Spine surgery

We have a great deal of experience in the following areas:

• multi-level spinal stabilisation using neuromonitoring techniques,
• cervical spine dynamic stabilisation (artificial disc),
• microdiscectomy procedures,
• minimally invasive chronic pain treatment.

Vertebroplasty is a surgical method involving percutaneous injection of bone cement into a fractured vertebral body under X-ray guidance. This method does not involve restoration of the height of the vertebral body, but only its stabilisation and strengthening. Indications for treatment include compression fractures of vertebrae with slight or moderate reduction in their height. This method allows for a quick restoration of mobility.

Surgery involves the removal of a portion of the disc (hernia) to reduce pressure on nerve root(s). This is a minimally invasive method, allowing for quick rehabilitation and recovery. The main indication for surgery is MRI-confirmed discopathy with pain, which cannot be treated using conservative methods (rehabilitation and pharmacological treatment), or neurological disorders. Rehabilitation starts a few days after surgery and lasts from 6 weeks to about 3 months.

This surgery involves fusion of adjacent vertebrae by means of implants so that the bone union is formed. The most common indications include degenerative changes in the spine, injuries, spondylolisthesis, neoplasms and advanced discopathy. There are many types of stabilisation (anterior and posterior) and many special types of implants to choose from to meet individual needs of each patient. Rehabilitation depends on the method of treatment used and the severity of changes.

This surgery involves total removal of the abnormal disc, decompression of nerve structures of the spinal canal and stabilisation of the operated spine segment with an implant. The indication for surgery is MRI-confirmed cervical discopathy with spinal pain and symptoms of nerve or spinal cord damage. Two main types of implants are used: rigid, for rigid fixation, and flexible, which make it possible to keep the cervical segment movable. The type of implant used is selected individually and depends on many factors. Patients stay in hospital for 2–3 days. Rehabilitation starts a few days after the surgery.

A surgical method which makes it possible to restore the height of a fractured vertebral body. It involves the insertion, under X-ray guidance, of a balloon into the vertebral body and then restoration of its shape under pressure, which is stabilised by injecting special bone cement. Indications for treatment include compression fractures of vertebrae with a significant reduction in their height. Patients stay in the Ward for 1 day.

The method involves combined injections of anaesthetic and long-acting steroid into the selected region (intervertebral joint, root opening). The drugs are injected with a needle whose position is guided by X-ray or CT equipment. Patients stay in hospital for 1–2 hours. To make the effects long-lasting, the procedure can be performed several times. The main indications include spinal pain which cannot be treated using other methods (rehabilitation and pharmacological treatment) and are not qualified for surgical treatment.

This is a method applied to treat chronic pain by using high-frequency current. The procedure involves inserting, under X-ray guidance, a needle into the area of the nerve and damaging it by means of controlled temperature. The most common indication is spinal pain that cannot be treated using standard methods (rehabilitation and pharmacological treatment). The effects of the method last for 12–24 months.

A minimally invasive neurosurgery procedure used to treat patients with intervertebral disc protrusions that cause pain. The procedure involves percutaneous removal of a portion of the disc, as a result of which the pressure inside the disc is decreased and the pressure of the protrusion is reduced. The procedure is performed using the coblation method – a technique that uses the energy of electromagnetic waves to produce low temperature plasma. A special needle, with a moving electrode inside, is inserted into the intervertebral disc (the inside of the disc) under X-ray guidance. The plasma produced by the electrode removes tissue with extreme precision and, as the temperature is low, does not damage adjacent unaffected areas. Thanks to this, the procedure is almost bloodless, does not cause formation of scars and makes it possible to significantly shorten the period of convalescence. The procedure takes about 40 minutes. Very often the pain disappears immediately after the procedure and the patient can return home after 12 hours of observation.