Back pain results when the spine is stressed by injury, poor posture, disease, wear and tear, or poor body mechanics. Acute low back pain is abrupt, intense pain that subsides after a period of days or weeks. It typically resolves with rest, exercise, and other self-care measures. Some people suffer from chronic pain that continues despite treatment. Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure performed to permanently join together one or more bony vertebrae. It will stop the motion in the painful area of your spine allowing you to return to a more normal lifestyle

We offer the Coflex procedure for treatment of spinal stenosis. For more information, please visit the Coflex website.

How Does this Procedure Work?

A minimally invasive fusion surgery entails permanently joining together one or more bony vertebrae of the spine. With a posterior approach, Dr. Raskas will make a small incision in the lower back. The muscles are gradually dilated (widened) with increasingly larger tubes to form a tunnel to the spine. Through this tube, the damaged disc is removed and a bone graft is inserted into the empty disc space. Over time, new bone growth will fuse the two vertebrae together. The surgery is done without splitting the back muscles. With an anterior approach, he will make a small incision in the lower abdomen. Dr. Raskas will gently move the front abdominal muscles to the side allowing access to the middle spinal column. Once the disc space is visible, he will remove the herniated disc and material that is pressing on the nerve roots. Dr. Raskas will then insert a device graft into the empty space.

Because every patient is unique and treatment options range from minimally invasive back surgery to advanced surgical procedures, recovery varies greatly among his patients and is dependent on the extent of your surgery, age and health.

For more information about a minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery or other spinal surgery options to treat back pain, contact Dr. David S. Raskas at call 314-442-4452.