Spine Surgery: Treatments & Procedures

For most people, mild to moderate neck or back pain can be relieved with rest, at-home treatments and over-the-counter pain medication. Other patients may need more advanced non-operative care, such as:

 

• Aquatic therapy, which includes a variety of exercises performed in water, using its natural resistance to improve strength and flexibility gradually
• Integrative therapies, such as acupuncture and massage therapy 
• Pain management techniques such as medications, injections and other therapies that can ease pain and improve quality of life
• Physical therapy to treat spine conditions using strengthening exercises, stretching and ice/heat packs

 

Therapies performed with an injection (needle):

 

• Discography, an X-ray guided diagnostic procedure that involves injecting disks with a sterile dye.
• Epidural steroid injections (ESI) that treat irritated nerve roots directly with steroids.
• Facet and medial branch blocks, which are injections of local anesthesia directly into a joint in the spine (facet block) or near a nerve outside the joint (medial branch block).
• Facet rhizotomy, a procedure in which an electrothermal needle is inserted into a joint to deaden irritated nerves with heat.

An orthopedic surgeon can specialize in spine surgery to become a spine specialist. Orthopedic spine surgeons are experts on injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system with specialized training in spine surgery. 

Neurosurgeons also perform spine surgery, most commonly for injuries and specific conditions involving the brain, nerves and spinal cord.

The orthopedic spine specialists at Houston Methodist work collaboratively with our world-renowned neurosurgeons to treat all types of spine-related disorders, including back and neck pain, spinal cord pinching, congenital disorders, degenerative conditions, injuries and more.

Most patients with back pain do not require surgery. In some cases when other therapies don’t sufficiently relieve pain, surgery may be an option. Our board-certified surgeons perform minimally invasive spine surgery to correct spinal problems through small incisions using special equipment, avoiding many of the potential complications of open surgery. 

Decompressive spinal surgery can relieve pressure on affected nerves, disks and the spinal cord. Some of these procedures include: 

 

• Laminectomy to remove the lamina (part of the vertebral bone) and relieve pressure on the spinal cord. This can occur on the upper, middle or lower part of the spine. 
• Lumbar microscopic discectomy to remove herniated disk material in the lumbar (lower) spine that is pressing on a spinal nerve.
• Cervical laminoplasty to relieve pressure on the nerves in the cervical (upper) spine by cutting the lamina on both sides of the affected vertebrae.
• Cervical microscopic foraminotomy to enlarge the space through which a nerve root exits the spinal cord, known as the neural foramen, in the cervical (upper) spine.

 

Advanced surgical techniques can successfully reduce pain and prevent permanent injury. Houston Methodist’s board-certified spine surgeons have the expertise to perform delicate, innovative procedures, such as:

 

• Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), which allows surgeons to correct spinal problems through small incisions using special equipment, avoiding potential complications of open surgery.
• Total disk replacement (arthroplasty), a surgical procedure to replace a degenerated intervertebral disk in the cervical or lumbar spine.
• Cervical spinal fusion surgery joins (fuses), in which selected bones in the neck are connected to provide stability and stimulate the growth of new bone.
• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), which is a surgical procedure to remove herniated disk material and decompress the nerves in the cervical spine. ACDF is performed through the front of the neck.
• Posterior cervical fusion (PCF) to fuse the bones in the back of the cervical spine to relieve pressure and provide stability.
• Resection (removal) of spinal tumors to relieve compression on the spinal cord.
• Spinal radiosurgery (SRS) to precisely deliver high doses of radiation to spinal tumors, limiting exposure to healthy surrounding structures.
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), a procedure to implant in the back a small pulse generator, which emits electrical pulses that interfere with the nerve impulses that cause pain.
• Intrathecal pain pumps, which are devices implanted in the abdomen that deliver medication directly to the spinal cord.

 

Our operating rooms feature the latest technology, such as active electrode monitoring (AEM) instrumentation for all laparoscopic surgeries — a state-of-the-art monitoring system. 

We understand that you may be worried about pain, recovery and when you can get back to daily activities after surgery. Recovery time can vary, and your surgeon will let you know what to expect.

The best doctor for spine problems depends on the patient’s spinal condition and diagnosis. Your primary care provider will refer you to a specific spine specialist based on your type of spinal condition, location of spinal condition, intended surgery (if necessary) and individual needs. 

Orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons follow similar training on the path to becoming a spine specialist, and then may choose to subspecialize in additional treatment areas (e.g., pediatrics, cervical spine, lumbar spine). Your provider may choose the best doctor based on their subspecialty, as opposed to whether they are a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. 

The orthopedic spine specialists at Houston Methodist work collaboratively with our world-renowned neurosurgeons to treat all types of spine-related disorders, including back and neck pain, spinal cord pinching, congenital disorders, degenerative conditions, injuries and more.

Our doctors use state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies that allow us to build a targeted treatment plan unique to you. For most people, mild to moderate neck or back pain can be relieved with rest, at-home treatments and over-the-counter pain medication. Other patients may need more advanced nonsurgical spine care, such as: 

• Aquatic therapy
• Integrative therapies, such as acupuncture and massage therapy
• Pain management techniques such as medications, injections and other therapies
• Physical therapy to treat spine conditions using strengthening exercises, stretching and ice/heat packs 
  
  

Spine surgery can be an effective solution for the following spine issues:

 

• Degenerative disk disease or herniated disks
• Fractures or injuries to bones in the spine
• Spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (abnormal curvatures of the spine)
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Spondylolisthesis (when one vertebra in the lower back slips forward on top of another)
• Weak or unstable spine caused by infection or tumors

You can receive the same high-quality back, neck and spine care from us at every one of our Houston Methodist spine care locations throughout the Greater Houston area.

Our highly specialized team of spine surgeons, spine specialists and staff include experts in all types of back, neck and spine conditions.

We understand that the decision to seek professional care for a painful spine condition is a big step. Whether you are looking for a diagnosis or a second opinion, we’re here to help. Houston Methodist’s spine experts have the training to diagnose your condition and help you find relief. Our compassionate team can discuss treatment options and design a personalized care plan that works for you.