Lumbar Microdisectomy Surgeons

Lumbar Microdisectomy SurgeonsIt is important that patients understand what lumbar microdisectomy surgeons do as this will help them choose the right surgeon and understand the importance of going for a well-trained, experienced and board-certified surgeon.

Lumber microdisectomy is one of the decompression surgical procedures, the other being lumber laminectomy. Decompression surgical procedures involve the removal of small portions of the bone that lies over the nerve root and sometimes the removal of the disc material found under the nerve root. This is done to relieve the pinching of the nerve and to ensure that the pinched nerve has room to heal.

Microdisectomy, also called microdecompression spine surgery, is usually done for herniated lumbar disc. The procedure is particularly effective for leg pain (radiculopathy) treatment and less so for lower back pain treatment. Impingement/compression on the nerve root causes substantial leg pain.

In the procedure, lumbar microdisectormy surgeons make a small incision of between 1 and 1 ½ inches in the low back midline. The erector spinae (back muscles) are lifted off the lamina (bony arch) of the spine and the surgeon then enters the spine by removing membranes over the nerve roots. Operating glasses or operating microscopes are used to visualize the nerve root.

Indications for the surgery include leg pain for over 6 weeks and lack of sufficient pain relief from such conservative treatments as physical therapy and oral steroids.

The top lumbar microdisectormy surgeons in Texas belong to the South Texas Spinal Clinic. All these surgeons have American Board of Orthopedic Surgery certification and years of experience. James W. Simmons, III, D.O., Ph. D. trained at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, The Univeristy of Texas at Austin, The University of North Texas and The University of Texas at San Antonio. He has an office in Stone. Gerald Q. Greenfield, Jr., M.D. studied at Johns Hopkins University and did his internship at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He has offices in San Antonio, Stone Oak and Boerne on Main South.

Other lumbar microdisectomy surgeons from the clinic are Gilbert R. Meadows, M.D., M. David Dennis, M.D., C. Stuart Pipkin, III, M.D., Gregg S. Gurwitz, M.D., David A. Roberts, M.D., Frank K. Kuwamura, III, MD, Jerjis J. Denno, M.D., Paul T. Geibel, M.D., David M. Hirsch, D.O., Ajeya P. Joshi, M.D., and Pablo Vazquez-Seoane MD.

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Texas Slipped Disc Surgeon

texas-slipped-disc-surgeonSlipped disc, also called spinal disc herniation is a condition whereby a tear in the fibrous ring of a spinal disc causes the bulging out of the soft, central portion. The tear could be as a result of trauma, idiopathic or lifting injuries. Although slipped disc is associated with little or no pain, it is nevertheless important that you seek treatment because the condition can lead to sensory changes like muscular weakness, tingling, and paralysis as well as damaged nerve roots.

Patients in Texas should contact a Texas slipped disc surgeon from the South Texas Spinal Clinic. The clinic has surgeons who are Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and who have completed fellowship training programs specializing in spine injury and spinal care in each of their locations. Patients also benefit from a Board Certified Physical Medicine Rehabilitation doctor specializing in myofascial pain management, musculoskeletal injuries and conservative care.

Other than board certification and fellowship training, another important quality in a Texas slipped disc surgeon is a clinic that is well equipped and that has qualified and experienced personnel. All the South Texas Spinal Clinic locations abide by the highest safety and cleanliness standards and have the latest equipment, tools, and supplies.

One Texas slipped disc surgeon from the clinic is M. David Dennis, M.D. Dr. Dennis studied at the University of Texas at Austin and later joined the Baylor College of Medicine where he graduated in 1975. He has offices in San Antonio, Laredo, and Eagle Pass. He has hospital privileges at Methodist Hospital Systems, Methodist Stone Oak, Baptist Health Systems and The Spine and Surgical Hospital of South Texas. Another Texas surgeon from the clinic is Gilbert R. Meadows, M.D. Dr. Gilbert studied at Tulane School of Medicine, and Southern Methodist University. He has an office in Stone Oak.

