Surgical information
Dr. O’Neill uses modern technology to give you the best possible surgical outcomes
If spine surgery is determined to be necessary, Dr. O’Neill does everything possible to make sure that each patient has a great outcome. When possible, minimally invasive and motion preserving procedures are preferred. Dr. O’Neill offers patients the best possible results by providing exceptional back, neck and spine treatment at a world-class medical facility.
Some of the most common surgical procedures performed by Dr. O’Neill are described below.
Learn the basics about the spine and spine anatomy! Understanding the spine and how it functions will give you a better understanding of your condition, the treatments being offered, and how they are intended to help get you feeling better.
In this procedure, the spine is approached through the stomach. The disc that connects and separates the bones (vertebrae) is removed, and a cage or spacer is inserted to hold the bones apart. The spacer is filled with bone graft material that helps the bone heal across the spacer, which is called fusion. Sometimes, additional implants (screws and/or plates) are used to secure the bones together.
The cervical spine is approached through the front of the neck. The disc that connects and separates the bones (vertebrae) is removed, along with any bone spurs that are causing compression of the nerves or spinal cord. Then, an artificial disc is inserted between the bones. This implant is designed to maintain normal motion between the bones.
The cervical spine is approached through the front of the neck. The disc that connects and separates the bones (vertebrae) is removed, along with any bone spurs that are causing compression of the nerves or spinal cord. Then, a cage or spacer is inserted to hold the bones apart. The spacer is filled with bone graft material that helps the bone heal across the spacer, which is called fusion. Finally, a plate and screws are used to hold the bones together.
This surgery is performed through a midline incision on the back of the neck, and is primarily indicated to relieve spinal cord compression. This is done by creating cuts on the back part of the spine bones (vertebrae) that allow it to be opened like a clamshell. Small plates and screws are then used to prop the bone open, thus creating more space for the spinal cord. This procedure maintains movement of the spine, as opposed to a fusion surgery.
This is a minimally invasive technique used to relieve compression of nerves. It is done through a small incision on the back of the neck. A tube is inserted through the muscle, and a microscope is then used to see the back part of the spine. Small instruments are then used to remove bone spurs and other tissue that is causing compression of the nerve. This procedure maintains movement of the spine, as opposed to a fusion surgery.
This is a very common operation performed to alleviate nerve compression in the lumbar spine caused by disc herniations. A small incision (usually less than an inch) is made on the back. A tube is inserted through the muscle, and a microscope is then used to see the back part of the spine. Small instruments are then used to remove bone spurs and other tissue that can contribute to compression of the nerve. The nerve is then moved to the side, so that the disc herniation can be removed. After the herniation is removed, the nerve is allowed to fall back into its normal position.
This is a common procedure performed to alleviate stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal that causes nerve compression. During this surgery, the spine is approached through an incision on the back. The back part of the spine is exposed, and then bone and connecting tissues are removed to create more space for the nerves in the spinal canal. This can be performed between two bones (vertebrae) or several bones. This procedure maintains movement of the spine, as opposed to a fusion surgery.
During this surgery, the spine is approached through an incision on the back of the neck. Part of the bone (vertebrae) and connecting tissues between the bones are removed to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves. This can be performed between two bones (vertebrae) or several bones. Then, screws are used to anchor into each of the bones, and rods are used to connect the bones together. Bone graft material is added to promote bone healing between each of the bones, which is called fusion.
In this minimally invasive surgery, a small incision is made on the side, between the ribs and pelvis bone, to access the spine. A tube is inserted through the muscle and used to see the spine. The disc that connects and separates the bones (vertebrae) is removed, and a cage or spacer is inserted to hold the bones apart. The spacer is filled with bone graft material that helps the bone heal across the spacer, which is called fusion. Sometimes, additional implants (screws and/or plates) are used to secure the bones together.
This is a very common operation performed to alleviate stenosis in the lumbar spine. A small incision (usually less than an inch) is made on the back. A tube is inserted through the muscle, and a microscope is then used to see the back part of the spine. Small instruments are then used to remove bone spurs and other tissue that can contribute to compression of the nerves.
Two small up-and-down incisions (1 left, 1 right) are used to place screws into the vertebral bones, with rods connecting them together. On the side with nerve compression, a small tube is inserted through the same incision to see the back of the spine. A microscope is used to see down the tube, and small instruments are used to remove the bone and connecting tissues between the bones, including the joint that connects the bones. This alleviates the nerve compression. The disc between the bones is then removed, and a cage or spacer is inserted along with bone graft material to allow the bones to heal together (fusion).
In this minimally invasive surgery, a small incision is made on the side of the stomach to access the spine. A retractor is inserted through the muscle and used to see the spine. The disc that connects and separates the bones (vertebrae) is removed, and a cage or spacer is inserted to hold the bones apart. The spacer is filled with bone graft material that helps the bone heal across the spacer, which is called fusion. Sometimes, additional implants (screws and/or plates) are used to secure the bones together.
Normally, the spine is made of individual bones (vertebrae) that are connected through discs (that function like shock absorbers), joints, and connective tissue. During a fusion, implants (screws, rods, cages, spacers) are used to hold the individual bones together. Bone graft material is added along the bones to promote bone growth between the individual bones, which eliminates the motion between those bones. Fusion is most often performed along with other procedures to alleviate stenosis, or narrowing around the spinal cord and nerves.