Orthopedic Spine Care
Your spine plays a crucial role in maintaining movement, flexibility, and whole-body strength. When your spine gets injured, it can be incredibly painful and debilitating, even leaving some confined to their bed to avoid aggravating the pain. The spine is a unique and complex structure in your body, requiring more specialized orthopedic care than other joints like the knee or shoulder. That’s why the Great Falls Clinic orthopedic team provides tailored care for spine injuries and rehabilitation. Our team of spine specialists knows how to efficiently diagnose and effectively treat a variety of spine conditions and injuries. Whether you’re suffering from chronic back pain, a spine injury, or a degenerative condition, Great Falls Clinic can provide the care you need to address your pain and get you back to doing what you love.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar and Cervical Spine Procedures
The lumbar (lower) and cervical (upper) regions are the most mobile parts of your spine. As a result, they are the most vulnerable to injury from overextension or sudden, high-impact movement. Fortunately, there are a variety of surgeries that can effectively treat these injuries with a minimally invasive technique. Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) can help minimize damage to nearby tissues during the procedure, which can reduce post-operative pain and accelerate your recovery.
Great Falls Clinic offers the following MISS procedures for the lumbar and cervical spine:
- Spinal Fusion. Joins two or more vertebrae together to reduce motion, provide stability, and relieve pain from conditions like degenerative disc disease.
- Laminectomy. Removes the lamina, a small section of the vertebra, to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord or nerves to treat a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
- Laminoplasty. Creates more space within the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, typically for cervical spine injuries or pain.
- Disc replacement. Replaces a damaged or degenerated disc with an artificial disc (instead of fusion), preserving motion and restoring normal function.
- Foraminotomy. Enlarges the foramen, the small opening in the vertebra where nerve roots exit the spine, to reduce compression and pain.
General Spine Procedures
In addition to state-of-the-art MISS, Great Falls Clinic also offers a variety of procedures to provide the most comprehensive care for patients with spinal stenosis, herniated discs, fractures, and other spine-related injuries. We offer the following general spine procedures and treatments:
- Spinal Decompression. Removes or reconstructs bone, discs, or surrounding tissues that are compressing nerves and causing pain.
- Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty. Stabilizes compression fractures in the spine by injecting bone cement into the affected vertebra.
- Facet Joint Injections. Administers steroids and local anesthetics to the small joints between each vertebra to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation. Implants a small device under the skin to deliver mild electrical impulses to block pain signals before they reach the brain.
Cervical Arthroplasty
Cervical disc replacement, also known as cervical arthroplasty, is a cutting-edge procedure offered at Great Falls Clinic for patients with degenerative disc disease in their cervical spine. This procedure offers a less invasive alternative to a spinal fusion, where the damaged disc is replaced with an artificial disc composed of metals, polymers, and ceramics. Instead of fusing two vertebrae together and restricting mobility, arthroplasty preserves full motion in the cervical spine while also providing long-term relief from the pain and discomfort associated with a herniated or degenerative disc.
A cervical arthroplasty is a MISS that can be performed in an outpatient setting, meaning patients can go home within a few hours after surgery. The procedure takes approximately one to two hours and includes five key steps:
1. Incision. A small incision is made in the front of the neck to gain full access to the cervical spine.
2. Removal. The damaged or degenerated disc is carefully removed through the small incision.
3. Preparation. The empty space between the two vertebrae is prepared to receive the artificial disc.
4. Implantation. The artificial disc is placed into the prepared space, closing the gap between the vertebrae.
5. Closure. The incision is closed and the area is bandaged.
The procedure is generally considered to be safe, but there are certain risks associated with orthopedic surgery, such as bleeding, infection, reactions to anesthesia, temporary hoarseness, and nerve injury. That’s why it’s important to choose an orthopedic provider that sub-specializes in spine surgery and understands how to mitigate these risks as much as possible. Throughout your care, your Great Falls Clinic team will discuss why cervical arthroplasty may be the best option for you, providing the information and resources you need to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to live free from neck pain!
Great Falls Clinic Is Dedicated to Helping You Live Pain-Free!
At Great Falls Clinic, we’re proud that our patients trust us with their spine care. We take a holistic approach to each patient’s care, customizing each treatment plan to get to the root of each injury or condition and provide long-term relief. Our experienced board certified spine surgeons will work with you to determine the best treatment for your spine, factoring in your personal needs and preferences, to help you get back on your feet and enjoy a healthy, painless spine.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
