Vertebral augmentation with osteotome
Introduction The incidence of vertebral compression fracture is estimated at 800,000 per year in the United States, and they often result in hospitalization. Osteoporotic compression fractures affect 30% to 50%…
Perioperative care for vertebral augmentation
Preoperative care Various procedures are used today for vertebral augmentation, including percutaneous vertebroplasty, balloon augmentation, vertebral osteotomy augmentation, and kyphoplasty—for example, the SpineJack system (Stryker, Michigan, USA). Preoperative, intraoperative, and…
Patient selection for vertebral augmentation
Introduction There is no shortage of health consequences of aging. Osteoporosis, low bone mineral density, and associated vertebral fractures have been a leading cause of diminished quality of life for…
Anatomic/physiologic (indirect) decompression
Introduction Low back pain is a common condition affecting up to 80% of adults in the United States over the course of their lives. This pain is often caused by…
Laminotomy
Introduction Direct decompression of the spinal cord through laminectomy and removal of ligaments has been a traditionally common treatment for central canal stenosis. During laminectomy, there is a successive removal…
Interspinous spacer
Introduction The interspinous spacer procedure provides patients with a minimally invasive solution that is designed to deliver long-term relief from the leg and back pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis…
Methods for percutaneous discectomy
Introduction Acute back pain can be severe and debilitating, and if not appropriately treated, can lead to recurrent symptoms in the majority of paitents. One of the leading causes of…
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression
Introduction Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) is an image-guided approach used in the treatment of symptomatic lumbar central spinal stenosis. This procedure is a good option for patients who are…
Measuring outcomes in spinal decompression
Introduction In patients with spinal disorders that warrant spinal decompression, the goal of intervention is to enhance function and reduce pain. In the past, outcomes were commonly assessed based on…
Cervical and lumbar foraminotomy for the management of chronic radicular back pain
Introduction Foraminal stenosis and herniated discs are common pathologies seen in primary care and chronic pain clinics. The radicular pain caused by these anatomic abnormalities may be difficult to manage…
