Spine Surgery

What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Each of the doctors at ProMedSPINE is a board-certified spine and neurosurgeon with substantial expertise in all kinds of spine and brain surgery. Each surgeon involved with ProMedSPINE combines a high level of skill and dedication with a compassionate heart to provide the best possible environment for getting you on the road to health and overall wellbeing.

Dr. Todd Gravori possesses a combination of surgical expertise and compassionate patient care, offering patients years of education and experience from world-renowned medical facilities, coupled with genuine patient-centric care. Dr. Gravori specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures and pain management. Although Dr. Gravoris specialty lies in performing surgeries he believes that complex procedures should be used in treatment only as a last resort. His priority is to save his patients money and limit recovery times by using the most technologically advanced, minimally invasive, effective spine and neurosurgery procedures.

Spine Surgery in Los Angeles

Dr. Frederic Edelman is an accomplished neurosurgeon, who is widely considered an expert in the fields of brain, spine, and nerve surgery with extensive experience in brain, peripheral nerve, and spine surgery and specializes in nerve damage and repair. Dr. Edelman is a member of numerous medical societies and dedicates his time to assisting with surgeries and offering crucial second opinions. Dr. Edelman has also published studies in peer-reviewed medical journals as well as book chapters and book reviews.

Dr. Murisiku Raifu has assisted in many programs to aid the underprivileged, using his medical training to help those in need. Dr. Raifu has extensive experience in spine and neurosurgery, and has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Raifu has been a part of many humanitarian programs, including being a part of a visiting neurosurgery team to Shanghai Childrens Hospital, where he performed pro bono surgery for orphans in need of medical clearance for adoption. Dr. Raifu has also been a volunteer in service of bringing solar energy solutions to rural Haiti while simultaneously assessing medical needs and co-chairing the Student International Health Committee.

Dr. Nouzan Sehati has spent decades researching brain tumors, trauma, and dementia and has been published in many respected peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr Sehati has also held positions in academia and is responsible for designing the first clinical neuropathology course and the first clinical neuropharmacology and neurodiagnostics course at Mount Saint Marys College in Los Angeles. Dr. Sehati was the first professor for both of these courses.

Contact a Spine Surgery Today!

Minimally invasive spine surgery requires surgeons to make a small incision near the point of interest. This leaves the patient with less bleeding, pain, and a shorter recovery period then is common with typical surgical options. If you are suffering from spinal deformities, infections, tumors, instability, degenerative disc disease or a herniated disc then minimally invasive spinal surgery may be an option for you. At ProMedSPINE, we understand how detrimental spinal pain and complications can be and consider making patients feel confident and comfortable our number one goal.

To learn more, please visit www.promedspine.com.

How to Choose the Right Neurosurgeon

At ProMedSPINE we consider patient comfort and satisfaction our number one goal. ProMedSPINE is a medical practice consisting of 4 highly knowledgeable board-certified spine and neurosurgeons. All of the doctors offer specialties in differing areas of the medical field, guaranteeing that patients are covered when it comes to individual medical needs. Dr. Gravori specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures and pain management. Dr. Edelman specializes in nerve damage and repair. Dr. Raifus particular expertise lies with minimally invasive, endoscope-assisted spine surgery. And finally, Dr. Sehati is an expert in brain tumors and brain injury caused by trauma. Each doctor at ProMedSPINE blends their extensive knowledge with compassion, so that patients feel not only physically cared for but emotionally cared for.

Los Angeles Spine Surgery

ProMedSPINE treats a variety of conditions, including: degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and spinal deformity, sciatica, spine trauma, spine tumors and chiari malformation. Although each of the doctors at ProMedSPINE is considered an expert in surgical procedures, surgery is always considered a last resort. Emphasis lies in best treating a patients needs while simultaneously saving the patient money whenever possible. ProMedSPINE is dedicated to state-of-the-art, comprehensive, individualized care for diseases and conditions of the spine.

ProMedSPINE offers a wealth of treatment options designed specifically to alleviate the pain associated with back and spinal pain. Treatment options include: minimally invasive spinal surgery, disc replacement surgery, spinal fusion surgery, laminectomy, cervical spine surgery, percutaneous discectomy, interspinous process fusion, XLIF procedure, TLIF procedure, percutaneous foraminotomy, alif surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Oftentimes pain begins without a patient knowing exactly why or where the pain came from. Scheduling an appointment to meet with our team of surgeons is an excellent way to get started assessing and treating your pain. ProMedSPINEs team of board-certified neurosurgeons takes pride in offering the most sophisticated technology and cutting-edge minimally invasive spine procedures to provide the highest quality of care for our patients.


