Treatment Options for Orthopaedic Spinal Disorders

At our Orthopaedic Spine Center, we are committed to a minimally invasive approach, when possible. Our team will work with you to create a reasonable, effective treatment plan that meets your needs.

We offer a wide range of treatments, including:

• Surgery focusing on:
  • Minimally invasive treatments
  • Percutaneous techniques: Procedures performed through the skin rather than with open surgical procedures
• Nonsurgical interventions
• Rehabilitation and conditioning programs
• Integrated care coordinated with our Chronic Pain Services

Surgical Procedures for Orthopaedic Spinal Disorders

Our experienced spinal surgeons perform the full spectrum of surgical procedures, including:

• Cervical, thoracic and lumbar procedures: A range of surgical procedures to repair or relieve back pain, including discectomies and decompressions.
• Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty: Bone cement is injected into the fracture or fusion procedures to stabilize the area of injury.
• Microdiscectomy: A minimally invasive surgery to remove herniated disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
• Open and microlaminectomy: Minimally invasive spine surgeries that relieve pressure on the nerves and spinal cord to reduce back pain and/or leg pain.
• Open and minimally invasive fusion: Procedures to correct an unstable spine by joining two or more vertebrae.
• Tumor excision and reconstruction: Procedures to remove a tumor and rebuild the surrounding area.
• Scoliosis and kyphosis deformity correction: Procedures to correct curvature of the spine or spine deformities.
• Stabilization of spinal fractures and dislocations: Surgery may involve vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty where bone cement is injected into the fracture or fusion procedures to stabilize the area of injury.
• Total disc replacement: Degenerated (deteriorated) discs in the spinal column are replaced with artificial devices in the lumbar or cervical spine.

Nonsurgical Interventions for Orthopaedic Spinal Disorders

Our team offers the latest nonsurgical interventions to treat spinal disorders and relieve pain:

• Discography: An injection technique used to evaluate individuals with back pain for surgery who have not responded to nonsurgical methods.
• Epidural steroids: Pain-killing medication is injected into a small space in the back or neck to relieve local inflammation, such as bulging discs, arthritis or ligament strain. Learn more about epidural steroids.
• Facet joint injections: Injections of medications into the spinal facet joints, located between each set of vertebrae in the spine from the neck to the tailbone.
• IDET (intradiscal electrothermal therapy): A minimally invasive treatment for spinal disc-related chronic low back pain.
• Nerve root blocks: An injection of anti-inflammatories into the sheath surrounding a nerve root in the spine to temporarily decrease pain.
• Radiofrequency ablation: A minimally invasive procedure that uses a heat-generating, electrode-tipped catheter that stops the nerve from sending pain signals. Learn more about radiofrequency ablation.
• Trigger point injections: Injection of anesthetic and/or corticosteroids into tissues or muscles of the spine.
• Nucleoplasty: A minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that has helps decompress bulging discs in the back or neck.

Rehabilitation and Conditioning Programs for Orthopaedic Spinal Disorders

A number of rehabilitation programs to relieve pain and prevent further injury are available:

• Physical and occupational therapy: May include a regimen of exercise, tissue manipulation and other treatments to maximize function in specific body parts and relieve pain.
• Back-to-school referral to help prevent future injury
• Spine rehabilitation programs: Rehabilitation of a spinal injury begins during the acute treatment phase. As the patient's condition improves, a more extensive rehabilitation program is often started.
• Dietary counseling with Stanford nutritionists

Treatment for Spinal Disorders: Coordinated with Stanford Chronic Pain Services

Our Orthopaedic Spine Center works with Stanford Chronic Pain Services, offering integrated care to provide you with pain relief. We offer:

• Biologic therapy: Treatment with substances that are made naturally in the body or that can block the growth of cancer cells. Learn more about biologic therapy.
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): A type of electrical stimulation therapy that produces a gentle current to stimulate muscles and help control or relieve pain.
• Peripheral nerve block: Depending on the location of the pain, a nerve block is used to diagnose and/or manage pain for a variety of conditions. Learn more about peripheral nerve block.
• Medication
• Other nerve blocks
• Counseling