Lumbar Spine Surgery

Lumbar Spine Surgery

What is a Lumbar Spine Surgery?
How long is the surgery?
How long is the hospital stay?
Do I need Anesthesia?
Recovery Time
Surgical Video

What is a Lumbar Spine Surgery?

Individuals with intractable back pain and/or leg pain may be suffering from ruptured or herniated disc. In the back, discs material can exert pressure on the nearby delicate nerves and cauda equine (the long tracks of nerves located at the lower part of the back). The initial symptom, in most instances, is pain in either low back or the leg. Through the advances in spine surgery, safe and effective methods are available to relieve the nerve pain and restore function to the affected area in the lumbar spine. The approach to the spine can be performed from the front or back of the lumbar spine. A newer technique uses the lateral approach to access the disc space. At spinesurgeonla, emphasis is placed on the least invasive technique with the highest chance of success in relieving pain and disability.

Anterior (front) approaches are designed to remove the entire disc. Minimally invasive techniques allow our surgeon to carry out the surgery as an outpatient procedure. During the surgery, a small incision in front of the abdomen allows the access surgeon to create a bloodless corridor to the front of the spine. An operating microscope allows for ample light and magnification. The procedure carries minimal risk of bleeding and meticulous surgical techniques provide for rapid recovery and excellent cosmetic outcome.

Posterior (back) procedures are reserved for disc herniations or bone spurs producing nerve impingement. A one to one and half inch incision in the midline of the low back is carried down to the level of the spine. Through a small window in the bone, disc, bone spur or thickened ligament is removed and the pressure over the nerve and/or the cauda equine is relieved.

Lateral procedures, generally recognized by the term XLIF, (Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion) is designed for individuals with severe back pain, segmental scoliosis, and diminished disc height. Through a small incision on the flank, a blood less corridor is created down to the disc level. With advance nerve monitoring techniques, a tubular retractor is used as a channel for removal of the disc followed by insertion of an interbody graft that helps restore the lumbar spine alignment and relives the pressure from the nerves.

LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY TREATS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Bone Spurs
Bulging disc
Herniated disc
Pinched nerve
Spine stenosis
Arthritis of the BACK

How long is the surgery?

An experienced team of nurses and anesthesiologists work together with Dr.Mohamed Mohi Eldin. Front procedures for removal of herniated disc, or back approaches for shaving bone spurs and removing spine arthritis take one and half hour to two and half hours for routine procedures.

How long is the hospital stay?

Most patients are sent home after an overnight stay, including front procedures for removal of disc and spacer placement.

Do I need Anesthesia?

For the most comfortable experience, general anesthesia or being completely sleep through the procedure, is recommended. An experienced group of anesthesiologists at our facilities administer and monitor the comfort and relaxation level.

Recovery Time

The minimally invasive procedures decrease the bleeding, tissue trauma and post-operative pain level. After the initial two weeks of recovery, physical therapy commences around the third week. Return to work is generally around the fourth or fifth week after surgery.

Why Select Dr. Mohamed Mohi Eldin?