Lumbar Corpectomy

Lumbar corpectomy is a surgical procedure performed to fuse the vertebrae together after a portion of the bone and/or disc has been removed. This procedure is commonly performed on patients with diseased or damaged vertebrae in the lower spine, such as from a spinal fracture, tumor or infection.

During the lumbar corpectomy procedure, an incision is made to access the affected area of the spine. The damaged portion of the bone is carefully removed, which helps to relieve pressure on the nerves. The surrounding discs are also removed, before a bone graft is implanted into the area. The graft is usually held in place with a metal plate and screws. Over time, the bone graft will fuse with the surrounding vertebrae, restoring stability and strength to the area.

After the lumbar corpectomy procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for four to seven days. You will likely be able to return to work and other light activities after six weeks, although exercise should be avoided for three to four months. Your doctor will provide you with specific postoperative instructions based on your individual condition and procedure.

Vertebral Body Replacement

Many different spinal surgeries involve replacing damaged or diseased vertebrae with bone grafts in order to relieve pain and other unwanted symptoms. While bone grafts are able to effectively relieve symptoms and restore movement to the joint, they require extra support after surgery in order to keep the spine stable. This is done with vertebral body replacement devices.

These devices, usually made of stainless steel or titanium, are implanted into the spine during a spinal fusion procedure in order to secure bone grafts in place so that the patient can heal properly. There are several different replacement devices available, depending on the type of surgery being performed.

There are many minimally invasive techniques that can be utilized during the replacement procedure so that patients can benefit from smaller incisions, less trauma and shorter recovery times. Minimally invasive procedures are not for everyone. Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you after a thorough evaluation of your condition.

Hardware Replacement

Many spinal surgeries involve the use of metal rods, screws, plates and other devices to hold bones in place while the treated area heals. These devices are highly effective in helping patients heal properly with significant reductions in their pain and other symptoms. While this hardware remains in place in some cases, many times it needs to eventually be removed.

Hardware removal is a surgical procedure to take out the devices placed during surgery when they are no longer needed, or are causing symptoms of their own. This procedure can often be performed using minimally invasive techniques to reduce trauma and shorten recovery times. Recovery from hardware removal takes several weeks.