Spine Surgery Treatments in Los Angeles

ProMedSPINE offers a wide variety of treatment options regarding lower back and spine pain. The goal at ProMedSPINE is to provide compassionate care using the most state-of-the-art surgical techniques to help patients get back on the road to recovery and optimum good health. Dr. Todd Gravori, along with Dr. Murisiku Raifu, Dr. Nouzan Sehati, and Dr. Frederic Edelman, is a board certified neurological surgeon with extensive training and experience in minimally invasive spine surgery. The surgeons at ProMedSPINE are experts in their field and have dedicated their careers to performing minimally invasive spine surgery techniques.

Los Angeles Spine Surgery Treatments

At ProMedSPINE individualized treatment and patient-centric care are at the core of our values. Initial one-on-one consultations involve a full examination to identify the cause of your discomfort as well as all potential treatment options. Although our surgeons have a wealth of training in both complex as well as minimally invasive procedures, surgery is typically performed only as a last resort. Doctors at ProMedSPINE encourage patients to seek second opinions when surgery is recommended. In addition, outpatient procedures are performed whenever possible to ensure clients will enjoy a quick recovery in the comfort of their own home.

In addition to offering expert physicians, ProMedSPINE offers a variety of other services to ensure patients have the best possible experience. ProMedSPINE offers several conveniently located facilities throughout Southern California in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Encino, and Valencia. Each of these locations offers the most comfortable and technologically advanced accommodations available along with a luxurious, relaxing environment.

VIP service is responsible for flight and hotel arrangements for our out of town patients to ensure they have the best possible experience. Each of the 4 ProMedSPINE facilities is surrounded by world-class restaurants, high-end shopping and tourist attractions, all of which create a vacation-like atmosphere for you to enjoy while considering your treatment options. Whether youre an out of town patient or simply visiting from Los Angeles our staff is dedicated to providing every patient with a VIP experience.


Common Spinal Conditions

At ProMedSPINE our surgeons are dedicated to not only relieving your lower back and spine pain, but to enhancing your overall wellbeing. Each of the 4 doctors at ProMedSPINE is a board-certified spine and neurosurgeon with extensive experience in all kinds of spine and brain surgery. Dr. Gravori specializes in microscopic and endoscopic procedures, zero profile implants, laser surgery, discectomy, spinal decompression, and spinal fusion among other surgeries. Dr. Edelman specializes in nerve damage and repair. Dr. Raifu specializes in minimally invasive, endoscope-assisted spine surgery. And Dr. Sehati specializes in brain tumors and brain injury caused by trauma.

Treatment for Spinal Issues

Spine conditions include, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spinal deformity, radicular pain or sciatica, spine trauma, spine tumors, and chiari malformation. Spine conditions are treated in a variety of ways, surgery is certainly an option but is not recommended until all other treatment options have been considered. Although ProMedSPINE provides some of the worlds most well renowned surgeons, surgery is a serious consideration and should be undergone only as a last resort. Many issues with lower back and spine pain are are-related or associated with poor health. In the case of age-related diseases surgery is best avoided until all other avenues have been explored due to the possibility of experiencing age-related complications from surgery. If poor health is the cause of your lower back or spine pain then there are a wide variety of treatment options that could potentially alleviate all symptoms of back pain and increase overall health.

Its important to understand the spinal conditions themselves in an effort to prevent their occurrence, or to more aptly assess your individual situation.

Degenerative disc disease- age related degeneration of the spinal discs Herniated disk- ruptured disk Spinal stenosis- constricting of space within the spine Spinal deformity- abnormal curvature of the spine Radicular pain/sciatica- pain along the lower back through the hips and legs Spine Trauma- damage to the spinal cord or nerves Spine tumors- cancerous or benign growths on or near the spinal cord Chiari Malformation- a small or misshapen skull

Contact a Spinal Surgeon Today!

If you are experiencing any pain in your lower back or spine you may be suffering from one of the diseases, traumas, or malformations listed above and should seek the aid of a medical professional to help you manage and alleviate your symptoms.

