Spine Surgery

We address a wide range of spinal conditions, from degenerative diseases to tumors.

Cervical Myelopathy or Radiculopathy
Myelopathy refers to spinal cord compression in the neck, while radiculopathy involves pinched nerves. Myelopathy can lead to neck pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms or legs, balance issues, and even urinary incontinence. Radiculopathy can cause neck, shoulder, or arm pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
Cervical stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramina in the neck, most commonly caused by degenerative changes such as disc degeneration, osteophyte formation, or thickening of the spinal ligaments. This can lead to cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy.
Thoracic stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal in the mid-back, often as a result of degenerative changes such as disc degeneration, osteophyte formation, or thickening of the spinal ligaments. This can lead to compression of the spinal cord or nerves, which can result in back or flank pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs, difficulty walking, and even urinary incontinence.
Lumbar stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal in the low back, often as a result of degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. This can lead to compression of the spinal nerves which can cause leg pain or difficulty with walking. In severe cases, this can even cause symptoms of urinary incontinence or groin numbness.
Lumbar spondylolisthesis refers to a condition where one of the lumbar vertebra slips forwards or backwards over the one below it. This can lead to compression of the spinal nerves, which can cause back pain, leg pain, and numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs.
A disc herniation is a condition where a portion of the spinal disc pushes into the spinal canal, which can cause compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. This can cause symptoms of back and leg pain, or numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs.
A spine fracture can occur due to traumatic injury or conditions like osteoporosis, which can cause pain or spinal instability. In severe cases, fractures can even cause compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves.

Spine tumors can arise from the spinal cord, spinal nerves, or covering around the nerves. Tumors can also spread from other areas of the body to the spinal vertebrae, which can lead to pain, spinal instability, and spinal cord or nerve compression.

Spondylosis refers to age-related degenerative changes to the spine, often leading to back pain, stiffness, or even nerve compression. Spondylosis is a function of wear-and-tear to the body.

Flat back syndrome refers to a condition where the spine loses its normal curvature, causing posture-related problems and potentially back or leg pain. Flat back syndrome can occur as a result of prior fusion surgery, degenerative changes, or other structural changes (i.e. spinal fractures).

Adjacent segment disease refers to degeneration of the spine above or below a previously fused area of the spine. This condition often occurs as a result of altered biomechanics of the spine after a fusion surgery.

A Chiari malformation is a condition where brain tissue from the cerebellum extends into the spinal canal, potentially causing headaches and balance issues.
Scoliosis refers to an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that may cause uneven posture or back pain. Scoliosis can occur during adolescence, or develop during adulthood as a result of progressively worsening degeneration of the spine.

Spine Surgery Procedures

Dr. Min performs a full range of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine procedures, from minimally invasive decompression to complex deformity correction and spinal tumor removal.

Cervical Spine Surgery

Procedures for the neck, used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves and stabilize or preserve motion in the cervical spine.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure used to treat pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the neck. It is commonly performed for cervical disc herniation, cervical stenosis, and degenerative changes that cause neck pain, arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

During an ACDF, the surgeon makes a small incision in the front of the neck to remove the disc and any osteophytes in order to relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. A spacer with bone graft are then placed in the disc space to restore alignment and allow the vertebrae to fuse. A small titanium plate is then used to lock the spacer in place.

The goal of an ACDF is to relieve nerve or spinal cord compression, improve symptoms, and stabilize the cervical spine.

Posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion is a surgical procedure used to treat pressure on the spinal cord caused by cervical stenosis, often related to arthritis, bone spurs, or other degenerative changes. Symptoms may include neck pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty with balance, or problems with coordination.

During surgery, the surgeon approaches the spine from the back of the neck and removes the back of the vertebrae to create more space for the spinal cord. Screws, rods, and bone graft are then placed to stabilize the spine and allow the treated vertebrae to fuse.

The goal of surgery is to relieve spinal cord compression, prevent further neurological decline, and stabilize the cervical spine.

Cervical disc arthroplasty, also known as cervical disc replacement, is a surgical procedure used to treat a damaged or herniated cervical disc that is causing pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord. Symptoms may include neck pain, arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

During surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the front of the neck and removes the damaged disc, replacing it with an artificial disc. The replacement disc is designed to maintain motion between the vertebrae while relieving pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.

The goal of cervical disc arthroplasty is to relieve symptoms, preserve natural motion in the neck, and reduce stress on the surrounding spinal levels.

Cervical laminoplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that places pressure on the spinal cord. This condition may cause neck pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty with balance, or problems with coordination.

During surgery, the surgeon approaches the spine from the back of the neck. The back of the vertebrae is then drilled and opened to create more space for the spinal cord. The expanded opening is secured in place with small plates while preserving motion in the neck.

The goal of cervical laminoplasty is to relieve spinal cord compression, preserve cervical spine motion, and prevent further neurological decline.

Minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat pressure on a spinal nerve in the neck, often caused by a herniated disc or bone spurs. Symptoms may include neck pain, arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Through a small incision in the back of the neck, the surgeon removes a small amount of bone and other tissue to enlarge the opening where the nerve exits the spinal canal. This relieves pressure on the nerve without removing the entire disc or destabilizing the spine.

The goal of surgery is to relieve nerve compression, improve arm symptoms, and preserve natural motion of the cervical spine.

Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Surgery

Procedures for the mid and lower back, ranging from targeted decompression to fusion from the back, side, or front of the body.
Laminectomy

Laminectomy is a surgical procedure used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by spinal stenosis, bone spurs, disc herniation, or other conditions that narrow the spinal canal. Symptoms may include back or leg pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, or problems with balance and coordination.

Depending on the location and extent of compression, laminectomy can be performed through a traditional open approach or using minimally invasive techniques. During surgery, part of the bone and other tissues narrowing the spinal canal are removed to create more space for the spinal cord or nerves. Open surgery is done through a midline linear incision. Minimally invasive surgery is done through a small incision, resulting in less blood loss and decreased risk of infection.

The goal of laminectomy is to relieve spinal cord or nerve compression, improve or stabilize neurological symptoms, and improve mobility and function.

Posterior spinal fusion is a procedure used to treat conditions that cause spinal instability, deformity, or nerve compression, including spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, and degenerative spine disease. These conditions can cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty with mobility.

During surgery, the spine is approached from the an incision in the back. The surgeon may decompress the spinal cord or nerves and place screws, rods, and bone graft to stabilize and realign the spine. The treated vertebrae are then fused together to create a stable segment of the spine.

The goal of posterior spinal fusion is to stabilize and realign the spine, relieve nerve or spinal cord compression, and improve pain and function.

Lumbar microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a herniated disc in the lumbar spine that is pushing on a spinal nerve. Symptoms may include lower back pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg.

Through a small incision, the surgeon uses a tube with specialized instruments and a microscope to remove the portion of the herniated disc that is compressing the nerve. The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerve while preserving as much of the healthy disc and surrounding structures as possible.

The goal of lumbar microdiscectomy is to relieve nerve compression, improve leg pain and neurological symptoms, and help restore mobility and function.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a spinal fusion procedure used to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal deformity. These conditions can cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, or weakness.

During LLIF, the surgeon approaches the spine from the side of the body rather than through the back. The damaged disc is removed and replaced with a spacer containing bone graft to restore disc height and alignment. Additional screws and rods may be used to stabilize the spine and support fusion.

The goal of LLIF is to restore spinal alignment, relieve pressure on the nerves, improve stability, and reduce back and leg pain while minimizing disruption to the surrounding muscles and tissues.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a spinal fusion procedure used to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal deformity. These conditions can cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, or weakness.

During ALIF, the surgeon accesses the spine through an incision in the front of the abdomen with the assistance of an access surgeon. The disc is removed and replaced with a spacer containing bone graft to restore disc height and alignment. Additional screws and rods may be used to provide stability while the vertebrae fuse.

The goal of ALIF is to restore spinal alignment, relieve pressure on the nerves, improve stability, and reduce back and leg pain.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a spinal fusion procedure used to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal instability. These conditions can cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, or weakness.

TLIF can be performed through a traditional open approach or a minimally invasive approach. During TLIF, the surgeon approaches the spine from the back and removes the damaged disc as well as any bone and ligament that is compressing the nerves. A spacer containing bone graft is placed between the vertebrae to restore disc height and alignment. Screws and rods are then used to stabilize the spine while the vertebrae fuse.

The goal of TLIF is to relieve nerve compression, restore spinal stability and alignment, and reduce back and leg pain.

Complex and Advanced Spine Surgery

Deformity correction, robotic-assisted surgery, and removal of tumors within the spinal canal.
Spinal Deformity Correction

Spinal deformity correction surgery is used to treat significant curvature or imbalance of the spine, including scoliosis, kyphosis, and flat back syndrome. These conditions can cause back pain, difficulty standing or walking, nerve compression, and progressive changes in spinal alignment.

Depending on the type and severity of the deformity, surgery may involve releasing areas of the spine by removing bone and ligament, correcting alignment, and using screws, rods, interbody spacers, and bone graft to realign and stabilize the spine. Multiple approaches to the spine, including lateral, anterior, and posterior approaches, may be used to achieve optimal correction of the deformity.

The goal of spinal deformity correction is to restore spinal alignment and balance, relieve nerve compression and pain, and improve stability and function.

Robotic spine surgery uses advanced robotic technology and computer-assisted navigation to help surgeons plan and perform complex spinal procedures with greater precision. It may be used for procedures such as spinal fusion and the placement of screws and other implants.

Before surgery, detailed imaging is used to create a personalized surgical plan. During the procedure, navigation and robotic guidance help the surgeon accurately position implants while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues.

Robotic technology is designed to enhance surgical precision, improve implant placement, and support minimally invasive techniques when appropriate. The specific approach depends on each patient’s condition, anatomy, and surgical needs. Robotic surgery is primarily used as an adjunct for thoracic and lumbar fusion surgery.

Intradural spine tumor surgery refers to a surgical procedure used to remove tumors that develop within the protective covering of the spinal cord and nerves. These tumors can place pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, causing back pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, or other neurological symptoms. Surgery can be performed in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine.

During surgery, the surgeon first removes the back of the spinal canal. He/she then opens the protective covering around the spinal cord or nerves and removes the tumor. Advanced imaging, microsurgical techniques, and intraoperative monitoring are used to help guide the procedure and preserve neurological function.

The goal of surgery is to safely remove the tumor and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

What to Expect

Patients often what to expect when having procedures. We’ve put together some guidelines to help clarify patient expectations.

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