Spine Surgery
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Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute
Orthopedic Surgery located in San Bernardino, CA, Victorville, CA, Pomona, CA, Barstow, CA, Loma Linda, CA & Chino, CA
Back and neck diseases and injuries often recover well with conservative treatments, but there are times when surgery is the best option. At the Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute, the team of highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons uses advanced, minimally invasive techniques and state-of-the-art technology to perform a comprehensive range of spine surgeries. If you think spine surgery could be the answer to your treatment-resistant back or neck pain, contact one of the practice's offices in San Bernardino, Victorville, Pomona, Barstow, Banning, Loma Linda or it's Chino, California location. Call to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.
Spine Surgery Q&A
What is spine surgery?
Spine surgery is a treatment option for patients with back or neck injuries and disorders that aren't improving using more conservative methods.
The Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute team only performs spine surgery if there are no suitable alternatives or you have an injury that requires immediate surgical intervention.
Where possible, your surgeon uses the least invasive methods to operate on your back or neck. The most common approach is minimally invasive spine surgery using retractors that pull the muscles aside, so they don't have to be cut. After surgery, the retractors come out, and the muscles go back into place.
Some surgeons use endoscopic techniques when performing certain surgeries, which involve passing a flexible, lighted instrument into your spine.
This instrument – the endoscope – also has a camera on it, which sends back clear images of your spine. Your surgeon uses these images to guide them during your spine surgery.
Why would I need spine surgery?
Spine surgery might be necessary if you have a back or neck problem, such as:
- Herniated disc
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Myelopathy
- Spinal stenosis
- Lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica)
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Scoliosis
- Arthritis and bone spurs
These conditions frequently improve with conservative therapies, but spine surgery offers genuine hope of improved mobility and a reduction in pain for the few patients who aren't getting relief.
What type of spine surgery might I need?
The type of spine surgery you need varies depending on what's causing your back or neck pain and how bad it is. The kinds of procedures in which the Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute team excels include:
- Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF)
- Foraminotomy
- Laminectomy
- Laminotomy
- Discectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Artificial disc replacement
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
- Direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF)
- Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
Fusion surgery often takes place after the removal of a disc or spinal decompression surgery to open a narrow spinal canal. Fusion joins the vertebrae on either side of the problem area, strengthening your spine and reducing the risk of instability.
Fusion is a well-proven approach but does result in some loss of spinal flexibility. An alternative is to implant an artificial disc that mimics the way your natural disc works.
To see whether spine surgery is your best option and discuss the most suitable approach to treating your back or neck pain, call Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Institute today or book an appointment online.