To learn more, please visit www.promedspine.com.Cutting-Edge Spinal Surgery in Los Angeles

ProMedSPINE incorporates cutting-edge spinal surgery using the latest laser spine surgery techniques and technologies. Patients benefit from the best and most advanced spinal surgery available. Board-certified spine and neurosurgeon Dr. Todd Gravori cites lower back and spine pain among the leading causes of disability worldwide. In addition to performing a variety of complex base skull and vascular surgeries, Dr. Gravori and his team at ProMedSPINE, also treat patients suffering from neurological disorders such as spinal disc herniation, spine tumors, brain tumors, or peripheral nerve disorders.

When considering spine surgery its important to recognize some of the many myths that are associated with surgery of this kind. For example, a commonly held belief is that months of recovery in bed are required following surgery. However, at ProMedSPINE surgeons treat patients with the least invasive procedures possible. This means patients will have smaller incisions, less bleeding, minimal scarring, and much shorter recovery time than traditional procedures.

Another myth regarding spine surgery is that it will cause you to be in even more pain. Patients who have undergone a negative surgical procedure are often victims of doctors who did not accurately diagnose their spinal condition. At ProMedSPINE only necessary treatments are performed and surgeons will not perform surgical procedures unless its absolutely necessary. Choosing a surgeon with years of training and experience in accurately diagnosing spinal conditions it imperative in alleviating chronic pain. All of the surgeons at ProMedSPINE are dedicated to making sure each patient is receiving the absolute best treatment options available and always encourage patients to seek second opinions when considering surgery.

Contact a Neurosurgeon Today

To learn more more about spinal surgery, please contact ProMedSPINE in Valencia today. With years of experience and access to some of the most innovative and state of the art equipment, Dr. Gravori and the other board-certified spinal surgeons at the center are experts in providing treatment for a variety of spinal conditions and issues.


Pain Management Techniques in Los Angeles

When considering treatment options related to pain management its important to understand types of pain, what might be causing the pain, and the best way to treat that pain. At ProMedSPINE our back doctors have dedicated many additional years to training with the most advanced minimally-invasive procedures. This training, combined with patient centric-care creates an atmosphere that is focused on increasing the overall wellbeing of each individual that contacts ProMedSPINE.

How to Choose the Right Spine Surgeon

ProMedSPINE consists of:

Todd Gravori, MD, who specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures and pain management. Nouzon Sehati, MD, specializing in treatment of brain tumors and brain injury caused by trauma. Murisiku Raifu, MD, with expertise in minimally invasive endoscope-assisted spine surgery. Frederic Edelman, MD, who specializes in nerve damage and repair

In addition to providing doctors with decades of education, training and experience, ProMedSPINE offers a variety of specialized services dedicated to making sure you have the best possible experience. ProMedSPINE has 3 locations spread throughout the Los Angeles area to make visiting our offices as convenient as possible. Locations include, Beverly Hills, Valencia, and Encino. Undergoing spinal surgery can be a stressful experience, so we at ProMedSPINE do our best to make sure you are relaxed and comfortable both inside our facilities and out.

Contact a Spine Surgeon Today

If youre suffering from degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or any other type of spinal disorder, please dont hesitate to contact ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles. Board-certified spine surgeons and neurosurgeons will be able to provide treatment for a variety of back problems.


Spine Disorders and Back Problems

ProMedSPINE offers a wide variety of treatment options to better assess and alleviate pain stemming from back pain. The surgeons at ProMedSPINE have spent decades not only performing surgeries but becoming educated experts in their field.

Back Surgery Treatments

Treatment options offered at ProMedSPINE include:

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery- treating patients suffering from spinal deformities, infections, tumors, instability, degenerative disc disease, or a herniated disc Disc Replacement Surgery- which treats degenerative disc disease, one of the more common sources of chronic back and neck pain Spinal fusion surgery- performed to eliminate any motion that may be occurring between vertebrae Laminectomy- typically performed when more conservative medical treatments have failed to relieve symptoms. Cervical Spine Surgery- used in a variety of ways, this surgery usually treats a herniated or fractured disc Percutaneous Discectomy- used in the treatment of spinal disc herniation Interspinous Process Decompression and Devices- help patients with lumbar spinal stenosis Interspinous Process Fusion- a minimally disruptive surgical technique that treats lumbar spinal stenosis XLIF Procedure- minimally-invasive spinal fusion surgery used to treat lumbar spinal conditions TLIF Procedure- minimally-invasive spinal procedure used to stabilize vertebrae and discs Percutaneous Foraminotomy- a procedure designed to relive pressure on nerves caused by compression from invertebral foramina ALIF Surgery- a spine fusion technique used to treat back or leg pain associated with a disc or spine condition Endoscopic Spine Surgery- utilizes advanced cameras and special medical instruments that are inserted through tiny incisions in the back, abdomen, or chest to access and operate on the spine. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion- used to remove a degenerative or herniated disc in the neck


If you are suffering from persistent back, leg, or neck pain that is interfering with your quality of life, contact ProMedSPINE today either online or by calling (888) 639-0188.