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Lumbar Laminectomy Surgeons

Lumber Laminectomy SurgeonsLumbar laminectomy surgery for spinal stenosis, also called open decompression, is one of the most common spinal cord surgical procedures. The procedure is usually performed to alleviate the pain caused by neural impingement. This Impingement usually results from lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis usually affects elderly patients. Lumbar laminectomy surgeons also perform the procedure to treat herniated discs, bone spurs (osteophytes herniated discs), spinal arthritis and scar tissue formation.

In this surgical procedure, lumbar laminectomy surgeons remove small portions of disc materials found under the nerve roots or small portions of the bone that covers the nerve root. This is done to remove the pressure from the nerve root and to give the nerve root space to heal.   In the procedures, lumbar laminectomy surgeons make small incisions of between 2 and 5 inches in the midline of the back. The erector spinae (left and right back muscles) are dissected off the lamina. The lamina is removed so that the surgeons can see the nerve roots. The facet joints directly over these nerve roots may be trimmed to give the nerve roots breathing space.

The top lumbar laminectomy surgeons in the Southern Texas area belong to the South Texas Spinal Clinic. Jerjis J. Denno, M.D., who studied at University of Michigan Medical School and Wayne State University, has an office in San Antonio. Paul T. Geibel, M.D., who studied at Tulane University School of Medicine and Austin College, has offices in Stone Oak, New Braunfels, San Marcos and San Antonio. Frank K. Kuwamura, III, M.D. has a Ph.D. in Microbiology. He has offices in Stone Oak and San Antonio.   Other surgeons from the clinic are Gilbert R. Meadows, M.D., M. David Dennis, M.D., Pablo Vazquez-Seoane M.D., C. Stuart Pipkin, III, M.D., Gregg S. Gurwitz, M.D., Gerald Q. Greenfield, Jr., M.D., David M. Hirsch, D.O., James W. Simmons III, DO, PhD, Ajeya P. Joshi, M.D., and David A. Roberts, M.D.

All these Texas spine surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and are members to such professional bodies as The North America Spine Society.

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Spinal Surgery Doctor

SpinalSpinal Surgery Doctor surgery, as the term suggests, is surgery of the spinal cord. It is important that patients go to well-trained and experienced surgeons since even the slightest mistake by a spinal surgery doctor could lead to nerve and sensory problems including paralysis.

Some of the best doctors in the Southern Texas area belong to the South Texas Spinal Clinic. Every spinal surgery doctor from the clinic has American Board of Orthopedic Surgery certification as well as years of experience.

There are many spinal surgical procedures that South Texas Spinal Clinic doctors are involved in. One of the most common spinal surgeries by the doctors is lumbar laminectomy (an open decompression). This procedure involves the alleviation of pain caused by neural impingement and that is often responsible for lumbar spinal stenosis. In the procedure, small portions of the bones over nerve roots or the disc materials under the nerve roots are removed.

Another popular decompression surgery is microdiscectomy. Lumbar spinal fusions make use of bone grafts to stop the motion at painful vertebral segments. Discectomy involves the removal of the herniated disk portion. In Vertebroplasty, the spinal surgery doctor injects bone cement into pinched vertebrae.

Other surgical procedures are chemonucleolysis, IDET, Tessys method, hemilaminectomy, artificial disc replacement, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, disc arthroplasty and dynamic stabilization.

The spinal surgery doctors from the South Texas Spinal Clinic are Gilbert R. Meadows, M.D., M. David Dennis, M.D., C. Stuart Pipkin, III, M.D., Gregg S. Gurwitz, M.D., David A. Roberts, M.D., Gerald Q. Greenfield, Jr., M.D., Frank K. Kuwamura, III, M.D., and Jerjis J. Denno, M.D. Others are Paul T. Geibel, M.D., David M. Hirsch, D.O., James W. Simmons III, DO, PhD, Ajeya P. Joshi, M.D., and Pablo Vazquez-Seoane M.D.

The spine doctors have offices in Stone Oak, Toepperwein, New Braunfels, Laredo, Fredericksburg, Eagle Pass, San Marcos, Westover Hills, Downtown, Boerne on Main and Boerne on Menger Springs.

