Treatments

Balloon Kyphoplasty

Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that treats severe back pain from vertebral compression fractures, which are often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer. During the procedure, a small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra and inflated to create a cavity and restore vertebral height. The balloon is then removed, and the space is filled with bone cement to stabilize the fracture and relieve pain. Typically performed under local or general anesthesia, this procedure involves only a small incision, leading to minimal blood loss and a short recovery. Patients often experience immediate pain relief and can return to their normal activities within days. This is especially helpful for older patients, as it prevents the complications of prolonged immobility.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial disc replacement is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged or degenerated intervertebral disc with a synthetic disc. This procedure is designed to preserve your neck mobility, unlike traditional spinal fusion, which limits movement. Patients benefit from reduced neck and arm pain, quicker recovery, and a lower risk of other adjacent discs becoming damaged or diseased over time. The artificial disc mimics the function of a healthy disc, allowing for a better range of motion and spinal alignment. If hips and knees are replaced when they are worn out, allowing you to continue walking without pain, it makes sense for the discs to be replaced as well.

Scoliosis Surgery

Scoliosis surgery is a corrective procedure performed to straighten and stabilize abnormal spinal curvature, typically in patients with severe or progressive scoliosis. The most common type is spinal fusion, where a curved spine is realigned and fused using rods, screws, and bone grafts to create a more natural spinal alignment. This surgery is often recommended when the spinal curve is greater than 45 to 50 degrees, especially if it's causing pain, breathing issues, or impacting daily function. The goals of scoliosis surgery are to halt the progression of the curve, improve posture and balance, and alleviate pain or discomfort caused by spinal deformity. For many patients, especially teenagers, surgery can enhance self-esteem and improve physical appearance. Dr. Ramos's experience in scoliosis surgery has led to improved patient safety, reduced hospital stays, and faster recovery times.

Spinal Injections

Spinal injections are non-surgical treatments used to relieve pain and inflammation in the neck and lower back. These injections typically deliver corticosteroids and anesthetics directly into several pain-generating structures of the spine caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. Cervical injections address issues in the neck and upper spine, while lumbar injections focus on the lower back. The benefits include rapid pain relief, reduced inflammation, and improved mobility, often allowing patients to participate more effectively in physical therapy. These procedures are minimally invasive, performed on an outpatient basis, and involve no recovery time. For many patients, spinal injections can delay or even eliminate the need for surgery, making them an excellent option for managing chronic spinal pain. Additionally, an injection can also help Dr. Ramos accurately diagnose the source of pain by observing how the patient responds to the injection.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion is an advanced surgical technique used to treat spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, or chronic pain by permanently joining two or more spinal bones in the lower back. Unlike traditional open lumbar fusion, which requires large incisions and significant muscle damage, Dr. Ramos uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to access the spine with less disruption to surrounding structures. This results in several key advantages for patients, including reduced postoperative pain, minimal blood loss, and a lower risk of infection. Hospital stays are typically shorter, with Dr. Ramos usually discharges patients a day or two after surgery. The muscle-sparing nature of the procedure also helps preserve spinal strength and mobility and patients often experience a faster return to normal activities. Because of its less invasive nature, this technique is particularly beneficial for older adults or those with other health conditions who may not tolerate open surgery well.

Separation Surgery for Spinal Tumors

Spinal separation surgery is a specialized, minimally invasive procedure used primarily in the treatment of spinal tumors, particularly metastatic tumors compressing the spinal cord and spinal nerves. The goal is to decompress the spinal cord by removing enough of the tumor to create a safe margin, or "separation," between the tumor and the spinal cord and nerves, often followed by targeted radiation therapy by Dr. Ramos' team of radiation oncologists. Unlike traditional open spinal tumor surgery, which has a high rate of complications and morbidity, spinal separation surgery is less invasive and has a faster recovery time so that patients can still undergo other treatments for their cancer sooner rather than later. This approach is particularly advantageous for patients with metastatic cancer, who may not be candidates for aggressive open surgery due to overall health or limited life expectancy. By combining minimally invasive surgical decompression with modern radiation techniques, spinal separation surgery offers effective pain relief and spinal stability resulting in a better quality of life for our cancer patients.

Interlaminar Devices

Interlaminar devices are a type of implant used to augment spinal surgery, particularly for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. These devices are designed to be placed between the laminae of the vertebrae and acts like a spring or cushion to provide stability, reduce pressure on the spinal nerves, and alleviate pain. Dr. Ramos uses these devices as an alternative to spinal fusion surgery when he believes that preserving motion will be beneficial to the patient. THe key advantage of interlaminar devices over spinal fusion is that it does not require the removal of large amounts of bone, your disc, or the permanent joining of your vertebrae. These devices help maintain spinal mobility, which is essential for long-term function, particularly in active individuals.

Cervical Laminoplasty

Cervical Fusion

Cervical spinal fusion, is a surgery used to stabilize the cervical spine by permanently joining two or more bones in the neck. It is commonly performed to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, or fractures. During the surgery, the damaged disc or bone is removed, and a bone graft—sometimes supported by titanium plates or screws—is placed between the vertebrae to encourage bone growth and fusion. Over time, the vertebrae heal into a single, solid bone. One of the key benefits of cervical fusion is the significant reduction in neck pain and nerve-related symptoms like arm numbness or weakness. It also stabilizes the spine in cases were there is abnormal motion between vertebrae and helps prevent further damage to the spinal cord or nerves. Cervical fusion is also used to correct spinal alignment which can be a souce of pain and disability.