CALL: 512-795-2225

World Class Spine Care In Austin, TX

RANDALL F. DRYER, M.D.

TOP RATED U.S. SPINE SURGEON

Patient Resources

For more information regarding our orthopedic surgery and back care, review the patient resources below. We offer the latest neck and back surgery techniques, in the Austin area. Contact us today to learn more about The Central Texas Spine Institute, Dr. Dreyer, or to set an appointment for your consultation.

Procedure Animations

View the procedure animations and videos to gain a better understanding of your back or neck and the problems that you may be experiencing. As you watch the video, we suggest making a list of questions to ask your doctor.

Learn More


Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)

The primary purpose of this procedure is to stabilize the cervical spine by restoring the disc height with metal cages, a metal cervical plate and fusing the vertebra together using the patient’s own bone or a genetically engineered substance known as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP).

Learn More


Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

The primary purpose of this procedure is to stabilize the spine by restoring the disc height and alignment with metal cages and/or pedicle screws, fusing the vertebra together using the patient’s own bone or a genetically engineered substance known as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP). Relieving pressure on the nerves may be combined with the fusion by laminectomy.

Learn More


Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an outpatient procedure indicated to treat your condition. This procedure consists of injecting cortisone and saline into the space around your spinal canal called the epidural space.

Learn More


Lumbar Discectomy

The primary purpose of this procedure is to surgically remove a part of the disc that is pushing on the nerve and thus, causing the pain. The goal is to take pressure off the nerve but still retain as much of the disc as possible. The entire disc is not removed, only the herniated fragment.

Learn More


Discograms

A discogram is a procedure by which a small needle is placed into the interior of the disc to check the structural integrity of the disc and to see if the disc is painful. The procedure is performed in a special x-ray room called a fluoroscopy room, in the hospital.

Learn More


Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

The primary purpose of this procedure is to stabilize the spine (stop the motion) by restoring the disc height and alignment with metal cages and fusing the vertebra together using the patient’s own bone or a genetically engineered substance known as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP).

Learn More


Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

The primary purpose of this procedure is to stabilize the spine by restoring the disc height and fusing the vertebra together using the patient’s own bone or a genetically engineered substance known as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP). TLIF fuses the anterior (front) and posterior (back) columns of the spine through a single posterior approach. The anterior (front) of the spine is stabilized by the bone graft and cage. The posterior (rear) column is locked in place with pedicle screws, rods, and bone graft.

Learn More


Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)

The primary purpose of this procedure is to stabilize the spine by restoring the disc height and fusing the vertebra together using the patient’s own bone or a genetically engineered substance known as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP). LLIF fuses the vertebra of the spine through an approach from the side of the body. The spine is accessed thru 2 small incisions – one directly over the side of your waist and the other incision slightly behind the first, toward your back muscles. This approach is made safe with the use of nerve monitoring technology that alerts the surgeon if he comes near or hits a nerve.

Learn More