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WHAT IT IS: Pain management (also called pain medicine or algiatry) is a branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain. Pain can either be managed using pharmacological or interventional procedures. There are many interventional back pain treatment options available for pain including epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, neurolytic blocks, spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal drug delivery system implants.
WHAT CAUSES IT: There are many sources of pain which can be divided into two groups: nociceptive pain (tissue damage) and neuropathic pain (damage to the nervous system). Nociceptive pain can further be divided into two parts, radicular (that which stems from irritation of the nerve roots) and somatic pain (pain that is limited to the back or thighs). Neuropathic pain includes complex regional pain syndrome, sympathetically maintained pain, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
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WHAT IS IT: A laminectomy, also known as decompression surgery, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in the back. The procedure enlarges the spinal canal by removing two lamina which attach to the back part of the vertebra. This process relieves pressure on the spinal cord or associated nerves, effectively reducing chronic pain that may radiate down the body’s arms and legs. A hemilaminectomy is a form of spine surgery that is similar to a laminectomy but requires a more invasive surgical process. A hemilaminectomy removes a small portion of one lamina from the vertebra. A laminectomy fully removes both lamina. Both procedures release nerve tissue and pressure by creating space in the spinal canal.
WHAT CAUSES IT: Laminectomy and hemilaminectomy are procedures to treat chronic back pain when pain is not manageable with conservative treatment options. A variety of conditions and injuries may be cause back pain, including spinal stenosis, bulging disc, arthritis of the spine and degenerative disc disease.
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WHAT IS IT: An anterior cervical discectomy & fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure that removes a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck region of the spine. Once the damaged disc is removed, a bone graft is put in place that creates a spinal fusion between two vertebrae. This fusion process prevents vertebrae in the neck from collapsing and rubbing together.
WHAT CAUSES IT: An ACDF procedure may effectively relieve symptoms caused by cervical disc herniation, bulging or degeneration in the neck. Pressure on cervical nerves in the neck may produce numbness, pain and muscle weakness in the neck, legs, arms and hands. An ACDF procedure may be considered when all other treatment options have been exhausted or unsuccessful.
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WHAT IS IT: An artificial disc replacement, also known as a total disc replacement, is a surgical procedure that removes a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck region of the spine. Similar to an Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) procedure, the damaged disc is removed. However, the disc is replaced by an artificial cervical disc rather than a bone graft. An artificial cervical disc preserves movement between vertebrae and may allow patients to maintain normal neck motion.
WHAT CAUSES IT: An artificial disc replacement procedure is an alternative surgical option to an anterior cervical discectomy & fusion (ACDF). An artificial disc replacement may relieve symptoms of numbness, pain and muscle weakness in the neck, legs, arms and hands. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions; cervical disc herniation, bulging and degeneration all place immense pressure on cervical nerves in the neck. A disc replacement procedure may be performed when preventative care, pain injections and physical therapy are unsuccessful.
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WHAT IS IT: A spinal cord stimulator utilizes low voltage electrical current to stimulate the spinal cord. This system interrupts pain signals to the brain which reduces the feeling of pain in the effected region of the back or neck. The amount of pain relief varies for each person, as stimulation does not eliminate the source of pain, but rather interferes with pain signals. A spinal cord stimulator trial is a period of time in which patients can experience a temporary stimulator system in order to determine whether spinal cord stimulation will provide adequate pain relief. Should the patient enjoy significant benefits, a complete system with generator can be surgically implanted into the body.
WHAT CAUSES IT: Spinal cord stimulation is often considered when other treatment options and even prior back surgeries have failed. Spinal cord stimulation may alleviate chronic neck or back pain with or without associated pain in the legs and arms. While there is no single source to neck and back pain, a variety of existing conditions and injuries to the spinal cord may play a role in ongoing pain.
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WHAT IS IT: A spinal cord stimulator utilizes low voltage electrical current to stimulate the spinal cord. This system interrupts pain signals to the brain which reduces the feeling of pain in the affected region of the back or neck. The amount of pain relief varies for each person, as stimulation does not eliminate the source of pain, but rather interferes with pain signals. This is why implant candidates will undergo a trial period to determine if spinal cord stimulation will provide adequate pain relief. A surgical procedure to implant a complete stimulator system with generator may be considered following the use of a spinal cord stimulator trial
WHAT CAUSES IT: Spinal cord stimulation is often considered when other treatment options and even prior back surgeries have failed. Spinal cord stimulation may alleviate chronic neck or back pain with or without associated pain in the legs and arms. While there is no single source to neck and back pain, a variety of existing conditions and injuries to the spinal cord may play a role in ongoing pain.
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