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Ask The Expert/FAQsMain | About Us | Ask The Expert | News | Events
Q. What is robot-assisted spine surgery? A. At UC Irvine Medical Center, we use a robotic guidance system called SpineAssist® that allows us to perform any spine surgery — from the simplest to the most complex — with greater accuracy, less radiation, less pain and faster recovery. Q. Why is a guidance system important for spine surgery? A. The spine is a complex system that includes a soft, jelly-like cord containing nerve cells and long tracts of nerve fibers, carrying signals to and from the brain and controlling every function of the body. It is surrounded by a protective column of vertebrae, 33 bones that are separated by cushioning discs of semi-rigid cartilage. When surgery is necessary to repair damage to those discs or to the vertebrae themselves, precision is required to avoid damaging the spinal cord or the webs of nerves leading elsewhere in the body. Q. What procedures can benefit from SpineAssist? A. For patients who have unsuccessfully tried conservative methods to alleviate back or neck pain, UC Irvine Healthcare surgeons perform minimally invasive surgical procedures to correct virtually any spinal disorder. These include:
Q. Does the robot make the incisions? A. No, SpineAssist guides your surgeon. It does not cut or perform any action on your body. Only the surgeon makes the incisions and places implants, if necessary. Q. How safe is robot-assisted spine surgery? A. SpineAssist has been used in thousands of surgeries worldwide. The robotic device adheres to international standards and has been approved for use on patients by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Multiple scientific studies have shown its value in advancing minimally invasive surgeries, reducing adverse events, facilitating faster recoveries and optimizing patient outcomes. Q. How is surgery with SpineAssist more precise? A. In open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision large enough to be able to reach the spine and expose a full view of the operating field. In minimally-invasive surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions to allow either “key-hole” visualization of the operating field or by retracting tissue beneath the skin to expose the spine. This means less impact on surrounding tissues, less pain and faster recovery. To compensate for the limited field-of-view, surgeons use fluoroscopy (X-rays) to check their progress. Q. What should I expect before my surgery? A. Please ask your surgeon to provide you with more information about your surgery and how SpineAssist would be used. Q. How can I prevent back pain? A. Back pain can be prevented by practicing proper body mechanics and improving your physical condition. The following can also help keep your back healthy and strong: Exercise – An exercise regimen that includes conditioning and strengthening exercises can help prevent and reduce back pain. Core exercises help strengthen abdominal and back muscles to support your back. Maintain a healthy weight - Excess weight strongly contributes to lower back pain and to almost all spinal conditions. If you're overweight, trimming down can help prevent back pain. Maintain proper posture - Maintain a neutral pelvic position. If you must stand for long periods of time, alternate placing your feet on a low footstool to take some of the load off your lower back. When sitting, choose a seat with good lower back support, arm rests and a swivel base. Consider placing a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level. Practice safe lifting – When lifting, keep your back straight and only bend at your knees. Hold the load close to your body and avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. Sleep properly - People experiencing back pain should sleep on a medium-firm to firm mattress. If you sleep on your side, try putting a pillow between your knees. If you sleep on your back, use a pillow under your knees. You can use a small rolled towel to support your lower back. Q. When should you consult your physician about back pain? A. You should see a physician if you experience numbness or tingling, if your pain is the result of a fall or an injury, or if the pain is severe and doesn’t improve with medications and rest. It is also important to see your doctor if you have pain along with any of the following problems: bowel or urinary dysfunction, weakness, pain or numbness in your legs. Such symptoms may signal a serious problem that requires treatment. Q. When is surgery necessary for patients with spine problems? A. Most back problems respond to conservative treatments, including anti-inflammatory medication, hot or cold therapy, gentle massage and physical therapy. When conservative treatments don’t alleviate the pain, interventional therapy including epidural steroids, injections, joint and nerve blocks and analgesic pump devices may provide relief. If interventional therapy does not help, back surgery may be considered as a last resort. Back surgery may also be considered in patients experiencing severe pain or when there is a significant neurological impairment, such as profound muscle weakness resulting in a foot drop or a bowel or bladder dysfunction. Q. What are some nonsurgical treatment options for back pain? A. Most back pain improves over time with a combination of rest, pain relievers, massage and hot or cold therapy. If the back pain persists, physicians may recommend other forms of therapy, including physical therapy and exercise, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or, in some cases, a muscle relaxant, cortisone injections or electrical stimulation. Low doses of certain types of antidepressants have been shown to relieve pain. Other alternatives for pain relief may be used for a short period of time under your physician’s supervision. These treatments may include anesthetic injections or self-administered pain medications that are delivered to the spinal cord through a programmed pump. A. A herniated disc is a "slipped" or "ruptured" disc in the neck or lower back, causing pain in the neck, lower back, arms or legs. Disc herniations can be caused by a trauma including auto accidents, falls or injuries from heavy lifting. However, other patients may develop a herniated disc from repetitive activities or minor injuries. Most herniated discs are responsive to conservative treatments including rest, anti-inflammatory medications, as well as the possible use of steroids and physical therapy. If conservative treatments fail, physicians may recommend a microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive technique, in which the disc can be shaved to alleviate the pressure on the nerve. Q. Can osteoporosis cause a spinal fracture? A. Individuals with osteoporosis are at higher risk for developing spinal or compression fractures. The condition occurs when the weight of the upper body exceeds the ability of the spine to support itself. Traditional conservative treatment includes bed rest, pain control and physical therapy. Interventional procedures such as vertebroplasty can be considered in those patients who do not respond to initial treatment. Vertebroplasty is an image-guided, minimally invasive, nonsurgical therapy used to strengthen a broken vertebra that has been weakened by osteoporosis. Questions? Contact the Comprehensive Spine Program at |
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