How to Choose an Expert Neurosurgeon in Los Angeles

Each of the doctors at ProMedSPINE is a board-certified spine and neurosurgeon with substantial expertise in all kinds of spine and brain surgery. Each surgeon involved with ProMedSPINE combines a high level of skill and dedication with a compassionate heart to provide the best possible environment for getting you on the road to health and overall wellbeing.

ProMedSPINE treats a variety of conditions, including: degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and spinal deformity, sciatica, spine trauma, spine tumors and chiari malformation. Although each of the doctors at ProMedSPINE is considered an expert in surgical procedures, surgery is always considered a last resort. Emphasis lies in best treating a patients needs while simultaneously saving the patient money whenever possible. ProMedSPINE is dedicated to state-of-the-art, comprehensive, individualized care for diseases and conditions of the spine.

Degenerative disc disease- age related degeneration of the spinal discs Herniated disk- ruptured disk Spinal stenosis- constricting of space within the spine Spinal deformity- abnormal curvature of the spine Radicular pain/sciatica- pain along the lower back through the hips and legs Spine Trauma- damage to the spinal cord or nerves Spine tumors- cancerous or benign growths on or near the spinal cord Chiari Malformation- a small or misshapen skull


If youre suffering from a back problem, please contact the expert spine surgeons and specialists at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles. They can treat everything from herniated discs to spinal tumors and everything in between. To learn more about pain management treatment options, please dont hesitate to contact them today!


Spine Surgery in Los Angeles

At ProMedSPINE we consider patient comfort and satisfaction our number one goal. ProMedSPINE is a medical practice consisting of 4 highly knowledgeable board-certified spine and neurosurgeons. All of the doctors offer specialties in differing areas of the medical field, guaranteeing that patients are covered when it comes to individual medical needs. Dr. Gravori specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures and pain management. Dr. Edelman specializes in nerve damage and repair. Dr. Raifus particular expertise lies with minimally invasive, endoscope-assisted spine surgery. And finally, Dr. Sehati is an expert in brain tumors and brain injury caused by trauma. Each doctor at ProMedSPINE blends their extensive knowledge with compassion, so that patients feel not only physically cared for but emotionally cared for.

At ProMedSPINE individualized treatment and patient-centric care are at the core of our values. Initial one-on-one consultations involve a full examination to identify the cause of your discomfort as well as all potential treatment options. Although our surgeons have a wealth of training in both complex as well as minimally invasive procedures, surgery is typically performed only as a last resort. Doctors at ProMedSPINE encourage patients to seek second opinions when surgery is recommended. In addition, outpatient procedures are performed whenever possible to ensure clients will enjoy a quick recovery in the comfort of their own home.

Contact a Los Angeles Neurosurgeon Today

In addition to providing doctors with decades of education, training and experience, ProMedSPINE offers a variety of specialized services dedicated to making sure you have the best possible experience. ProMedSPINE has 3 locations spread throughout the Los Angeles area to make visiting our offices as convenient as possible. Locations include, Beverly Hills, Valencia, and Encino. Undergoing spinal surgery can be a stressful experience, so we at ProMedSPINE do our best to make sure you are relaxed and comfortable both inside our facilities and out.


Steroid Injections for Back Pain

Steroid injections have a wide range of medical applications, and are used to treat a number of symptoms and painful conditions. At ProMedSPINE, the premier spine surgery practice in Los Angeles, board certified orthopedic spine surgeon and neurologist Dr. Todd Gravori and his team of expert surgeons use steroid injections to help alleviate chronic back pain, and to treat some of the most common back injuries and spine conditions.

How Can Steroid Injections Help Back Pain?

Depending on the location and source of the back pain, regular steroid injections can be an effective, temporary system of pain management and relief from pain that can often be debilitating and interfere with everyday activities like work and fitness, as well as lower overall quality of life. At ProMedSPINE, Dr. Gravori and his team of back pain experts evaluate each patient on a case by case, individual basis to arrive at a comprehensive diagnosis and find the root cause of the pain, in order to provide the most effective treatment options possible.

