Struggling with chronic back pain? You may have an underlying condition requiring orthopedic care. Committed to Less Pain, More Living, Southlake Orthopaedics is a multi-specialty orthopedic practice serving the Birmingham, Hoover, and central Alabama areas with compassionate and comprehensive medical services. Learn about the variety of spine procedures our board-certified physicians may recommend for your back pain.
There are numerous causes of back pain, and many require orthopedic care. Some of the procedures that the multi-level specialists at Southlake Orthopaedics perform include:
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of neck surgery consisting of two parts. First, the surgeon removes the damaged disc in the spinal cord that is causing the pain or weakness, approaching from the anterior, or front, of the neck. Then the surgeon will perform a fusion to stabilize the cervical segment. Once the damaged disc is removed and the area is stable, patients experience pain relief.
Chronic back pain or weakness may be caused by lamina, or bony arches that stick out from the spine and put pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. A laminectomy is a surgery that involves the removal of the lamina and the creation of more space in the spinal canal. When the lamina is no longer causing pressure on the spine, the patient can experience less pressure and pain.
Lumbar disc microsurgery, also known as microdiscectomy, is a type of minimally invasive spine surgery often used for treating herniated discs. The surgeon makes a small incision and uses small tools to remove fragments of the herniated disc and tissues that are causing pain. Once the nerve is freed, the patient will experience pain relief.
Lumbar spinal fusion is a kind of surgery used to stabilize the back, reshape the spine, and reduce pain caused by bones in the spine rubbing against each other. The surgery involves fusing two or more bones in the back together to prevent them from moving against each other and causing problems. The surgeon will place a bone or bone-like material in between the two moving bones and use hardware to hold them together as they heal and fuse.
With an anterior lumber interbody fusion, the surgeon will remove the damaged intervertebral disk and clear out the space where it was. Then, the surgeon will place hardware, like a spacer or cage, in the area to promote fusion and bone healing. With this approach, the surgeon makes an incision in the front through the abdomen.
A posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is like the ALIF procedure, but the approach angle is different. The surgeon approaches the spine through an incision on the back and typically uses screws and rods to help stabilize the spine.
Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) is a type of interbody fusion that is minimally invasive. The procedure is performed through the side of the body, rather than the front or the back. This prevents any interactions with major back muscles, bones, and ligaments and offers a shorter recovery time.
A spinal cord stimulator implant surgery is a kind of minimally invasive spine surgery that is most commonly used for chronic pain resistant to other treatment methods. The surgery consists of placing an implant called a spinal cord stimulator inside the patient’s body. The implant is connected to a monitor that sends low levels of electricity directly to the body to disrupt pain signals. When the pain signals are interrupted, the brain doesn’t receive them, and patients will experience pain relief.
Patients throughout central Alabama turn to Southlake Orthopaedics for complete orthopedic care. The board-certified physicians take a compassionate and personalized approach to treating patients in all stages of life. They utilize state-of-the-art medical technology to provide innovative solutions to treatment. Southlake Orthopaedics features an in-house physical therapy department, an osteoporosis clinic, and a full-service prosthetics and orthotics lab.
If you’re ready to take control of your chronic back pain and speak with a spinal specialist, make an appointment with Southlake Orthopaedics. With locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL, and serving all of central Alabama, Southlake Orthopaedics is a trusted provider of orthopedic services, including surgery and rehabilitation. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started toward less pain and more living.
