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Motion Preservation and Stability Solutions from Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic

Not every patient who has a spine condition needs to undergo a surgical procedure. However, there are cases where surgery is the only option to preserve motion and improve spinal stability. If you need to undergo surgery, it’s only natural to feel a little apprehensive about the process. Fortunately, medical advancements have expanded surgical options to include minimally invasive procedures that not only speed up recovery time but also provide an effective solution for a variety of spinal issues.

Motion Preservation

If you are seeking an alternative to avoid spinal fusions, consider motion preservation surgery. As a less invasive approach, this type of treatment incorporates newer surgical techniques while treating many of the same conditions as standard spinal surgery. Some of the advantages of motion preservation surgery include:

Reduce recovery and rehabilitation time
Improve spine movement and flexibility
Limit stress on adjacent discs
Decrease surgical blood loss

Motion preservation surgery is a viable option for a number of spine disorders including:

Herniated discs
Spinal stenosis
Sciatica nerve pain
Arthritis
Spondylolisthesis
Scoliosis
Kyphosis
Compression fractures

Cervical and Lumbar Arthroplasties

Cervical and lumbar spine arthroplasties are minimally invasive procedures, used to replace a damaged disc with an artificial one. Spinal discs are extremely important as they act as cushions or shock absorbers between vertebrae. When cervical or lumbar nerves are irritated or compressed, you may experience pain, tingling or numbness in the upper extremities including the neck, arms and hands. The general process of a cervical and lumbar spine arthroplasty is as follows:

Diagnostic imaging and a physical exam will be performed.
The surgeon will outline the risks and benefits before determining if surgery is a suitable option.
The procedure only requires a small incision at the affected site.
Post-operative instructions will be provided which may include the use of a brace, performing low-impact exercises and physical therapy.

Spinal Stability

Determining spine stability is important when deciding the need for operative or non-operative care. This can be achieved through a physical exam, diagnostic imaging and considering the pathology involved. Spinal stability can be related to one or more of the following sub-systems:

The spinal column including its ligaments
The nervous system which is responsible for controlling spinal movement
The muscles which actively move the spine

If any of these sub-systems are damaged, the other two sub-systems must compensate. As a result of this imbalance, you may experience spinal instability.

DTRAX® for Cervical Spinal Decompression and Stabilization

Minimally invasive cervical fusions are a fairly new treatment option used to relieve arm and neck pain due to herniated slipped discs, neck instability, stenosis or a prior failed neck surgery. The procedure is performed through small incisions whereby a set of single-use surgical instruments or DTRAX® Spinal System, is used in the process of cervical spinal decompression and stabilization. The instruments prepare the surfaces of the cervical spine for fusion and allow intervertebral cages to be inserted. The implant reduces the risk of spinal destabilization and allows patients to heal properly.

For motion preservation and stability solutions, contact Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic. Call us at (601) 366-1011 to make an appointment for a consultation. We’ll help you find a solution that works for you!