Spine care

Our skilled spine surgeons provide advanced surgery options when more conservative methods aren't effective at treating your neck and back pain. These surgeons work with pain physicians, physical therapists and nurses to make sure you are well-informed and as comfortable as possible before, during and after your procedure.

Because of this multispecialty program and our dedication to excellence in spine care, we've been named to Healthgrades' 100 best hospitals for spine surgery.

If you are experiencing pain, weakness, numbness and/or tingling, you may have a cervical disc herniation. A herniated disc can be removed through an anterior approach (through the front of the neck) to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviate corresponding symptoms.

During this procedure, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed. This relieves pinching of the nerve and gives more room for the nerve to heal.

A spinal fusion helps treat degenerative disc disease, spinal deformities and spinal instability. Your doctor may recommend a spinal fusion when physical therapy and exercise do not alleviate your symptoms.

During this procedure, a metal or plastic graft is used to fuse the two vertebrae so there is no longer any motion between them. This procedure reduces some of the pressure on your nerves and helps reduce your pain and risk for a nerve injury.

Lumbar disc replacement involves replacing a damaged or degenerated disc in the lower part of the spine with an artificial disc. This procedure is often viewed as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery.

Cervical spine surgery can treat nerve and spinal cord impingement as well as spinal instability.

During this surgery, a bone graft is used either in front or behind the spine to fuse the vertebrae back together. This relieves pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. It also restores nerve function by stopping or preventing abnormal movement of the spine.

Spinal stenosis surgery relieves short- and long-term pain from lumbar spinal stenosis. This condition occurs when the spinal canal in the lower part of the back becomes compressed, which puts pressure on the nerves. The following procedures may be performed to relieve stress on the spinal canal:

• Foraminotomy: a procedure that enlarges the area around one of the bones in the spinal column to relieve pressure on compressed nerves
• Laminectomy: a procedure that creates space by removing a portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina
• Spinal fusion surgery: a procedure in which a metal or plastic graft is used to fuse two vertebrae so there is no longer any motion between them

We were the first community hospital in Florida and the Southeastern region to offer AR-guided spine surgery. The technology allows your surgeon to “see” your spine in 3D through the skin during minimally invasive spine surgery. Because your surgeon has better control and visualization, this may lead to easier, faster and safer surgeries.

Similar to a real-time GPS, this technology lets your surgeon know exactly where to place the implants based on your unique anatomy. The AR-guided spine surgery is different from other image guidance systems as it allows surgeons to maintain their focus directly on you, rather than a distant screen displaying the surgery location.

Our highly skilled neuroradiologists will work with you to determine the best treatment based on your individual situation. They may recommend a minimally invasive procedure, such as:

Vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive spinal procedure that relieves pain from vertebral compression fractures. This procedure uses imaging guidance to inject the fractured vertebra with cement and is often performed if you:

• Cannot undergo open spine surgery due to older age
• Have vertebral compression due to a tumor
• Have osteoporosis due to a metabolic disorder

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spine procedure that relieves the pain of vertebral compression fractures by inserting a balloon to inject the fractured vertebra with cement.

Endoscopic spinal surgery

Endoscopic spinal surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an endoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera attached) to treat conditions, such as spinal arthritis, disc herniations and spinal stenosis.