The Very Latest in Spine Surgery

What are some of the newer methods for performing spine surgery?

In the past ten years, spinal surgery has truly advanced with a push toward minimally invasive spinal procedures in which the portals for the incisions are much less destructive. During these procedures, the surgeon accesses the spine through a significantly smaller incision allowing for earlier recovery and mobilization, less bleeding, less tissue destruction, less risk of infection, less pain, and a more rapid recovery.

Are there cutting-edge technology that have allowed this less invasive surgeries?

With its commitment to staying on the cutting edge of medical technology and know-how, BSW Arlington has invested in a million-dollar Globus Excelsius Robotic Navigation System. This advanced robotic platform allows surgeons to be even more accurate with spinal instrumentation thereby making spinal surgery more precise for our patients. It also allows a less invasive approach to the placement of spinal instruments. The robot synchronizes preoperative CT spans with live intraoperative imaging to allow for more accurate surgical precision and better patient outcomes. 

What kind of help can I reasonably expect for my spine condition?

Spine surgery is all about improving your quality of life. The goal of any spine surgery performed at BSW Arlington is to treat and alleviate the underlying pathology that’s causing you pain and limiting your mobility with an emphasis on the smallest surgical intervention for the best benefit and patient outcome. The Globus Excelsius Robotic Navigation allows us to select small surgical options for maximum benefit to the patient. One common spinal pathology is instability of the spine called Spondylolisthesis. The robot allows us to offer spine stabilizers in the effected segment of spine experiencing instability and decompresses the nerve structures causing the symptoms to decrease significantly post-operatively.

Am I the right age for spinal surgery?

There really aren’t age parameters for spinal surgery. But we practice a conservative approach, only recommending surgery after all conservative treatment options have been exhausted. Because physiological aging is different for everyone, there’s not a specific age when surgery is recommended or not recommended. Rather what matters is whether your problem is interfering with your quality of life and whether you’re medically able to undergo surgery.

What harm is there in waiting to have spine surgery?

That depends upon the problem you’re experiencing. There are a few true spine emergencies when patients will be urged or required to undergo surgery. But for the most part, spinal surgeries are elective and aimed at improving or maintaining your quality of life. But if you’re experiencing neurologic deficits including sensory for motor, there’s a risk of permanent or worsening neurologic deficits. 

What new technology really has you excited?

Intraoperative imaging is allowing surgeons to access real-time modifications to surgical procedures.  One such technology called Globus Excelsius is offering surgeons the advancement of minimally invasive technique to allow complex surgeries that otherwise would have been done through a large surgical procedure followed by a lengthy hospital stays. It can now be performed quicker with more precision and with better patient outcomes.