Neurology-Orthopaedic Services

Neurosurgery & Orthopaedic Care

St. Mary’s Neuro-Ortho Services is the area’s leading provider of surgical interventions for back and neck pain. When you call our office and report pain involving your lower back, shoulders, upper arms or neck, you will likely be referred to see one of our neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons. Our specialists diagnose and treat pain resulting from arthritis, sports injuries, workplace injuries, bleeding in the brain, car accidents and other causes of traumatic brain or spinal injury.

Our exceptionally trained surgeons use a variety of diagnostic methods including X-rays, MRI and CT scans to visually identify the cause of your pain. Once the cause of your pain is known, our specialists review the options available for you for treatment.

Our neuro-ortho team specializes in the surgical treatment of back, neck and arm pain. If you are a candidate for surgery and you wish to pursue that as a treatment, our specialists will work with you to plan your surgical and therapeutic care. During your surgical treatment, you may work with the Shoreline Joint Center at St. Mary’s Hospital. Post-surgery, you may work with St. Mary’s Advanced Rehabilitation Center or a physical therapist in your hometown if you have traveled to Decatur for your treatment.

Common procedures done by St. Mary’s Neuro-Ortho Services include:

Cervical Discectomy––This is a neck surgery to treat neck pain and/or arm pain and tingling resulting from disk degradation in your neck. Your surgeon will make a small incision (approximately two and a half inches), and then replace your cervical disc with a new one to restore normal functioning. In most cases, you will require a 24 hour hospital stay after the surgery and then a four to six week recovery period which might involve physical therapy.

Laminectomy Discectomy––This surgery is typically performed for back pain resulting from a herniated disk. It is usually done using minimally invasive technology and a one inch incision. In most cases, you will require a 24 hour hospital stay after the surgery and then a four to six week recovery period which might involve physical therapy.

Lumbar Fusion––Lumbar fusion surgery is typically used for patients with degenerative disc disease. In this procedure, your surgeon will use a bone graft to fuse two portions of the spine together to relieve pain, numbness, tingling and weakness, restore nerve function and stop or prevent abnormal motion in the spine which is causing your pain. Most patients stay in the hospital for several days following this surgery, and then return home for a four to six week recovery period involving physical therapy.

Surgery for Spinal Stenosis––Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of one or more areas in your spine which puts pressure on your spinal cord or on the nerves that branch out from the compressed areas. Spinal stenosis is most commonly seen in the elderly. Several surgical treatments are available, and our specialists will work with you to determine the most affective course of treatment for you.

Artificial Disk Replacement––Artificial disc replacement surgery is sometimes used for people with degenerated discs who suffer from the resulting chronic, debilitating back pain. This surgery replaces the worn-out disc with an artificial one which not only eliminates the pain caused from the worn out disc but also maintains the current motion and stability of the spine. Most patients stay in the hospital for several days following this surgery, and then return home for a four to six week recovery period involving physical therapy.

If you would like to pursue alternative methods outside of surgery to manage your pain, we can refer you to St. Mary’s Pain Medicine Center or other appropriate specialists. If you require medical management of a long-term neurological or orthopedic medical condition such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy, we will refer you to the appropriate specialists which may include a neurologist.