From Danville Regional Health System
Better Health Magazine Archives

Spinal fusion surgeries are performed to stabilize the vertebrae of patients whose spines have been injured due to accident, illness or degeneration. Thanks to new techniques, these delicate surgeries are now performed with a higher rate of success - and a lower rate of complications.

"In the past, bone alone was used in the fusion," said Lawrence Cohen, M.D., an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon affiliated with Danville Regional Medical Center. Today, we insert titanium screws through the pedicle (the bony structure around the vertebrae) to anchor the hooks, rods or plates that are necessary to stabilize the spine. The leads to a higher fusion rate."

The use of spinal screws was once limited due to the difficulties in monitoring the placement of the screws. "The pedicle is surrounded by many nerves, and if a screw is not properly placed, it can lead to severe discomfort and complications," said Dr. Cohen. Until recently, interoperative x-rays were the only guide a surgeon had while performing the procedure. Now, electromiography (EMG) is used in conjunction with x-rays to provide precise monitoring. Bryan Cooper, REEGT, who is the Chief Neurodiagnostic Technologist at Danville Regional Medical Center, explains, "We use small electrical pulses to stimulate the screw during surgery. If the screw is placed against a nerve, it will conduct the electricity to the nerve root, and result in a reflex response. The combined monitoring technique eliminates nerve complications by nearly 100 percent."

These techniques reduce hospitalization times and limit the amount of x-rays necessary during surgery. "There is less post-operative pain with the screws, and patients have a higher level of stability in the spine because they have a much higher fusion rate," said Dr. Cohen.

For more information, call the Health Referral Service at (434) 799-WELL or toll-free at 1-877-799-WELL.