KBNI Minimally Invasive and Open Surgery Procedures for Pain in the Back

In those instances where minimally invasive or open surgery is deemed the preferred solution to pain in the low back, Dr. Kraus performs the following procedures:

• Artificial Disc placement (spine arthroplasty) - an alternative to spinal fusion, the discs may be made of metal and/or plastic material. If successful allows for greater range of movement.
• Intrathecal Pain Pump - a battery-driven pump that delivers concentrated pain medication to control chronic pain in the back. The battery usually lasts about seven years before replacement is required. In addition to correcting a vertebral fracture through the use of bone cement, kyphoplasty is used to correct spine deformity and to increase the height of the disc
• Lumbar Discectomy – removal of a herniated lumbar disc through the back with the aid of an operating microscope.
• Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy – use of endoscope with x-ray or CT guidance to remove herniated disc material that may is impinging upon the spine and/or peripheral nerve root
• Lumbar Foraminotomy - involves the removal of bone and tissue that may be irritating the nerve exiting through the foramen
• Lumbar Facetectomy – removal of the facet joint to relieve pain requiring fusion
• Lumbar Fusion – this procedure is performed on the lumbar vertebrae to relieve pressure on a nerve by fusing two of more vertebrae to stabilize the lower spine. Instrumentation may be used to ensure stability.
• Minimally Invasive Lumbar Surgery – approach uses smaller incisions and causes less damage to muscles and ligaments. Multiple approach alternatives – front, back or side – can be chosen as can the use of fiber optic endoscopic devices. This surgery usually results in faster recovery times, less blood loss, with no, or limited, need for blood transfusion.
• Spinal Cord Stimulator (neurostimulator) – an open surgical approach to relieve chronic back pain caused by nerve root compression or degenerative disc disease via the insertion of a pulse generating device placed near the spinal cord or spinal nerve. The device can be adjusted to modulate the pain and is often used in cases where other pain management alternatives have failed.