Spine Clinic in Houston

Back pain got you down? Aches and pains in the back and neck are common among people of all ages. They’re also one of the most frequently cited reasons for missed work in the U.S. In fact, the majority of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and more than 26 million Americans between the ages 20 and 64 cope with chronic back pain.

Don’t let your back pain interfere with your daily life. Visit Dr. Kushwaha at the leading spine clinic in Houston. Dr. Kushwaha has the expertise to treat the source of your back pain so you can get back to living life.

What’s causing your back pain?

Back pain can be caused by any number of conditions, including:

Muscle strains.
Traumatic injury.
Herniated, bulging or ruptured discs.
Degenerative disc disease.
Arthritis.
Spinal stenosis.
Scoliosis.

Some causes of back pain can be treated with medication and therapy, while others may require spine surgery.

The doctors at Houston’s spine clinic are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide the following surgical services for treating your back pain.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy

This procedure aims to reduce the patient’s back pain by limiting slippage and other abnormal movements between the bones of the spine, or vertebrae. First, the intervertebral disc — the soft tissue between the bones of the spine — is removed, relieving any pressure that may be causing nerve damage and pain. Next, the surgeon will typically attach a metal plate and screws along the front (or anterior surface) of the cervical spine to provide stability. The metal plate also encourages the rate of spinal fusion, which provides even more stability. For this purpose, the surgeon may also perform a bone graft simultaneous to the anterior cervical discectomy.

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion

Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to help patients diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the intervertebral discs begin to deteriorate. Degenerative disc disease can cause nerve inflammation, back pain, muscle spasms and sciatica. During the procedure, the surgeon fuses the front part of the lumbar spine (located in the lower back) by entering from the patient’s side. The surgeon then removes any problem discs and inserts a fusion graft consisting of bone into the space created by the removed disc.

Cervical Disc Replacement

When the space between vertebrae becomes too narrow, parts of the spine may begin to press on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness and weakness. In a cervical disc replacement, the surgeon replaces any diseased cervical discs with artificial tissues. If your back pain symptoms do not respond to nonsurgical treatments, you may be a good candidate for cervical disc replacement.

SI Joint Fusion

According to the latest clinical research, the sacroiliac (SI) joint is the underlying cause of almost 25 percent of all lower back pain. The SI joint is a large, load-bearing joint in the pelvis that connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the back of the pelvis that connects with the spine) and the ilium (the bone that forms the hip’s “wings”). The SI joint’s chief function is to act as a shock absorber for the spine. As you age, your SI joint can become less stable, and its ligaments weaken. The result is pain and stiffness in your lower back and legs. SI joint fusion is a minimally invasive surgical technique designed to stabilize the joint.

Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Scoliosis is the medical term for a curved spine. Scoliosis most typically causes the spine to curve from side to side, giving it an “S”- or “C”-like shape. In some cases, however, the spine may become rotated. The condition is frequently diagnosed in childhood and can be very painful if left untreated into adulthood. Lumbar spinal fusion can help straighten the spine and alleviate the back pain associated with scoliosis. Lumbar spinal fusion immobilizes the vertebrae, eliminating abnormal motion within the spine. Lumbar spinal fusion may also be the treatment of choice for herniated, bulging or ruptured discs or degenerative disc disease.

Lumbar Discectomy

Lumbar discectomy is a highly recommended treatment for herniated, bulging or ruptured discs. Such discs can cause back pain by compressing the spinal cord or radiating nerves. In this procedure, the surgeon uses minimally invasive techniques to access the lower spine and removes only the herniated, bulging or ruptured portion of the problem disc.

Whatever the cause of your back pain, don’t let your pain impact your daily life any longer. Contact the experienced surgeons at Houston’s leading spine clinic today.