Anterior cervical discectomy is usually performed for disc herniations. Removal of the ruptured disc usually relieves the arm pain.

Step 2: Through this incision, exposure is provided to the front of the cervical spine. The discs (blue) are in between the vertebrae. Nerves (yellow) exit between the vertebrae.

Step 3: Surgical instruments are used to remove the herniated disc. A bone graft is cut to the correct size and placed in between the vertebrae to add stability.

Step 4: A metal plate is placed over the bone graft. Two holes are drilled in each vertebra. Four screws are placed through the plate, to secure the plate to the vertebra adding additional support.

A cervical laminectomy is performed to remove pressure on the spinal cord. Instrumentation can be added to provide stability to the spine.

Step 3 : A motorized instrument (Bur) is used to remove the top layer of the remaining bone. This is the site where the fusion occurs.

Step 5 : A second incision is made over the back of the pelvis. Bone is removed from this site and placed in the neck. This bone eventually 'grows,' fusing the spine and providing additional stability.

Summary : A cervical collar is often worn for 6 weeks following surgery. Patients should be careful to avoid heavy lifting and excessive neck motion for the first 6 weeks. Patients often have pain from the waist, where the bone graft was removed.

Step 3 : The lamina is then lifted and rotated. This increases the space for the spinal cord, relieving the compression that causes pain.

Introduction : Cervical laminotomies are performed to relieve the pressure on a nerve in the neck. Removal of bone spurs or disc herniations usually relieves the arm pain.

Step 2 :Surgical instruments are used to remove a small portion of the back of the spine (lamina). Bone spurs are removed, to take the pressure off the painful nerves.

Introduction : Correction of scoliosis usually involves placement of multiple screws or hooks along the length of the curve.

Step 4 : A second incision is made over the back of the pelvis. Bone is removed from this site and placed in the back, next to the rods. This bone eventually grows, fusing the spine and providing additional stability.

Summary : Surgical correction can achieve reduction of the curve by 50 percent. A brace is usually not necessary after surgery. Patients often have pain from the waist, where the bone graft was removed.

Introduction :This procedure may be performed when a tumor has spread to the spine and is pushing on the spinal cord.

Summary : Radiation treatments are frequently used 2-4 weeks after surgery to treat any tumor remaining in the spine after surgery.

Step 5 : Screws are placed in the adjacent healthy vertebrae. The screws are connected together with metal rods to act as additional support.

Summary : Radiation treatments are frequently used 2-4 weeks after surgery to treat any tumor remaining in the spine after surgery.

Step 2 : Through this incision, exposure is provided to the front of the lumbar spine. Surgical instruments are used to remove the degenerated disc.

Step 4 : Bone graft is placed in the cages to help new bone grow in and around the cage. The cages are then screwed into position between the vertebral bodies to provide stability.

Summary : Disc replacement is an exciting new technology that may give the patient an alternative to fusion for the treatment of a painful disc.

Introduction : The addition of instrumentation known as pedicle screws to a lumbar fusion, may improve the chance of a successful fusion.

Summary : The addition of pedicle screws increases the strength of the spine after surgery, and may decrease the need for a post-operative brace.

Introduction : Posterior lumbar fusion is the common surgical method used to treat degenerative conditions of the low back.

Summary : A brace may be required for up to 3 months after surgery. Patents often have pain from the waist, where the bone graft was removed.

Introduction : This procedure involves removing the pressure on the nerves (laminectomy) and fusing the spine with bone graft and screws.

Step 2 : Surgical instruments are used to remove the spinous process, the lamina and bone spurs. The spinal nerves now have more space, with less pressure on the nerves.

Step 3 : A motorized instrument (Bur) is used to remove the top layer of the transverse processes. This is the site where the fusion occurs.

Step 4 : A drill is used to make a hole in the pedicle. Screws are placed in the drilled holes. Rods are placed to connect the screws. This will provide stability for the spine.

Step 5 : A second incision is made over the back of the pelvis. Bone is removed from this site and placed in the back. This bone eventually 'grows,' fusing the spine.

Summary : Patients often remain in the hospital for 2-4 days. Patients should avoid heavy lifting, bending, twisting and turning for 6-12 weeks.

Introduction : Surgery for removal of herniated discs is usually performed for patients with severe, shooting leg pains.

