This is a new surgical spinal fusion procedure that offers a host of advantages to those suffering from degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and repeated lumbar disc herniations.

Procedure:

In this surgery a small incision (or incisions) made in the patient's side near the damaged disc allows x-ray guided tubes to reach the spine. A special tool called a "retractor" spreads the tissues open for better visibility of the spine. Flexible arms lock the tools into place and the surgeon fuses the troublesome vertebrae so that they are immobilized and cease to cause pain.

Extreme lateral interbody fusion has a whole lot of advantages for the patient.

* Access to the spine from the side requires less soft tissue to be navigated.

* Small incision instead of a single large (up to 12 inches) incision causes less trauma, soft tissue damage, blood loss, and scarring.

* The procedure is quicker, fusion of spinal discs is better, duration of hospital stay and recovery time is much shorter. In fact the patient can recover enough to resume normal activities in six to eight weeks instead of six months.

* Post operative care and medication requirement is significantly less.