Complex Spine Program

Complex disorders of the spine are challenging for the patient and the surgeon. Critical decision-making and experience are required to determine a reasonable strategy and potential corrective procedures such as foraminotomy.

Many spinal problems are so unique that large cohort outcome studies simply are not possible. This is when the experience of your spinal surgeon is of utmost importance.

Failed Back Surgery

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) has many causes including an unstable spine (spinal instability), epidural fibrosis, facetectomy, broken screws and rods, arachnoiditis and non-union of a spine fusion.

Some causes, like arachnoiditis, cannot be helped by any surgical method.

However, many patients who have intractable back and leg pain after back surgery can be helped by minimally invasive surgical procedures including foraminoplasty.

Realistic expectations are paramount in treating patients with FBSS. The goal is a significant reduction in pain. 

Most patients will not be pain free but receive a significant reduction in pain resulting in an improved quality of their life. Patients with failed back surgery must not be induced into false hope by promising advertising. Failed back surgery is a serious condition that is not relieved with a Band-Aid procedure.

To read about some of our innovative procedures used for those who have failed back surgery, click here.

Alternatives to Spine Fusion

At Celling Treatment Centers, every effort will be made to provide an alternative to spine fusion. Because of the breadth of our experience, we offer many minimally invasive laser spine surgery alternatives to address the each of the causes of pain in a failed back surgery patient.

For those with an unstable spine, careful consideration of treatment alternatives is imperative. We will facilitate comprehensive pain mapping and consultation to customize a treatment plan.  

Motion Stabilization

Motion stabilization procedures are for an unstable spine. This minimally invasvie surgery is performed using muscle-sparing techniques and a spine fusion is not required.

It provides stability for the unstable spine while decreasing the risk of degeneration at the adjacent levels of the spine commonly associated with a spine fusion.

Our motion stabilization procedures do not fuse the spine, so the painful stiffness of a spine fusion is avoided and, because muscle-sparing techniques are used, the permanent muscle atrophy and weakness of a spine fusion are also avoided.

Mini-Fusion

Despite the trend away from spine fusions, there are still some clear indications for a spine fusion including an unstable spine and previous facetectomy.

For those who require a spine fusion procedure, it is important to know that there are many techniques available including minimally invasive procedures that spare the overlying muscles.

These mini-fusions offer patients the best opportunity for stability without damaging the muscles that lead to weakness and perpetual pain.

Celling Treatment Centers can perform a foraminoplasty to relieve pressure on a pinched nerve being compressed by the intervertebral foramina bone spur, spinal stenosis or spine arthritis.