Lumbar Spine Surgery

When is lumbar spine surgery recommended?

Dr. Atlas recommends lumbar spine surgery for patients who’ve tried conservative treatments without success. Most surgeries are recommended to alleviate one or more of the following conditions:

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Scoliosis
• Spinal tumors or cancer of the spine
• Burst fractures

These surgeries can relieve your back pain and any associated symptoms you have like leg pain, numbness and tingling, or muscle weakness.

What types of lumbar spine surgeries are there?

Dr. Atlas performs a variety of lumbar spine surgeries using the highest quality surgical equipment and medical-grade implants available. Surgical options include:

Lumbar discectomy

Dr. Atlas performs minimally invasive discectomies which involve removal of the portion of your spinal disc that is compressing nerves in the area and causing your symptoms. This is often a same-day surgery.

Lumbar laminectomy

A lumbar laminectomy is surgery to remove a part of your vertebra called the lamina. If you have spinal stenosis, removing the lamina increases the space around your spinal cord and nerves to relieve symptoms.

Lumbar corpectomy

A lumbar corpectomy involves removal of all or a majority of one of your lumbar vertebrae before replacing it with spacers. 

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion

During this surgery, Dr. Atlas operates from the front of your body by making an incision on your stomach. Using small surgical tools, he removes damaged portions of the lumbar disc and inserts a bone graft or other material to fuse that area of your spine.

Posterior lumbar fusion

This type of lumbar fusion is performed through a small incision in your back. In many cases, it’s minimally invasive surgery, though it can be combined with anterior interbody fusions, if appropriate.

Total disc replacement or artificial disc replacement

This procedure is similar to an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, but the damaged disc is replaced without fusing the involved vertebrae.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

This procedure is performed through an incision in your back. Dr. Atlas removes damaged disc tissue and replaces it with a spacer before fusing the vertebrae. This procedure is usually combined with a posterior spinal fusion for greater stability.

Dr. Atlas aims to provide the most conservative and effective surgical solutions so you can heal and feel your best.

What type of lumbar spine surgery is right for me?

To determine which procedure or combination of procedures is best for you, discuss your condition and symptoms with Dr. Atlas. He performs a thorough exam and obtains up-to-date X-rays and MRIs to determine the best course of treatment for your case.

To schedule a consultation at Atlas Spine, call or click to book online now.