“Do I need surgery?” This is a common question that patients ask when they see a spine surgeon.
Misunderstandings about the role of surgery in spine care are widespread. They often originate from pervasive TV commercials that promise instant cure of back problems by modern surgical techniques.
The term claudication refers to inability to walk distances because of pain or tiredness in the buttocks and legs. There are two types of claudication: neurogenic and vascular.
Neurogenic claudication occurs because of narrowing in the spinal canal (stenosis) causing pressure on the spinal nerves.
Bulging disc is one of the most common findings on spine imaging, MRI or CT scan. I am often asked if it is the cause of the neck or low back pain and whether it is dangerous and needs to be treated.
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a minimally invasive spine (MIS) fusion procedure used to remove pressure from the pinched nerves, realign and stabilize bones in the lower back. It is known under several different names depending on the manufacturer of the equipment, including LLIF, XLIF, DLIF.
How is the procedure performed?
As discussed in a separate article, MIS surgery achieves the same goals of traditional “open” surgery while resulting in less damage to body.
ACDF is one of the most commonly performed spine surgeries. It is a surgical procedure done from the front of the neck (hence, anterior), during which the surgeon removes the abnormal disc (discectomy) and fuses the bones using a spacer, plate, and screws.