Because back pain can often be chronic (persistent over time) and patients can often receive one or several incorrect diagnoses, Dr. Gravori stresses the importance of obtaining a second opinion from a qualified expert, and specializes in providing treatment for patients that have either been previously misdiagnosed, or have received ineffective treatment for their condition in the past.

Steroid injections are localized, and therefore generally take effect much faster than medications that have to be fully metabolized by the body. Depending on the location and type of injection, most patients can expect to feel relief in as little as a few hours. At ProMedSPINE, Dr. Gravori and the spine surgery team offer several different types of steroid injections for a range of back problems.

Most Common Types of Steroid Injections for Back Pain

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

The sacroiliac joint, also known as the SI joint (SIJ), is located in the pelvis between the sacrum and the ilium. Supported by a strong network of ligaments, the main function of the SI joint is to provide stability and support to the spine. It provides shock absorption and torque conversion to allow for safe and effective rotation of the spine. Dr. Gravori may prescribe an injection to the SI joint either as a direct treatment for pain and inflammation resulting from an injury, or as a diagnostic measure. The effects of sacroiliac joint injections can last for several months, and may be prescribed several times per year.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections have been traditionally used to treat the lumbar (lower) back, as well as leg pain. However, they have also proven effective for relieving pain in the cervical (neck) and mid spine region. Using cortisone and a topical anesthetic, the effects of the injection can last anywhere from several months to up to a year. They are most commonly used to treat:

SciaticaDegenerative Disc DiseaseLumbar Disc HerniationLumbar Spinal Stenosis

Facet Injections

Facets are joints that connect around the vertebrae in the spine. The injections are used to treat inflammation that can lead to back pain. Pain in the facet joint is most frequently caused by:

SciaticaSpinal StenosisArthritis


Degenerative Disc Disease

The human spine consists of a framework of interlocking vertebrae (small bones) and the discs that provide cushioning and alignment to keep the vertebrae in place. As the natural shock absorbers of the spine, healthy discs provide flexibility and allow the spine to twist and bend with movement. As the body ages, the discs can harden, slip out of place, and become more prone to injury. Like the human body in general, the discs in the spine are made up mostly of water. As the discs naturally begin to lose water over time and with age, they become less flexible and provide less support to the vertebrae.

Changes in the spine resulting from age or trauma are typically the most common cause of chronic back pain, most often in the lumbar (lower) and cervical (neck) spine; however, it is possible to experience pain anywhere along the spinal column. Depending on the patient and the degree and severity of the injury and subsequent pain, board certified spine surgeon Dr. Todd Gravori and the team of orthopedic and neuro spine surgery experts at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles offer a range of minimally invasive treatment options to repair the damage caused by degenerative disc disease.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

As the discs begin to harden and deteriorate, they can collapse into the interbody space (the space between the vertebrae), causing compression on neighboring nerves as well as general instability in the spine which can lead to pain and mobility issues.

While degenerative disc disease can affect anyone at any age, it is most common in patients in their 30s and 40s. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:

Pain that intensifies while sitting, bending, lifting, or twistingFleeting pain that ranges in severityPain that alleviates after changing positions or lying downNumbness and tingling in the arms, hands, and legsWeakness in the leg muscles and lower extremities

Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease

When it comes to treating a spinal injury or condition such as osteoarthritis of the spine, as degenerative disc disease is also sometimes called, there is no one size fits all approach to treatment. Dr. Gravori and the team at ProMedSPINE evaluate each patient on a case by case basis in order to determine the most appropriate form of treatment, and offer comprehensive evaluations and second opinions to patients that may have received unsuccessful treatment for a spine condition in the past.

