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Atlantic Spine Center Patient Testimonial

Atlantic Spine Center Patient Testimonial

Atlantic Spine Center Patient Testimonial

Atlantic Spine Center Patient Testimonial

Sciatica is a term used to describe the symptoms like: pain, weakness, numbness, burning or tingling in the leg.
Sciatica can be caused by lumbar hernaited disc, degenerative disc disease, lumbar stenosis or
spondylolisthesis.
As a disc degenerates and breaks down, the inner core can leak out through the outer portion of the disc.
This condition is known as a disc herniation, which puts direct pressure on the nerve.
In consequence of aging or trauma, the intervertebral disc can be damaged or degenerated.
Loss of disc height can cause bulging of the disc, putting pressure on the nerves exiting the spine.
Disc degeneration and facet joints overloading can cause their arthritic overgrowth.
This resultant loss of space in the foramen can cause squeezing or pinching of the nerve roots as they exit the
spine. This condition is called Lateral Stenosis.
Spondylolisthesis is a common lumbar spine problem when the disc is unstable and allows the upper vertebral
body to slide forward.

PLIF stands for Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and is the angle taken when the surgeon gains access to the spine from a posterior (through the back) approach.

Long-lasting pain relief is just a click or call away.

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The A-L-I-F is defined as Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
This approach requires a 4-6” incision in the abdomen to access one or two levels.
The surgeon works around the great vessels to access the anterior longitudinal ligament.
The ligament must be removed to access the disc.
The surgeon can then remove the diseased disc nucleus to prepare the vertebral bodies for fusion.
After the disc is prepared, a biocompatible polymer implant is filled with bone graft material and placed in the disc
space.
With an A-L-I-F implant, the surgeon may choose to add an anterior plate to replace the anterior ligament and
prevent movement of the implant.
This procedure is normally accompanied by a posterior fixation with pedicle screws or facet screws
The implant maintains the spacing of the vertebrae while the fusion takes place.
After the fusion is completed and a solid bone mass forms; the two vertebrae are joined together.

Between each of the movable vertebra located the intervertebral disc.
Spondylolisthesis is a common lumbar spine problem when the disc is unstable and allows the upper vertebral
body to slide forward.

The O-L-L-I-F is defined as “Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion”
To access the disc with O-L-L-I-F a specific zone is used - Kambin's triangle.
Kambin's triangle is a triangular space free of significant vascular and neural structures that allows safe access to
a lumbar disc in microdiskectomy.
First, a small probe is placed via tiny skin incision.
Then a taper 9mm dilator.
Next a small 10mm portal.
This portal protects the skin, muscles, and nerves while the diseased disc is removed and a bone graft material is
placed through it.
After the disc is prepared, the biocompatible polymer implant is filled with bone graft material and placed in the
disc space.
This procedure is normally accompanied by a posterior fixation with pedicle screws system.
The implant maintains the spacing of the vertebrae while the fusion takes place.
After the fusion is completed a solid bone mass forms and two vertebrae are joined together.
The maximum skin incision is smaller than a dime.
Compared to traditional spinal fusion procedures, the O-L-L-I-F is a less invasive surgical approach. Patients are
treated more effectively without long recovery times.