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Types of Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolisthesis Surgery

SpondylolisthesisThere are many injuries that can happen to a person’s back and spinal cord. The vertebrae, discs, tissues, and nerves in back are the main support of the human body. The vertebrae are strong, however when one injures their spine it can be very painful. Spondylolisthesis is one injury or condition of the spine when one of the vertebra moves forward or backward in comparison to the subsequent vertebra. There are several different types of spondylolisthesis and can occur at any age. Conservative treatment is looked at first but if this treatment does not help, spondylolisthesis surgery is advised.

Spondylolisthesis causes a deformity to the spine, narrowing of the spinal canal, or compresses the exiting roots of the nerve. The vertebrae can slip forward, called anterolisthesis, or backward, called retrolisthesis. There are also five different types of spondylolisthesis.

  • Dysplastic spondylolisthesis is a congenital defect where the facet in the vertebra slips forward.
  • Isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs usually in athletes who engage and receive repetitive stress and trauma to the vertebrae causing a defect with or without slippage.
  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis takes place when cartilage deterioration happens leading to arthritic alterations in the joints of the back
  • Traumatic spondylolisthesis is created when there is a direct hit to the back causing trauma or injury with the vertebrae usually going forward.
  • Pathologic spondylolisthesis occurs when a bone has a defect caused by abnormal bone forming, like a tumor.

Conservative and less invasive treatments should be sought and tried before deciding upon surgery. However, some spondylolisthesis injuries can only be treated by surgery. When deciding upon spondylolisthesis surgery three goals should be met for a successful surgical outcome; to relieve the compression and/or pressure of the nerves being affected, stabilize the vertebrae using fusion which prevents more slippage and nerve compression, and to restore the spinal alignment.

As far as the type surgery to treat spondylolisthesis, this depends on the surgeon. There is still some debate on what the best approach is. The patient needs to work with their surgeon and doctor to become educated on the best treatment for the ailment and know of the risks that come with having surgery. For someone affected with spondylolisthesis in southern Texas, South Texas Spinal Clinic is a great place to find a qualified and competent doctor to treat and if necessary perform spondylolisthesis surgery.

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Slipped Disc Treatment

Slipped DiskA slipped disc is a misleading title for a specific back injury. Spinal discs are located in between the bones of the spine absorbing the shock one puts on his or her body. When an injury to the back occurs the disc actually splits or ruptures rather than slip out of the vertebrae. This can be very painful and debilitating to a person decreasing their quality of life. Slipped disc treatment is available and consists of home treatment to surgical options. A qualified and competent spinal doctor should be sought out for advice and treatment.

How does a slipped disc happen?

When too much pressure is placed on the back the disc cartilage and tissue herniates or ruptures. This enables the internal gel in the disc to leak into the surrounding tissue placing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves resulting with pain. This is a very common back injury and is also referred to as a herniated, prolapsed, or ruptured disk.

What is slipped disc treatment?

There are actually several different treatments for a slipped disc. For minor cases, home treatment is prescribed consisting of limited activity, applying hot and cold packs to the affected area, along with over the counter pain relievers including ibuprofen and acetaminophen. For extreme pain, narcotics may be prescribed for a time. Rigid Bed rest is not generally recommended in fact as the ailment improves over time, specific stretching or strengthening exercises are recommended.

Specific medicines given orally or through a shot may also be prescribed. Medical steroid shot treatments, typically referred to as Cortisol shots, are given by the doctor which relax the surrounding muscles. These decrease the spasms relieving the tightness of the muscle.

When these less invasive treatments are not effective, surgical options are discussed. Depending on the variances of the injury, surgery can either be done with endoscopic excisions, or open. A disectomy is carried out by the surgeon by cutting into the back, eliminating the damaged portion of the disc located between the vertebrae pinching the nerve.

South Texas Spinal Clinic has certified spinal doctors, surgeons and staff qualified to aid in the treatment for slipped discs. Of course the best slipped disc treatment is prevention. Strengthening the back and abdominal muscles can prevent injury and reoccurring injuries with regular exercise focusing on the lower back. Learning to lift properly with the legs rather than the back and not twisting, and wearing a spine brace while doing heavy lifting will also prevent strain and possible injury to the back.