Conservative Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease

When caught early, before the affected discs have suffered significant degeneration and chronic back pain has set in, the orthopedic surgical experts at ProMedSPINE may recommend an initial course of conservative treatments such as:

Physical therapy and back and core strengthening exercisesLocalized epidural steroid injections at injured disc site to help relieve inflammationPrescription medications such as muscle relaxers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Surgical Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis of the Spine

When conservative treatment options fail to yield significant or satisfactory results for chronic back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, Dr. Gravori may suggest a surgical option to help repair the injured discs. The most common procedures for repairing degenerated spinal discs include:

Artificial Disc ReplacementMinimally Invasive Spinal FusionPercutaneous Discectomy


Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

New developments in medical technology and improvements to longstanding surgical procedures, particularly in the field of spine surgery, have made it possible for the experienced, board certified spine surgeons at ProMedSPINE to offer less invasive surgical options for a range of spine injuries and conditions, from spinal stenosis to degenerative disc disease and spinal trauma. Dr. Todd Gravori and his team of spine experts in Los Angeles have made it a priority to stay at the forefront of state of the art surgical techniques, such as the XLIF and ALIF procedures to name a few, in order to offer patients the most sophisticated surgical treatment for the best possible outcomes.

The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Using a less invasive approach to treating back problems and spine injuries can hold several advantages over traditional open surgery. Some of the most common advantages associated with less invasive spine surgery include:

Smaller incisionsInstrumentation that provides greater accuracy, precision, and a lower risk of complicationsPotentially shorter hospital stays and recovery time (many procedures can actually be performed on an outpatient basis)Less pain and scarring

Different Types of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Endoscopic Spine Surgery

One of the original minimally invasive spine surgery procedures, Dr. Gravori and the team at ProMedSPINE perform endoscopic spine surgery to help treat and alleviate the symptoms of several back problems and spine conditions. The procedure works by making a few small incisions and inserting a specialized surgical tool equipped with a light and a camera that allows the spine surgeon to see the field being operated on with greater clarity and detail than previously possible. Endoscopic spine surgery at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles is commonly used for the following conditions:

Spinal Deformities (Kyphosis/Scoliosis)Degenerative Disc DiseaseHerniated DiscSpinal FracturesSpinal TumorsSpinal StenosisPinched Nerves

The advantages of endoscopic surgery can be significant for patients, not only in terms of less side effects and potentially faster recovery times, but for overall health and wellness and return to quality of life.

Laminectomy

This procedure (also known as decompression surgery) is used to treat chronic back pain when more conservative treatment methods, like physical therapy, are ineffective or insufficient to alleviate back pain, which can adversely affect daily activities such as work and hobbies as well as progressively diminish overall quality of life.

TLIF Procedure

TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) is one of the many less invasive spine surgery procedures available at ProMedSPINE. Used to stabilize the vertebrae and discs in the spinal column, the TLIF procedure involves inserting screws and rods to fuse (join) adjoining vertebrae on both the posterior (back) and anterior (front) portions of the spine. TLIF is performed to treat a range of spinal conditions including chronic herniation and degenerative disc disease. TLIF may also be used to correct previously unsuccessful spine surgery.

Chronic back pain and limited physical activity does not have to become a permanent way of life. The experts at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles have more tools and techniques than ever before to treat common as well as more complicated back problems and injuries.


Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spinal fusion is a procedure where two adjoining vertebrae are surgically joined together (fused) in order to prevent movement and repair spinal instability that can often lead to chronic back pain that can cause nerve compression and potential mobility issues. The spinal fusion technique is used to treat a range of back problems and spine injuries that can lead to chronic back pain, including:

Spinal StenosisDegenerative Disk DiseaseSpinal Disc HerniationScoliosisSpinal TumorsVertebrae FracturesInfectionsScheuermanns Disease

Dr. Todd Gravori and the team of board certified spine surgeons at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles use cutting edge, minimally invasive spine surgery techniques to help patients reclaim their lives from chronic back pain, and enjoy the activities and overall quality of life that is often compromised as a result of a back injury or spine condition. When performed correctly by a skilled spine surgery expert like Dr. Gravori and the team at ProMedSPINE, spinal fusion surgery can offer a patient a new lease on life.

How Spinal Fusion Surgery Works

The procedure works similarly to how the human body naturally repairs and heals broken bones. Using a combination of metal rods, plates, screws, and a bone graft from organic or prosthetic bone tissue, Dr. Gravori will place the graft in the space between the two vertebrae, which will gradually fuse together using the bodys own bone growth and healing process after the procedure.

Risk Factors and Potential Side Effects of Spinal Fusion Surgery

The procedure is a generally safe and effective method for correcting spinal instability and treating chronic back pain, as well as many of the most common spine injuries and conditions. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are always risks and potential side effects to consider, depending on the patient and the spine condition in question. Fusing two vertebrae together will have an impact on the way the patients spine typically moves. The fused area will be immobile, which is the goal of the procedure to prevent instability and potential nerve compression and friction between the two free moving vertebrae. However, additional stress on the vertebrae directly above and below the fused unit can result, which can have an impact on the rate and likelihood of further disc herniation and degeneration other parts of the spine in the future.

