My Orthopedic Surgery

Patient Information
Imaging guidelines exist as described for scoliosis. With the patient erect, radiographs are taken to show side-to-side alignment. Spinal radiographs are sometimes taken with the patient erect and supine are helpful to document flexibility of a rigid deformity. Specialized imaging studies (CT scan, MRI, bone scan) are used as required.

Definition A laminectomy is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes a portion of the bony arch, or lamina, on the dorsal surface of a vertebra, which is one of the bones that make up the human spinal column. It is done to relieve back pain that has not been helped by more conservative treatments. In most cases a laminectomy is an elective procedure rather than emergency surgery. A laminectomy for relief of pain in the lower back is called a lumbar laminectomy or an open decompression. Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

SCOI Presents Laminotomy/Microdiscectomy
To alleviate the pain of a ruptured or herniated intervetebral disc, a Laminotomy/Microdiscectomy may be performed. This surgical procedure is carried out in two steps beginning with the laminotomy. Lamina is the Latin name given to the bone protecting the spinal canal, and otomy means opening or hole. The laminotomy simply opens up the spinal canal in order to visualize the pinched nerve root. Once this is accomplished, the second procedure, the microdiscectomy, is performed.

Scoliosis in an adult can lead to significant pain and disability. Non-operative treatment is not always successful in treating this condition and thus in a small group of patients surgical treatment may be considered. The operative care for adult scoliosis is complex and requires and experienced team. Even in the very best centers the results are not always good and complications are unfortunately not uncommon. There are a number of things which may not go as planned in the setting of adult scoliosis. The surgery is often long, blood loss may be heavy and risks of nerve irritation/injury, infection and poor healing are high. Even after the initial surgical period, complications or poor results may become apparent due to loss of proper spinal balance (flatback, kyphotic decompensation syndrome, flatbuttock), failure of good bone healing (pseudarthrosis) and degeneration or failure of unfused levels of the spine (decompensation, instability).

Overview of treatments
If you suddenly start feeling pain in your lower back or hip that radiates down from your buttock to the back of one thigh and into your leg, your problem may be a protruding disk in your lower spinal column pressing on the roots to your sciatic nerve. Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for weeks before it goes away. You may have pain, especially when you sit, sneeze or cough. You may also feel weakness, "pins and needles" numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation down your leg. See a doctor to have your condition diagnosed and start a course of treatment

AAOS Online Service Patient Education Brochures Scoliosis

links to information containing spinal disorders and treatments.

Definition Spinal fusion is a procedure that promotes the fusing, or growing together, of two or more vertebrae in the spine. Purpose Spinal fusion is performed to: Straighten a spine deformed by scoliosis, neuromuscular disease, cerebral palsy, or other disorder. Prevent further deformation. Support a spine weakened by infection or tumor. Reduce or prevent pain from pinched or injured nerves. Compensate for injured vertebrae or disks. The goal of spinal fusion is to unite two or more vertebrae to prevent them from moving independently of each other. This may be done to improve posture, increase ability to ventilate the lungs, prevent pain, or treat spinal instability and reduce the risk of nerve damage. Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Definition Spinal instrumentation is a method of keeping the spine rigid after spinal fusion surgery by surgically attaching hooks, rods, and wire to the spine in a way that redistributes the stresses on the bones and keeps them in proper alignment while the bones of the spine fuse. Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

In-depth information on osteoarthritis of the spine (or spinal arthritis), including diagnosis and strategies for osteoarthritis pain relief such as arthritis medications and exercise. Written and peer reviewed by physicians who specialize in spine medicine.

AAOS Online Service Fact SheetSpinal Stenosis

Produced exclusively for Spine-health.com, these interactive spine anatomy and back surgery animations provide a clear picture of spine anatomy, explain the common causes of neck and back pain and outline treatments such as back surgery and injections.

Fact sheet including diagnostic tests and treatment options

In Depth Review of Scoliosis - Common Types (Idiopathic)

3D animations of spine problems and spine surgery.