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Finding a San Antonio Spine Doctor

SA Spine DoctorJust about the most distressing or painful incident to someone is often a back or spinal injury. The spine consists not only of the intricate spinal cord but, muscles, bones, and vast amounts of connective tissue. The injury or chronic back problem can be debilitating, decreasing one’s quality of life. A spine doctor can help decrease or even remove the injured part in the back. For those living in southern Texas, a certified San Antonio spine doctor is near. South Texas Spinal Clinic has qualified and trustworthy doctors and staff to aid a person dealing with back pain and injury.

The clinic employs orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons specializing in spinal surgery. Generally, a neurosurgeon concentrates on the nerves inside the body and orthopedic surgeons concentrate on bones. However, some orthopedic surgeons specialize on the bones of the spine. Trying to find a spine doctor can be overwhelming and nerve racking, with the spine being such a delicate and important part of the body. When searching for a San Antonio spine doctor here are some points to keep in mind.

A spine doctor and/or surgeon should be board certified

What does the doctor spend most of his or her time in their practice doing? A good surgeon should devote no less than 50% of their practice to the treating of spinal ailments and conditions.

The doctor should help the patient feel at ease and assured, along with being able to answer questions and concerns the patient may have.

With many updated techniques and technologies in the field of spinal care and back surgery , the doctor should be up to date, confident, and have hours of experience of spinal surgeries to provide the best care of the patient.

Spinal and back surgeries are expensive; check with the insurance company and see what will be covered. Also, confer with the doctor to make sure he or she will accept the specific insurance.

Not all back injuries and problems need surgery. Find out if the doctor treats with alternatives and options less invasive than surgery. However, if surgery is chosen a doctor that truly cares about a patient will be there from the consultation, through the after care. A physician that is knowledgeable of treatments and options in healing the injury and/or back ailment needs to be there to help the patient be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the treatments and/or surgery needed.

The treatment for a spinal and back injury may take several months therefore one needs to feel comfortable and confident in the doctor of choice. Even after a back surgery, pain may be present for awhile and rehabilitation is required. Finding a competent San Antonio spine doctor does not need to be a difficult task. South Texas Spinal Clinic has qualified spinal doctors, surgeons, and other experienced staff who meet this before stated criteria.

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The Difference between Disk Replacement Surgery and Spinal Fusion

Disk Replacement Many Americans experience some sort of back pain in their lives.  Some pain and/or injury may be corrected with physical therapy and over the counter medications.  Others may need more invasive solutions including surgery.  With modern technology there are more options of which type of surgery which would work best for the problem. People dealing with lower back pain whether chronic or new and have had a decrease in motion along with pain may consider spinal fusion or disk replacement surgery. The latter is the best choice for those whose goal is to preserve motion.

Both disk replacement and spinal fusion procedures work well and help the patient have a better quality of life.  Sometimes either surgery would work well to correct the injury giving the patient options, although in specific cases one surgery may work better over the other.  It is important for the patient to confer with qualified doctors and surgeons to decide which surgery would be the best choice.

What is the difference between the two surgeries and how does one go about deciding which surgery would work best for them?  Beginning with spinal fusion, this works well for those who deal with painful joints including degenerative scoliosis, advanced disc disease, other unstable spinal problems, or those with numerous ranges of disease.  With spinal fusion surgery these painful and disabling ailments can be treated by fusing together two or more vertebrae.

Disk replacement surgery has only been regularly practiced since the mid to late 80s.  Compared to spinal fusion, this is a more recent procedure, which gets rid of the diseased disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. These metal and plastic discs create a similar motion of the original disc.

Deciding on which type of surgery, if needed, the patient should consider all the options, pros, cons, and risks of back surgery.  For those living in southern Texas, the South Texas Spinal Clinic has qualified doctors and surgeons along with excellent staff to aid one in this decision.  They offer consultations, physical therapy, surgery options along with everything in between. Surgery is not something a patient wants to jump into so research and careful consideration of all the options is critical. Disk replacement surgery and spinal fusion are two surgical options for one with back pain and discomfort. In some cases either surgery would work well, on the other hand only one may be the better choice depending on the injury and patient.

