Spine surgery
The latest advances in diagnostic techniques, combined with state-of-the-art instrumentation and materials, have recently created a vanguard of new procedures and exciting improvements to familiar protocols for treating spinal problems. One of the major new developments in spine surgery today is the ability to perform minimally- invasive procedures.The result of this surgical method, which allows smaller incisions, is less scarring and pain, and faster recovery times. Today, 50 percent of all orthopoedic surgeries at Saint Joseph’s are minimally invasive.Saint Joseph’s surgeons performed the first total spinal disk implant using the first artificial disc approved in the United States. Made of cobalt chrome with a polyethylene core, the disk allows maximum bending and flexion, preserving motion in the spine which is typically reduced by the standard spinal fusion..
A few of the other, breakthrough techniques in spine surgery being performed at Saint Joseph’s include:
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Implanting artificial discs to preserve anatomical motion, to reduce pain, and to prevent the discs above and below the artificial disk from wearing out
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Use of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2), a protein that actually induces the formation of bone and cartilage, allowing bone to form without need for a hip graph
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Use of spinal cages
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Advances in the treatment of the cervical spine with new technology such as disc arthroplasty
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Kyphoplasty—a treatment for spine fractures caused by osteoporosis
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Microdiscectomy
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Spinal Fusion
For more information on orthopaedic services, call 1-866-661–ORTHO or 1-866-661-6784.
