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Spine Surgery Types and Treatment

At Banner Brain & Spine, we know spine injuries and spine conditions can be painful, which is why we bring together a team of experts, including physical therapists, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and orthopedic surgeons to treat your individual spine condition. Our experts collaborate and discuss your condition with you to ensure you’re getting the best diagnosis and can make informed decisions about your treatment plan. And with the latest in imaging technology, we get you the answers you need quickly when you need spinal surgery or treatment.

What Is Spinal Surgery?

Spinal or spine surgery, as it relates to neurosurgery, focuses on treating diseases of the spinal column,  spinal cord and the nerves. When the spinal cord, spinal nerves and nerve roots are damaged, this can affect how the brain and body talk to each other.

Types of Spine Conditions

Spine Fractures or Fractured Vertebrae.

Herniated discs. A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, is a condition that occurs   when the soft center of a spinal disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer of the disc. This can cause the disc to press on nearby nerves or the spinal cord, which can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the affected area.

Herniated discs most commonly occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) and the neck (cervical spine), although they can also occur in the mid-back (thoracic spine).

Herniated discs can be caused by a variety of factors, including age-related wear and tear, repetitive stress injuries and trauma.

The most common symptoms of a herniated disc include back pain, leg pain (sciatica) and neck pain.

Treatment options for a herniated disc may include medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. The appropriate treatment will depend on the severity of the herniation and the individual patient's symptoms and medical history.

Osteoarthritis of the spine, also known as spinal osteoarthritis or spinal degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is a type of joint disease that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away, causing the bones to rub together. This can lead to pain, stiffness and difficulty moving the affected joint.

Osteoarthritis of the spine can occur in any part of the spine, but it most commonly affects the neck (cervical spine) and the lower back (lumbar spine). It is more common in people who are older and in those who have a history of joint injury or overuse. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine include back pain, neck pain, stiffness and difficulty with mobility.

Treatment options for osteoarthritis of the spine may include medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. The appropriate treatment will depend on the severity of the osteoarthritis and the individual patient's symptoms and medical history.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about the types of conditions that may require surgery

Types of Spine Surgeries

Talk to your doctor about your options when it comes to spine surgery. Options for spine surgery may include:

  • Spinal fusion: This procedure joins together two or more vertebrae to improve stability or correct a deformity.
  • Laminectomy: Also known as decompression surgery, this spinal surgery procedure removes the lamina to relieve pressure on nerves and spinal cord.
  • Foraminotomy: This procedure enlarges the area in the spine around compressed nerves to relieve pressure.
  • Vertebroplasty: This procedure is used to treat spine fractures weakened by osteoporosis by injecting bone cement.

Spine Surgery Testing and Diagnosis

When your spine is injured or you have other related issues, you want relief quickly. Our Brain and Spine specialists have years of experience in diagnosing and treating spine issues. Our imaging centers use advanced technology to help get you a complete picture of what is causing your spine issues. Learn more about spine testing and diagnosis

Spine Treatment Options

We know getting you out of pain and back to your favorite activities is important to you, which is why Banner Brain & Spine's team of experts works hard to develop your individualized treatment plan. Many surgical procedures of the spine can be done using minimally invasive techniques, which shorten the length of recovery time for patients. 

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a type of surgical procedure that is performed through small incisions, using specialized instruments and techniques. The goal of minimally invasive surgery is to make smaller incisions and minimize the amount of tissue that is disrupted. This can lead to less pain and blood loss, faster recovery and a lower risk of complications.

There are many different types of minimally invasive spine surgery, including procedures that are used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Some common examples of minimally invasive spine surgery include laminectomy, discectomy and spinal fusion. These procedures may be performed using small incisions and specialized instruments, such as microsurgery tools and endoscopes.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is not suitable for all patients, and the decision to undergo this type of surgery should be made after careful consideration and consultation with a health care provider.

Learn more about surgical and nonsurgical treatment options available.

Spine Surgery Recovery

Recovery is a large part of your spine surgery process. Our dedicated multispecialty spine team of physical therapists, physiatrists, and surgeons are ready to provide a comprehensive care plan and offer education and support to help throughout your recovery. Learn more about spine surgery recovery

Spine Surgery Technology

In our operating rooms, you’ll find state-of-the-art spine surgery technology. Our specialists use a spinal GPS (grid positioning system) to ensure safety and efficiency of our procedures during both minimally invasive surgeries as well as conventional open spine surgeries.

Our surgical team will take images, such as CT scans or an MRI, and import them into the system. These images can help determine placement of incisions and screws. This image guidance system then uses a robotic arm to help place screws and instruments more safely in the spine. This system also allows for less operating time and less time under anesthesia.

Our neurosurgery and orthopedic experts work closely together  to ensure your condition is being looked at from all perspectives. Whatever your condition or need, we are here for you. Banner Health's large network of specialists in brain and spine health, imaging and physical therapy  are ready to offer you the latest treatments and care when you need it most