Cervical Endoscopic Discectomy (CED)

CED is an outpatient surgical procedure to remove herniated disc material from the neck. It has been performed in Europe successfully since 1991. I studied with Dr. Jacque Theron, who pioneered the procedure in Europe, and I began performing the procedure in 1994... more

Anterior Cervical Discectomy (ACD)

This operation is reserved for only those patients that have large bone spurs and no x-ray evidence of neck instability. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. It is an "open" surgery procedure performed by making a small incision anteriorly in a skin crease. The disc and bone spurs are completely removed using an operating microscope... more

Anterior Cervical Fusion (ACF)

This operation should be reserved only for those patients who have documented evidence of neck instability, ie., spondylolisthesis or subluxations, documented by flexion-extension x-rays or other radiologic studies. This is an "open" surgery, performed under general anesthesia, by making a small incision in a skin crease anteriorly in the neck. When the spine is exposed, an operating microscope is used to provide maximum light and magnification. The disc and/or bone spurs are removed and then a bone graft (taken either from the hip or a donor) is inserted in the space formerly occupied by the disc. The use of a titanium plate to further stabilize the spine is optimal. ... more

Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy (LED/TA)

LED/TA is an outpatient surgical procedure to remove herniated disc material from the spine. An anesthesiologist provides intravenous sedation. The surgeon also uses local anesthesia. With the help of x-ray guidance and video endoscope, a 3 mm probe is inserted through the skin into the disc. The herniation is then removed with a specially designed new instrument that suctions the disc and also safely blasts it with a powerful jet of water, which liquifies the disc enabling the surgeon to sculpt inside the protruded portion of the disc. The portion of the disc that is removed is approximately 10 to 15% of the total volume of the disc. The rest of the disc is left intact. The incision in the skin is very small in comparison to large incisions required for open surgery. We also use a video endoscope, which allows the surgeon to see inside the body... more

Interspinous Process Decompression (X-STOP)

The placement of an interior spine process spacer, a minimally invasive procedure to relieve the symptoms of 1) lumbar spinal stenosis and/or 2) First degree spondylolisthesis... more

Microdiscectomy (MD)

This spine procedure is reserved for patients who have extruded (free fragments) and bone spurs. This minimally invasive procedure is performed through a small incision using an operating microscope... more

Thermal Annuloplasty (TA)

Thermal Annuloplasty is commonly used for low back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease. This procedure enables a high percentage of patients to get relief of their back pain and sciatica without undergoing a high-risk open operation, such as lumbar fusion. Preoperatively, the patient receives a lumbar discogram. If the discogram reveals a degenerated disc, and the injection... more