Nerve pain coming from the spine can be a debilitating condition, limiting your mobility and disrupting your daily life. Fortunately, advances in spine surgery have led to motion preservation procedures that relieve pain without significantly limiting your range of motion. Dr. Jeremy Smith, a leading spine surgeon in Orange County, offers a variety of cutting-edge treatments designed to preserve motion and improve your quality of life. In this blog, we’ll explore the top eight motion preservation surgeries for back pain that Dr. Smith performs.
1. Artificial Disc Arthroplasty
Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a revolutionary procedure that replaces damaged spinal discs with artificial ones, helping to preserve mobility in the affected area. Unlike traditional spinal fusion, total disc replacement allows patients to maintain the natural motion of their spine. This procedure is often recommended for individuals suffering from degenerative disc disease or herniated discs, offering pain relief without compromising flexibility. This procedure can be done in both the cervical and lumbar spine.
2. Minimally Invasive Discectomy
Endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove herniated disc material that’s pressing on spinal nerves, causing pain and discomfort. By using small incisions and specialized instruments, this surgery minimizes damage to surrounding tissues while maintaining spinal mobility. Patients who undergo this procedure typically experience faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery.
3. Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy
This minimally invasive surgery is designed to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves in the cervical spine caused by herniated discs or bone spurs. During the procedure, Dr. Smith removes the portion of the disc or bone causing compression, alleviating pain while preserving the motion in the neck. Patients benefit from faster recovery and maintained flexibility.
4. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a non-fusion, motion-preserving treatment for chronic back pain that involves implanting a small device under the skin to send electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses interfere with pain signals before they reach the brain, providing relief without the need for more invasive surgeries. SCS is an excellent option for patients with nerve-related pain who want to avoid surgery altogether.
5. Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
Lumbar decompression is used to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves caused by conditions like spinal stenosis. Through small incisions, Dr. Smith removes bone or tissue that’s compressing the nerves, which helps to alleviate pain while preserving spinal motion. This minimally invasive approach reduces recovery time and avoids the need for spinal fusion.
6. Dynamic Stabilization
Dynamic stabilization is an innovative procedure that involves the use of flexible devices to support the spine while maintaining its natural range of motion. Unlike traditional fusion, which locks the vertebrae in place, dynamic stabilization systems allow for controlled motion, reducing pain while preserving flexibility. This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients with mild to moderate spinal instability.
7. Laminoplasty
Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord in the cervical spine while preserving motion. Unlike a traditional laminectomy, which removes part of the bone and restricts motion, laminoplasty involves expanding the spinal canal, allowing for decompression without compromising neck flexibility.
8. Coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization
Coflex® is an FDA-approved device used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. It’s a motion-preserving alternative to traditional fusion, providing stability and support to the spine while still allowing for normal movement. Dr. Smith may recommend this procedure for patients who want relief from stenosis-related pain without losing mobility.
9. XLIF (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion)
XLIF is a minimally invasive procedure used to access the spine through a small incision in the side of the body. This lateral approach reduces the need for muscle dissection, preserving more of the spinal structures that are important for motion. Although the name includes "fusion," the approach is less invasive than traditional methods, allowing for quicker recovery and maintaining flexibility in surrounding spinal segments.
10. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) with Motion Preservation Techniques
While ACDF is traditionally a fusion surgery, Dr. Smith employs advanced techniques to preserve as much motion as possible, especially when combined with motion-preserving devices. This procedure is often used for patients with severe cervical disc problems but is performed in a way that minimizes the long-term impact on the surrounding spine.
Why Motion Preservation Matters
Choosing a motion preservation surgery means that you can relieve your back or neck nerve pain without sacrificing flexibility and movement in your spine. These procedures are designed to maintain the natural biomechanics of the spine, reducing the risk of complications like adjacent segment degeneration. For many patients, motion-preserving surgeries also mean faster recovery times and a quicker return to normal activities.
If you’re experiencing nerve pain coming from your back and want to avoid losing mobility, Dr. Jeremy Smith offers a wide range of motion preservation surgeries that can relieve your back pain while maintaining the flexibility of your spine. From artificial disc replacement to dynamic stabilization, these advanced procedures are designed to improve your quality of life without limiting your movement. Contact Dr. Smith’s office in Orange County today to schedule a consultation and find out which motion-preserving treatment is right for you.
