide range of spinal disorders.

Our focus is to restore mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance the overall quality of life for our patients. Our neurosurgery team’s expertise extends beyond technical proficiency. Our neurosurgeons are leaders in their field, with a deep understanding of the nuanced nature of spinal disorders and a commitment to restoring physical health for each patient.

Our neurosurgeons specialize in the treatment of a vast array of spinal disorders.

• Herniated Discs: We target disc abnormalities causing pain and discomfort
• Spinal Stenosis: We address the narrowing of the spinal canal with tailored solutions
• Scoliosis: We offer specialized care for abnormal curvatures of the spine
• Degenerative Disc Disease: We offer effective interventions in cases of disc degeneration
• Spinal Tumors: We provide comprehensive strategies for tumor management
• Traumatic Spinal Injuries: We offer tailored treatment plans for injuries impacting spinal health

Whatever type of spinal disorder you may have, we follow a detailed process of comprehensive assessments and collaborative consultations to understand your unique situation. 

Our precise but detailed diagnostic process guides us toward effective and targeted solutions for your spinal concerns.

Treatment options for spinal disorders can include both non-surgical and surgical options.

Conservative or non-surgical treatment options can include:

• Physical Therapy: Tailored exercises and therapies to strengthen the spine and alleviate pain
• Medications: Pharmacological interventions designed to manage pain and inflammation

Surgical interventions may include procedures that involve spinal decompression, spinal fusion, or minimally invasive procedures.

A discectomy is a means of spinal decompression. It is a surgical procedure performed to remove a portion or the entirety of a spinal disc. The spinal disc is a soft, cushion-like structure located between your vertebrae, serving as a shock absorber and providing flexibility to the spine.

Discectomy is commonly employed to address issues such as herniated discs, where the inner, gel-like substance of the disc pierces through its outer layer, causing compression of nearby nerves. A discectomy helps alleviate pain, numbness, and weakness caused by nerve compression. 

Different types of discectomy procedures include:

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy (ACD): This involves accessing the disc through the front of the neck (anterior approach) to address issues in the cervical spine (neck region).
• Lumbar Discectomy: This procedure is performed in the lumbar spine (lower back) and can be approached from the back (posterior) or, in some cases, from the front (anterior) or side (lateral).

Recent advances in surgical techniques have made minimally invasive approaches for this procedure a reality. This has helped reduce recovery times and improved outcomes for patients undergoing discectomy procedures. 

During your appointment, talk to our experts to find out if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive approach.

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that joins two or more vertebrae in the spine, creating a solid and immobile structure. The goal of spinal fusion is to eliminate movement between the vertebrae, reduce pain, and stabilize the spine. 

This procedure involves placing bone or a bone-like material between the vertebrae and using metal plates, screws, or rods to hold the vertebrae together. 

What to Expect with Spinal Fusion

1. The surgeon prepares the spine by removing any discs or structures causing pain or instability.
2. A bone graft is placed between the vertebrae. This can be a small bone (autograft) taken from another part of your body or a synthetic material or donor bone (allograft).
3. Metal hardware, such as screws, plates, or rods, is often used to hold the vertebrae in place and enable spinal fusion.
4. Over time, the bone graft stimulates the growth of new bone, fusing the adjacent vertebrae. This creates a more stable and rigid spinal structure.

Spinal fusion is performed to treat spinal conditions like degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, and spinal instability. 

Disc replacement or total disc arthroplasty helps treat severe disc-related conditions in the spine. It involves removing a damaged or degenerated intervertebral disc and replacing it with an artificial or prosthetic disc. 

The goal is to maintain spinal motion and flexibility while alleviating pain and improving function.

What to Expect with Disc Replacement

1. A thorough physical and medical evaluation is conducted to determine if you are a candidate for a disc replacement procedure. This includes assessing the extent of disc damage, overall spinal health, and your medical history.
2. Before surgery, you will be given general anesthesia.
3. During the procedure, the surgeon gains access to the spine through an incision in the abdomen or neck, depending on the location of the affected disc.
4. The damaged intervertebral disc is carefully removed, addressing any issues such as herniation, degeneration, or other conditions contributing to pain and dysfunction.
5. An artificial disc is securely implanted in the disc space. This prosthetic disc is designed to mimic a healthy disc's natural movement and function.
6. The incision is closed, and your condition will be monitored during recovery.

Disc replacement is different from spinal fusion. This is because, with disc replacement, we aim to preserve spinal motion and reduce stress on adjacent discs. However, with traditional spinal fusion, the goal is to eliminate movement in the fused segment.

Minimally invasive procedures for spinal disorders involve advanced techniques that require smaller incisions, cause less disruption to surrounding tissues, and often result in faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery.

Our commitment to innovation ensures that you receive the latest advancements in spinal disorder treatment. Some minimally invasive techniques we can employ for spinal conditions include:

• Microdiscectomy: Addresses herniated discs by removing a part of the disc that compresses the nerve
• Laminectomy: Helps to relieve pressure on the nerves by removing the lamina (bony arches on the vertebrae)
• Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: Treats vertebral compression fractures by stabilizing and restoring the height of the affected vertebra

The specific procedure that may be best for your condition depends on your diagnosis, the nature of the spinal disorder, and any medical considerations you may have. 

At Haynes Neurosurgical Group, we combine unmatched precision in neurosurgical techniques with personalized care, tailoring each intervention to your unique needs. 

Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care ensures you receive the best possible outcome for your spinal condition.

To schedule a consultation with one of our experts, call us at (205) 787-8676 or request an appointment online.