Procedure Information
Facet Joint Injections for Spinal Pain
In a percentage of individuals suffering from neck, thoracic and/or low back pain, the
main anatomical source of the symptoms may be the facet joint.
According to clinical studies, up to 30% of patients presenting with so-called
“mechanical(non-specific) low back pain” may respond temporarily to facet joint injections.
The facet joint is...
Facet Neurolysis(Rhyzolysis) (Percutaneous Denervation of the Facet Joint by Radiofrequency Waves)
This procedure is indicated in patients with spinal pain relieved temporarily by facet joint blocks.
The procedure involves positioning of a small l probe just lateral to the facet joint in the area of emergence of the median branch of the posterior primary ramus (nerve) which supplies sensation to the facet joint. It is carried out under local anaesthetic ...
Lumbar Surgical Decompression (Laminectomy, Partial Discectomy and Microdiscectomy)
Sciatic pain is generally caused by inflammation of the nerve root triggered by disc material displaced from the intervertebral disc and/or narrowing of the bony tunnel for the nerves.
Rigid Segmental Stabilisation (Pedicle Instrumentation/Interbody Disc Implants)
Over the last twenty years, many systems of fixation have been developed for spinal problems using screws inserted into the pedicles.
The pedicles are roundish bony parts of the vertebra connecting the vertebral bodies with the posterior elements of the spine and which allow solid fixation of spinal segments. (Fig. 1)
Anterior Cervical Decompression and Stabilisation
INTRODUCTION
As in the lower back, the spinal joints of the cervical spine (the neck) are vulnerable to degeneration, which may involve both the discs and the facet joints.
The wear and tear process may lead to compression of the neural structures which include the spinal cord and the individual nerve roots.
In the presence of compression of the nerve ro...
Dynamic Stabilisation
Over the last few years, new techniques have been developed to stabilise spinal segments in a non-rigid “dynamic” fashion. These techniques include artificial disc replacement surgery (see “artificial disc replacement”), interspinous processes spacers (x-stop, Wallis, etc) and dynamic stabilisation using pedicle screw fixation connected by no...
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
INTRODUCTION:
Over the last few years, new techniques have been developed to deal with back pain linked to failure of the bony structure of the vertebral body.
The most common cause of fracture of a vertebra, apart from severe trauma, is represented by osteoporosis.
This is a very common condition in older individuals and especially in women.
&...
Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery for Discogenic Low Back Pain
INTRODUCTION
Disabling low back pain may be due to symptomatic degeneration of the intervertebral disc. The most likely source of acute pain from the disc is tearing of its outer part (the annulus) and ingrowth of nerve fibres into the disc due to attempted repair process.
Discogenic pain is generally self-limiting and compatible with a normal...
Nucleoplasty
PERCUTANEOUS DISC DECOMPRESSION WITH COBLATION
Low back pain associated with sciatica (pain radiating from the lower back to one or both legs) is generally due, in the active adult population, to protrusion/prolapse of one or more lumbar intervertebral disc/s. This large cartilaginous and avascular structure, as a result of genetically pre-determined and time de...