Additional potential complications may include:

InfectionsBlood lossDelayed/poor wound healing

Blood clotsTrauma or injury to surrounding blood vessels and nerves in the vicinity of the spinePain at bone graft origination site (where the bone graft is taken)

Recovering from Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spine surgery has come a long way in the last few decades, thanks in large part to revolutionary developments in surgical technology such as robotic surgery, as well as the expertise and profound knowledge base of Dr. Gravori and the team of spine experts at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles. The pace and overall time it takes to recover from spinal fusion surgery will vary from patient to patient according to many factors such as the extent of the injury and the patients overall general health, but the typical recovery period ranges from three to four months while the bone graft successfully heals, with most patients achieving a gradual return to normal physical activities within that time frame.


Stem Cell Therapy for Spine Conditions

The development of stem cell therapies for a number of medical conditions and injuries has been progressively revolutionizing the way orthopedic surgeons treat chronic, painful conditions like osteoarthritis and trauma. At ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles, board certified neurologist and orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Todd Gravori and a team of world renowned spine surgery experts offer stem cell therapy as part of a comprehensive suite of cutting edge spinal care services.

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into more specialized cells. This allows for unlimited possibilities in terms of applications towards repairing injured and deteriorated bone, muscle, and tissue in various parts of the body. Orthopedic surgeons have been using stem cell therapy for some time to treat elite professional athletes for potentially career ending injuries to the shoulders and knees, for example. The use of stem cell therapy for spine injuries offers Dr. Gravori the opportunity to provide patients with a cutting edge alternative to traditional treatment for conditions such as degenerative disc disease.

Stem Cell Therapy and Degenerative Disc Disease

At ProMedSPINE, Dr. Gravori and his team of experienced spine surgeons specialize in offering patients modern, minimally invasive treatments for chronic back pain and the underlying conditions that cause it, such as degenerative disc disease. While patients were once limited in terms of the treatment options available, such as complicated open back surgery in some cases, new treatment modalities like stem cell therapy make it possible for Dr. Gravori and his team to treat patients for previously debilitating conditions, often in an outpatient procedure.

For degenerative disc disease, stem cells are used to create new nucleus cells inside the disc, rather than using an artificial implant to replace the damaged disc. The stem cells are extracted from the marrow in the patients hip bone and separated in a centrifuge. Using imaging technology like an X-ray, Dr. Gravori and his team then inject the stem cells into the damaged disc. After the procedure, the stem cells progressively heal the disc over time as the new cells fully regenerate.

Stem Cell Therapy and Spinal Fusion Surgery

In addition to degenerative disc disease, stem cell therapy is proving effective in spinal fusion surgery, a technique used to treat a wide range of spine conditions including:

Degenerative Disk DiseaseHerniated DisksFractured VertebraeSpinal StenosisScoliosisSpinal TumorsInfectionsScheuermanns Disease

Spinal fusion surgery involves joining or welding two vertebrae together to minimize movement in the vertebral space, friction, and overall spinal instability when the disc becomes injured or damaged and can no longer provide proper support and shock absorption. The traditional procedure involves use of a bone graft from either the patient or a donor in order to help the fusion process through the bodys own bone growth and healing mechanisms over time. Although a safe and effective treatment method, as with any surgical procedure, there is always a slight risk of infection and that the body will reject the graft.

The use of stem cell therapy is believed to hold less risk of side effects and complications since the cells are retrieved from the patients own body and can differentiate into new tissue and cells.


Disc Replacement Surgery

As people age, the discs in the spine can become more prone to injury and wear and tear over time, or become herniated (displaced) as a result of trauma or certain underlying spine conditions. Depending on the individual patient, and the severity of the damage to one or more discs and the subsequent level of pain, conservative treatments such as rest and physical therapy are often the first method of treatment prescribed by expert orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Todd Gravori and the team of spine and neurology experts at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles.

When is Disc Replacement Surgery an Option?

In some cases, conservative treatment methods are insufficient, and fail to provide significant relief of pain and symptoms over a specified period of time. When a patient fails to respond or show improvement through conservative treatments for chronic back pain, surgery is sometimes the best option to help provide lasting relief, and to prevent further injury and deterioration of the affected vertebrae and discs. Dr. Gravori and the team at ProMedSPINE offer a range of the most sophisticated, minimally invasive spine surgery procedures available in Los Angeles.

