These short videos provide an easy-to-understand description of the following conditions and procedures:
Conditions
The spinal column is the body's main support structure. Its 33 bones, called vertebrae, are divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal.
This condition is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the cervical spine. Because these nerves travel to the shoulders, arms and hands, an injury in the cervical spine can cause symptoms in these areas. Cervical radiculopathy may result from a variety of problems with the bones and tissues of the cervical spinal column.
This is a collapse of vertebral bone. It can affect one or more vertebrae. Compression fractures typically develop in your mid- or lower back. This can change the shape of your spine.
This condition is a weakening of one or more vertebral discs, which normally act as a cushion between the vertebrae. This condition can develop as a natural part of the aging process, but it may also result from injury to the back.
Between the vertebrae of your spine are soft discs. They let your spine twist and bend. They absorb shocks. But if damaged, the disc's soft center can push through the disc wall. That's a herniated disc. This bulge presses against nerves in your spine.
This condition is a deformity of the spine. With it, your vertebrae change from a cylindrical shape to a wedge shape. Your spine may begin to curve forward. Eventually, this gives your upper back a rounded appearance.
This condition is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Because these nerves travel to the hips, buttocks, legs and feet, an injury in the lumbar spine can cause symptoms in these areas. Sciatica may result from a variety of problems with the bones and tissues of the lumbar spinal column.
Learn more about radiculopathy and sciatica.
This is a problem that affects your spinal cord. It happens when something presses harmfully against it. Your spinal cord is the main nerve pathway between your brain and your body. Pressure on it can cause problems throughout your body.
As you get older, your bones may get weaker. This is called "osteoporosis." Weak bones are more likely to break. Osteoporosis can be a problem for anyone, but it is more common in women.
This condition is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It most often develops in early childhood, just before a child reaches puberty.
Your spinal nerves travel through your spinal canal and exit through openings we call foramen. If any of these spaces are too narrow, your nerves become compressed. We say you have spinal stenosis. It's a problem that most often happens in the neck and lower back.
This condition occurs when a lumbar vertebra slips out of place. It slides forward, distorting the shape of your spine. This may compress the nerves in the spinal canal. The nerves that exit the foramen (open spaces on the sides of your vertebrae) may also be compressed. These compressed nerves can cause pain and other problems.
This condition is a degeneration of the spine that can affect the spine at any level, resulting in pain and discomfort that can grow worse over time.
Surgical Procedures
ALIF is generally used to treat back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The surgeon will stabilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together with bone graft material.
ALIF is generally used to treat back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The surgeon will stabilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together with bone graft material.
General anesthesia makes a person unconscious. People call this "put under" or "put to sleep." But it isn't the same as regular sleep. A person given general anesthesia cannot feel pain. And the person won't remember what happens during a medical procedure.
This surgery relieves pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerves. It involves the removal of bone and discs from your cervical spine, followed by a fusion.
This surgery removes a herniated or diseased disc and relieves neck and radiating arm pain caused by parts of the disc pressing on nerve roots.
This surgical procedure creates more space for the spinal cord and nerve roots to relieve the painful pressure of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can result from arthritis.
This surgery creates more space for a compressed spinal nerve in your neck. The procedure relieves painful pressure caused by a herniated or degenerative disc.
This is a way to monitor your nerves during surgery. It gives your surgical team real-time feedback. It helps keep your nerves safe during your procedure. Here's how it works.
This procedure relieves pressure on the nerve roots in the spine. It is most commonly performed to relieve the pain of stenosis. This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that is often caused by the formation of bony growths that can press against the nerve roots. The surgeon may treat one or more vertebrae.
This surgery relieves pressure on spinal nerves in your neck. It treats a condition we call spinal stenosis. Laminectomy makes more space for these compressed nerves. Then your spine is stabilized with implants.
This procedure removes a section of bone from the rear of one or more vertebrae to relieve the painful and disabling pressure of stenosis.
This minimally-invasive procedure relieves pressure on nerve roots caused by a herniated disc. It can eliminate the pain of sciatica.
This surgery helps a painful lower spine. It treats a degenerated or damaged disc. The bad disc is removed and the vertebra bones above and below that disc are joined together. A fusion can reduce or eliminate your pain.
This minimally-invasive procedure uses special guides and fluoroscopic imaging to allow a surgeon to precisely implant stabilizing screws and rods in the spine while minimizing damage to muscles, tendons and other soft tissue in the back.
This minimally invasive procedure is used to remove overgrown vertebral bone and soft tissue to relieve the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine. It is performed through a small incision on the back.
This minimally invasive procedure is used to remove a degenerated disc to relieve the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine. It is performed through a small incision on the back.
This procedure fuses two of your vertebrae with implants and bone graft material. It stabilizes your spine. It can be used to treat pain caused by degenerative disc disease.
In many spinal surgeries, two or more vertebral bones are permanently joined with a technique called spinal fusion. A fusion creates a solid mass of bone. It stabilizes your spine.
TLIF is generally used to treat back or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The surgeon will stabilize the spine by fusing vertebrae together with bone graft material.
Unlike traditional back surgery, XLIF® is performed through the patient's side. By entering this way, major muscles of the back are avoided. This minimally-invasive procedure is generally used to treat leg or back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. It can be performed on an outpatient basis.