Lateral Access Orthopedic Surgery

The Less Invasive, The Better

New advances in orthopedic surgery have made it possible to spare patients much of the trauma caused by older methods. Central Texas Spine Institute is dedicated to saving our patients from unnecessary pain and prolonged recovery times. Today, minimally invasive spine surgery is possible with cutting edge tools and technologies that make it possible to perform procedures such as artificial disc replacement without causing extensive damage to muscle tissue, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves.

About The Procedure

For a disc replacement or spinal fusion of the lumbar region, the orthopedic doctor makes an incision slightly larger than one inch in the patient’s side, which constitutes the “lateral” aspect of this procedure. Through this small opening, access to the affected vertebrae can be gained with the use of special tools. One of them is a pair of specially-designed dilators that can separate the vertebrae and allow the placement of a spacer, all while monitoring electrical nerve activity throughout the procedure. The result is reduced blood loss, tissue damage, and risk of complication. Patients are often able to walk in a matter of hours.

Mastery Is A Must

Lateral access spine surgery can be used to treat degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and other spine issues that result in lower back and leg pain. However, for the best result possible you must choose an orthopedic doctor who is a master of the technique. That’s why people from all over travel to Austin seeking the help of Dr. Randall F. Dryer and Central Texas Spine Institute. Contact us to learn more about our minimally invasive orthopedic surgery methods.