When Dr. Gravori determines that the best course of action is to surgically replace an intervertebral disc, the old disc is replaced with a high-grade artificial replacement disc. Disc replacement is a modern procedure that has developed as an alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery in recent years. Most common in the lumbar (lower) region of the spine, the procedure has also proven effective on the cervical (neck) portion of the spine.

Types of Disc Replacement Surgery

Intervertebral discs in the spine are made up of two components. The inner portion, called the nucleus, consists of a gel like substance that acts as the shock absorber for the spine. The outer portion of the discs, called the annulus, consist of strong fibrocartilage and act as a protective shell for the nucleus of the discs. When a disc becomes injured as a result of trauma or natural wear and tear over time, the annulus can become damaged and crack, and the inner nucleus can start to dehydrate, compromising the its flexibility and shock absorption capabilities crucial to a healthy spine.

Anyone experiencing chronic back pain that has not responded to conservative treatment or healed on its own after a period of approximately six months or more should seek a consultation with Dr. Gravori or a back pain expert at ProMedSPINE to rule out degenerative disc disease. Patients that have previously been diagnosed with a spine condition should seriously consider seeking a second opinion from Dr. Gravori, as misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment can often make a spine condition worse.

There are two types of disc replacement surgery. The first option is total disc replacement surgery, which involves removing all or most of the injured or degenerated disc and replacing it with an artificial disc implant. Total replacement is typically the most common form used for disc replacement. The second option is known as disc nucleus replacement, where the inner portion of the disc is replaced with a biopolymer implant and the annulus is left intact.


Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spinal fusion is a procedure where two adjoining vertebrae are surgically joined together (fused) in order to prevent movement and repair spinal instability that can often lead to chronic back pain and cause nerve compression and potential mobility issues. The spinal fusion technique is used to treat a range of back problems and spine injuries that can lead to chronic back pain, including:

Spinal StenosisDegenerative Disk DiseaseSpinal Disc HerniationScoliosisSpinal TumorsVertebrae FracturesInfectionsScheuermanns Disease

Dr. Todd Gravori and the team of board certified spine surgeons at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles use cutting edge, minimally invasive spine surgery techniques to help patients reclaim their lives from chronic back pain, and enjoy the activities and overall quality of life that is often compromised as a result of a back injury or spine condition. When performed correctly by a skilled spine surgery expert like Dr. Gravori and the team at ProMedSPINE, spinal fusion surgery can offer a patient a new lease on life.

How Spinal Fusion Surgery Works

The procedure works similarly to how the human body naturally repairs and heals broken bones. Using a combination of metal rods, plates, screws, and a bone graft from organic or prosthetic bone tissue, Dr. Gravori will place the graft in the space between the two vertebrae, which will gradually fuse together using the bodys own bone growth and healing process after the procedure.

Risk Factors and Potential Side Effects of Spinal Fusion Surgery

The procedure is a generally safe and effective method for correcting spinal instability and treating chronic back pain, as well as many of the most common spine injuries and conditions. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are always risks and potential side effects to consider, depending on the patient and the spine condition in question. Fusing two vertebrae together will have an impact on the way the patients spine typically moves. The fused area will be immobile, which is the goal of the procedure to prevent instability and potential nerve compression and friction between the two free moving vertebrae. However, additional stress on the vertebrae directly above and below the fused unit can result, which can have an impact on the rate and likelihood of further disc herniation and degeneration of other parts of the spine in the future.

Additional potential complications may include:

InfectionsBlood lossDelayed/poor wound healing

Blood clotsTrauma or injury to surrounding blood vessels and nerves in the vicinity of the spinePain at bone graft origination site (where the bone graft is taken)

Recovering From Spinal Fusion Surgery

Spine surgery has come a long way in the last few decades, thanks in large part to revolutionary developments in surgical technology, such as robotic surgery, as well as the expertise and profound knowledge base of Dr. Gravori and the team of spine experts at ProMedSPINE in Los Angeles. The pace and overall time it takes to recover from spinal fusion surgery will vary from patient to patient according to many factors such as the extent of the injury and the patients overall general health, but the typical recovery period ranges from three to four months while the bone graft successfully heals, with most patients achieving a gradual return to normal physical activities within that time frame.


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Spine Surgery