Personalized Solutions for back pain and Spinal issues

The Spine surgeons at the Orthopaedic & Spine Institute at Saint Agnes Hospital want the very best for their patients and the very best includes the latest technology and the most minimally invasive procedures available to insure a quick and full recovery and a solution that will last a life time. Treating a spine injury requires skilled, hands-on evaluation and diagnostic testing, plus plenty of individualized attention. Your spine physicians at Saint Agnes work with you before, during and after your surgery. Together, you’ll determine the best form of treatment, as well as a plan for rehabilitation and pain management—so you can get back on your feet faster.

The Spine Center team includes specialists from a variety of departments, including orthopaedics, neurosurgery, anesthesia, psychiatry and internal medicine—all with expertise in treating the unique problems of the spine.

We specialize in correcting spine problems related to:

• Degenerative spinal conditions
• Herniated disc lesions
• Soft tissue strains, sprains and contusions
• Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
• Work-related back pain
• Mechanical back dysfunction
• Traumatic and overuse spine injuries
• Spinal deformities, acquired and congenital
• Whiplash injuries
• Systemic diseases affecting the spine
• Fractures, dislocations and subluxations

What are the different types of spine surgery?

Depending on your injury, your doctor may recommend one of the following procedures:

Aspiration Percutaneous Lumbar Diskectomy (APLD)
In this procedure, a surgeon loosens and removes disk material through a needle inserted though the back muscles at the side of your spine, into the center of the disk. A small blade, inserted through the needle, whirls and breaks apart the disk material. A salt solution, flowing through the needle, liquefies the material, which is suctioned out. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia.

Laminectomy
A surgeon removes the lamina (the bone overlying the spinal cord and nerves) and removes disk fragments that press on nerve roots in your spine.

Laminotomy
A surgeon removes a small piece of the lamina and scrapes out protruding disk material.

Microsurgery
Microsurgery can be used successfully on a small disk bulge pressing on a branch of the sciatic nerve—a group of nerves bound in one nerve sheath that runs from the lower back through the buttocks and thigh to the knee. It offers advantages over conventional surgery, including a shorter hospital stay, fewer complications and less postoperative pain.

Spinal Fusion
This operation involves a bone graft (usually bone from the pelvis and chips from the spine) to fuse to the lower spinal vertebrae and prevent painful motion of the spine. Months of casting and bracing are required to immobilize the back and promote a solid fusion. Our Surgeons perform this surgery as minimally invasive as possible.

Cervical Disc Replacements
This procedure involves placing an artificial disc between two of the cervical veterbrae thus alleviating pressure on the spinal cord or affected nerve. This procedure helps to preserve the motion of the spine.

Foraminotomy
The Intervertebral Foramina is an opening between adjacent vertebrae that allows nerves to pass to and from the spinal cord. If this passage is being obstructed or the nerve is being pinched by a bone or disc surgery may be required. Our Surgeons alleviate this issue with a minimally invasive Foraminotomy procedure which entails using an arthroscope to remove the obstruction.

X-Stop Device
This minimally invasive procedure involves the insertion of the X- stop device, which is an implant that acts as a spacer relieving pressure on the nerves cause by lumbar spinal stenosis.

Non Surgical Procedures

• Spinal cord stimulators for chronic pain
• X-stop device - a minimally invasive procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis
• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet blocks

Important Information

All Spinal surgeries will require supervised rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Services team at Saint Agnes Hospital are experts at getting you back to a normal life as safely and quickly as possible. For more information on Rehabilitation services click here or call 410-368-2800.

To speak with a physician regarding Spinal surgery, click here or call 1-866-690-9355. 

Video

Dr. Haroun on Spine Surgery

Dr. Raymond Haroun, Director of Spine Surgery at the Orthopaedic and Spine Institute at Saint Agnes Hospital, discusses why he chooses to practice at Saint Agnes as well as the exciting techniques that are being utilized in spine surgery at the hospital.

Watch Video