Lumbar
Don’t let back pain put you on the sidelines.
The lumbar spine – or lower back – is made up of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine, between the ribs and pelvis. The spinal cord ends at the top of the lumbar spine, and the remaining nerve roots (called the cauda equina) descend the remainder of the spinal canal.
The lower back performs important functions, such as:
- Supports and stabilizes the upper body
- Allows movement in the trunk
- Protects the spinal cord and cauda equina
- Controls leg movements
While the lumbar spine is sturdy and resilient, it is also subject to a high degree of stress and loads, which may cause various problems that result in pain. When this happens, Dr. Albano specializes in a number of different procedures that can provide relief.
Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty
(Disc Replacement)
Pain in the lower back is one of the most common ailments treated by spine surgeons. When one of the lumbar discs is damaged or pinches the nerves, removing the diseased or injured disc and replacing it with an artificial lumbar disc can relieve pain and restore spinal mobility.
Lumbar disc arthroplasty can be an excellent choice for people with lower back pain that hasn’t been relieved through conservative measures such as physical therapy, medication, or other supportive treatments. You may be a candidate for lumbar disc arthroplasty if you have any of the following symptoms or conditions:
- Chronic low back pain that sometimes flares in intensity
- Low back pain that increases with bending or lifting
- Muscle cramps and/or spasms in the lower back
- Pain that radiates into the hip, buttock, or down the back of the leg
- Low back pain that may be relieved by changing positions frequently
After making an incision, Dr. Albano will remove the damaged disc and any bone pieces pressing on the nerves. After smoothing away any bone spurs, he will enhance the space between the two vertebral bones to accept the artificial lumbar disc. Dr. Albano then inserts the disc into the spine in proper alignment and closes the incision.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion
(ALIF, XLIF, MIS TLIF)
Lumbar fusion surgery is designed to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in your lower back (lumbar) to stop painful motion between the vertebrae by fusing them together. Most commonly, this type of surgery is performed to alleviate the pain and disability caused by conditions such as degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis, although it can be used to strengthen a weak or unstable lumbar spine, fractures, scoliosis, or deformity.
There are many different approaches to lumbar fusion, and all involve techniques designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones. During your lumbar spinal fusion, Dr. Albano places a bone graft, or bone-like material, within the space between two lumbar vertebrae. Metal plates, screws, and rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together as they heal into one solid unit.
Some of the lumbar fusion procedures Dr. Albano performs include:
ALIF
The ALIF (or Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) is one of the most frequently used spinal fusion techniques and is performed through the front of the body (anterior approach). Interbody fusion refers to the removal of an intervertebral disc, which is replaced with a spacer during the fusion process. A major advantage of anterior entry is that a larger and sturdier implant can be incorporated into the procedure.
XLIF
The XLIF (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion) procedure differs from the minimally invasive TLIF in that Dr. Albano accesses the disc space using a surgical approach from the side (lateral) through an incision just above the hip bone rather than from the front or back.
By definition, the XLIF procedure is a minimally invasive type of spine surgery, which means that there is a smaller incision made. And a smaller incision means:
- Less muscle disruption
- Les pain
- Less blood loss during surgery
- Reduced operation time
- Reduced post-operative pain
- Reduced hospital stays
- Reduced recovery time
Minimally Invasive TLIF
The TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) procedure has traditionally been performed as what is called an “open” technique, which required making a larger incision as well as cutting and retracting muscle and tissue. Although effective, the traditional TLIF requires a long recovery period of several weeks or months.
Dr. Albano, however, specializes in performing a minimally invasive TLIF. Dr. Albano first makes a small incision off the middle of your lower back and inserts a small tube through the incision until it “rests” on the spine. Using special surgical instruments, he then performs the entire TLIF procedure through the tube.
By working through the small tube instead of a traditional “open” incision, Dr. Albano can significantly reduce the amount of muscle and tissue he needs to cut or disrupt, and the amount of blood loss. This typically translates to a shorter hospital stay and faster patient recovery times.
