Get moving again with replacement parts for your spine
There's a new procedure to relieve back pain, and it can help people with disc disease walk, sit and sleep with less pain and greater ease. It's called motion-enhancing surgery. It involves removing the diseased disc and then replacing it with an artificial one made from space-age materials.
People who suffer from degenerative disc disease (DDD) are candidates for this technologically sophisticated procedure. DDD occurs when the cushiony discs sandwiched between the vertebrae deteriorate due to osteoarthritis or injury. The bony vertebrae rub against each other causing bone spurs. This results in pain and loss of movement, making daily life difficult.
The procedure
Kamaldeep Momi, MD, Virtua orthopaedic surgeon, describes the procedure: "A small incision is made just below a person's belly button. The diseased disc is removed, and the area between the two vertebrae is thoroughly cleaned. The artificial disc is then secured into the space where the old disc was."
"The artificial disc offers an advantage over spinal fusion, the fusion of two vertebrae, because it allows for a more natural range of motion," explains
Orin Atlas, MD, Virtua orthopaedic spine surgeon. "However, artificial disc replacement isn't for everyone. It's only for individuals who have one diseased disc in the low back, and not for anyone with porous bone quality or osteoporosis. Your surgeon is best qualified to help make a decision about which procedure is best for you," notes Dr. Atlas
Space-age solutions for back pain
Virtua orthopaedic surgeon
Steven Kirshner, MD, describes another technological advancement for patients suffering from the pain and instability of DDD or stenosis: "It's called the dynamic spine stabilization system. This is a flexible device implanted into a person's spinal column to join, but not fuse, two unstable vertebrae. Because the implanted device bends, more natural motion is retained."
To perform these complex procedures, Virtua surgeons rely on the latest tools such as virtual fluoroscopy. "In traditional surgery, many x-rays may be taken to allow the surgeon to accurately place artificial devices and instruments," says
Mark Testaiuti, MD, Virtua neurosurgeon. "Using virtual fluoroscopy, only one x-ray is taken, providing a 3-D picture instead of a 2-D one. This makes a dramatic difference in the proper placement of instruments and devices."
To consult with a Virtua orthopaedic surgeon or neurosurgeon, call
1-888-Virtua-3.
Advanced spine care at Virtua's Center of Excellence
- A total continuum of care from patient assessment to post-procedure therapies and wellness at Memorial and Marlton campuses
- More than 20 board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons
- Over 1,000 spine procedures performed annually
- Extensive experience in complex reconstructive procedures as well as the latest minimally invasive procedures
- Surgeons certified to perform advanced procedures
- Physicians board certified in pain medicine utilizing sophisticated procedures such as epidural steroids, nerve root block, trigger point injections and acupuncture
- Easy patient appointments at 1-888-Virtua-3
Meet the physicians
Orin Atlas, MD, received his medical degree from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He was appointed chief resident and completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at Yale University School of Medicine. He earned a fellowship in spine surgery at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases. Dr. Atlas is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon.
Steven Kirshner, MD, is medical director of spine services at Virtua Memorial Hospital. Dr. Kirshner is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who received his medical degree and completed an orthopaedic residency at Hahnemann University Hospital.
Kamaldeep Momi, MD, graduated from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, an internship at Beth Israel Medical Center, and a fellowship in spine surgery at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.
Mark Testaiuti, MD, graduated from Hahnemann University School of Medicine. He completed a neurosurgical residency, and advanced spine training at Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York where he served as chief resident of neurosurgery. Dr. Testaiuti is a board-certified neurosurgeon.