Introduction : Fractures of the spine often involve the vertebral body. Severe fractures are unstable and often require surgery.

Summary : Replacement of the fractured bone with a metal cage restores stability of the spine. After 3-6 months the bone graft fuses between the vertebrae.

Step 2 : Special dilators are used to go in between the muscles and sweep tissue (muscle) off the back of the spine bones (lamina).

Step 3 : After the initial dilator is "docked" on the back of the spine, larger dilators are placed to allow enough room for the surgical procedure.

Step 4 : The retractor is placed over the dilator and a lighting component is attached to provide illumination of the surgical field. After placement of the retractor, the dilators are removed.

Step 5 : A hex screwdriver is used on the retractor to open up the blades, holding the soft tissue out of the way. The surgical exposure is now complete.

Step 6 : Through the small opening in the retractor, the surgeon is now able to remove a portion of the lamina and facet to visualize the disc and nerves.

Step 7 : A grabbing instrument called a pituitary ronguer is used to remove a portion of the disc. By removing the herniated portion of the disc, the pressure on the nerve root is relieved.

Introduction : A posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a procedure which allows the surgeon to fuse the front and back of the spine through one incision on the back. This animation shows the PLIF procedure with a new surgical technique known as minimally invasive surgery.

Step 1 : A short incision (4.0 cm) is made in the middle of the low back. The muscles are moved aside and the back of the spine bone (lamina) is exposed. Cutting instruments are used to remove the back of the spine bone (laminectomy). A grabbing instrument (pituitary rongeur) is used to remove most of the intervertebral disc.

Summary : The Less Invasive Technologies (LITe) approach can be safely performed with less trauma to the surrounding muscles. This should lead to less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalizations and quicker patient recovery than traditional surgical methods.

Introduction : A transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a procedure which allows the surgeon to fuse the front and back of the spine through one incision on the back. This animation shows the TLIF procedure with a new surgical technique known as Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS).

Step 2 : Special dilators are used to go in between the muscles and sweep tissue (muscle) off the back of the spine bones (lamina).

Step 3 : After the initial dilator is "docked" on the back of the spine, larger dilators are placed to allow enough room for the surgical procedure.

Step 4 : The retractor is placed over the dilator and a lighting component is attached to provide illumination of the surgical field. After placement of the retractor, the dilators are removed.

Step 5 : A hex screwdriver is used on the retractor to open up the blades, holding the soft tissue out of the way. The surgical exposure is now complete.

Step 6 : Through the small opening in the retractor, the surgeon is now able to remove a portion of the lamina and facet to visualize the disc and nerves.

Step 7 : A grabbing instrument called a pituitary rongeur is used to remove most of the intervertebral disc. By removing the herniated portion of the disc, the pressure on the nerve root is relieved.

Step 8 : A bone graft is in then placed in between the two vertebral bodies to allow for fusion of the vertebral bodies.

Step 9 : A sharp cutting needle is placed through the back of the spine, into the pedicle, to begin preparation for insertion of a titanium screw.

Step 10 : Pedicle screws are then placed over a guide wire and screwed through the pedicle, into the vertebral body. After the screws have been placed, the guide wire is removed.

Step 12 : Small screws called "blockers" are then placed over the rod and into the pedicle screw-heads for temporary fixation.

Step 13 : A torque wrench is then used for final tightening of the blockers to the screw-head. This allows for rigid fixation between the two vertebral bodies.

Summary : The Less Invasive Technologies (LITe) approach can be safely performed with less trauma to the surrounding muscles. This should lead to less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalizations and quicker patient recovery than traditional surgical methods.

Introduction : This procedure allows the surgeon to fuse the front and back of the spine, through one incision on the back.

Step 4 : A motorized instrument (Bur) is used to remove the top layer of the transverse processes. This is the site where the new fusion will occur.

Step 5 : A drill is used to make a hole in the pedicle. Screws are placed in the drilled holes. Rods are placed to connect the screws and add additional stability.

Step 6 : A second incision is made over the back of the pelvis. Bone is removed from this site and placed on the transverse processes. This bone eventually grows, fusing the spine.

Summary : Patients often remain in the hospital for 2-4 days. Patients should avoid heavy lifting, bending, twisting and turning for 6-12 weeks. Patients often have pain from the waist, where the bone graft was removed.