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What is Herniated Disc Surgery

herniated discBack pain is a common ailment among people today. Some pack pain can be alleviated in time and/or physical therapy; other back injuries can only be repaired by surgery.

Herniated disc surgery is a common surgery.

 

What is Herniated Disc Surgery, it and how will it help?

The backbone or the spine consists of vertebrae and discs. These discs are located in between the vertebrae. A herniated disc occurs when a disk pushes out and presses on the nerve fibers around the spine. This injury has many names including a pinched nerve, bulging disc, ruptured or slipped disc and of course a herniated disc. This can be a very painful injury and usually occurs in the lower area of the spine underneath the ribs to the hips. Medical attention is necessary where a doctor will be able to decide which type of treatment would be best to alleviate pain. If less invasive treatments for example, physical therapy, or shots, do not work herniated disc surgery may need to be performed.

Surgery can be frightening for a person who is diagnosed with a herniated disc, however with the careful care and professionalism of the staff of South Texas Spinal Clinic, the patient’s fear is eased. They provide well trained and certified surgeons who specialize in spinal surgeries including the before and after care needed.

A herniated disc surgical procedure might be accomplished in various ways. Endoscopic excisions are normal with less invasive surgeries becoming more common. This results in reduced risk, less muscle and tissue damage, which speeds up recovery. The procedure used for the surgical removal of a herniated disc is called a disectomy. The qualified surgeon makes a cut in the back, removing the injured part of the disc sitting between each spinal vertebra which is pinching the nerve. The patient is given general anesthesia with the surgery usually taking 1-2 hours. After the surgery one may still have some pain but is given pain medications to ease the discomfort, although some pain is normal and will subside in a few days. Healing and recovery depend on the person but one should take great care and follow the physician’s orders for optimum results.

South Texas Spinal Clinic physicians will be there to help a patient from the beginning to the end. When a person is diagnosed with a herniated disc, the staff will work with the patient in finding the best treatment to alleviate the injury and pain. The doctors are highly qualified and certified to perform herniated disc surgery if needed to fix the injury.

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What is Spinal Stenosis Treatment & Can it Help?

spinal stenosisSpinal stenosis treatment can help alleviate this very painful and often age related condition. There are some ways to alleviate the pain with non-surgical treatments although in some cases the only spinal stenosis treatment is surgical. Understanding the different options available is key.

What is Spinal Stenosis?

When a one or more areas in the spine narrows, pressure is put on the spinal cord and nerves causing lower back pain, leg tingling and numbness, weakness, and/or limitations in walking. There are two different types of spinal stenosis, which are lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis. Lumbar stenosis is located in the lower back and more common and less critical although still bothersome to one diagnosed with it. Cervical stenosis is a literal pain in the neck, where the narrowing compresses on the spinal cord. This can lead to intense weakness on the majority of the body and/or paralysis.
Depending on the type and severity of the injury and ailment, different spinal stenosis treatments may be decided upon. Exercise, activity modification, epidural injections are three less invasive treatments available. Anti inflammatory medications can also help with the swelling, decreasing the pain.

  • Exercise- with the aid of a physical therapist flexing and stretching exercises are given relieving the pressure and increasing the size of the nerve passageways. Strengthening the lower back muscles also helps take away the pain.
  • Activity modification- changing the way a person sits or walks alleviates the pain and also learning to stay away from activities and actions that trigger undesirable stenosis pain.
  • Epidural injections- usually a set of three shots of cortisone in 50% of cases can alleviate the pain caused by spinal stenosis.

Although these treatments will not fix the compression problem they can ease the pain and discomfort for one suffering with spinal stenosis.

Surgery may be the only way to permanently fix the problem of spinal stenosis. The deciding factor in choosing to have or not to have the surgery depends on the level of physical disability of the patient and the severity of the pain. The surgical procedure is primarily intended to improve a person’s activity and help them continue in life with less pain.

Understanding the differences is important to decide which spinal stenosis treatment would be best for the patient. South Texas Spinal Clinic has qualified physicians and surgeons who can diagnose, prescribe treatments, and perform surgeries if needed. One can feel confident and receive the help and relief they need to ease the pain from spinal stenosis.

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