Kyphoplasty Surgery

December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Hello again, my name is Ramin Rak and I am writing this post to share information about another complex spinal procedure that I perform at Neurological Surgery, P.C.: Kyphoplasty Surgery.

I am one of six Neurological Surgery, P.C. neurosurgeons who performs kyphoplasty surgery. The others are:

  • Dr. Stephen D. Burstein
  • Dr. William J. Sonstein
  • Dr. Benjamin R. Cohen
  • Dr. Artem Y. Vaynman
  • Donald S. Krieff, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.

I perform kyphoplasty surgery in order to reverse spinal compression caused by a spinal bone fracture.

Individuals who experience compression lose vertebral body height and experience intractable pain. Fortunately kyphoplasty surgery removes pain relief roughly 48 hours after completion of the procedure, and patients can leave the hospital on the same day the procedure is completed.

Once the patient has been sedated, I make a small incision in the patient’s back so that I can insert a narrow tube-like needle into the fractured vertebral body.

I then use an imaging technique called fluoroscopy, which uses x-rays to provide a real-time moving image of the patient’s spinal structure, to guide the needle into the fractured area. Once a path has been made to the spot of the fracture, I insert a balloon into the tube, guide it to the vertebrae, and then slowly inflate it. The inflated balloon elevates the spinal structure, which restores vertebral body height. Next I remove the balloon and fill the cavity created by the balloon with a cement-like material that hardens quickly and stabilizes the spinal structure.

The entire procedure takes roughly one hour per affected vertebra and following conclusion of the procedure, the patient is observed in the recovery room until my doctors determine that he or she can leave.

This is how I complete kyphoplasty surgery at Neurological Surgery, P.C.

Learn more about how I complete this procedure by reaching out to me on Doctor’s Hangout.

Thanks for reading,

Ramin Rak

 

Ramin-Rak-Kyphoplasty

During kyphoplasty surgery, a balloon is inserted into the spine and inflated via a small tube.

Filed Under: Dr. Ramin Rak, Neurological Surgery PC, Ramin Rak, Spinal surgeries Tagged With: , , , ,

The X-Stop Procedure

November 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Hello all, Dr. Ramin Rak here with another blog post.

Many of my posts have focused on complex neurosurgical techniques that I have used and still use, but I also specialize in completing complex spinal surgeries for individuals suffering from back pain. One of my specialties is the X-Stop Procedure, and I am one of only seven surgeons at Neurological Surgery, P.C. who complete this procedure. The others are Dr. Stephen D. Burnstein, Dr. William Sonstein, Dr. Benjamin Cohen, Dr. Artem Vaynman, Dr. Alan Mechanic, and Dr. Donald Krieff.

The X-Stop Procedure involves the insertion of a titanium implant called the X-Stop Spacer.

The spacer is placed in order to treat back pain and leg pain caused by lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). LSS takes place when space between the vertebrae is reduced, as this lack of space causes bone or tissue to come in contact with the spinal nerve. Individuals who are suffering from LSS find relief when seated or bending over because these positions open up space between the vertebrae. The X-Stop Procedure draws inspiration from this concept, using the X-Stop Spacer to lift the vertebrae off of the pinched nerve and provide long-term relief.

X-Stop Spacer

A diagram of the X-Stop Spacer following placement.

I complete the minimally invasive X-Stop Procedure by surgically inserting the X-Stop Spacer between two bones in the back of the spine; usually L3/4 or L4/5.

The surgical site is located between the posterior spinous processes, which is an area you can feel for yourself by running a finger along your spine. The X-Stop Spacer stays in place by working with one’s natural spinal anatomy, which means that the procedure is completed without using screws or needing to be attached to bones or ligaments.

The X-Stop Procedure takes between 50 and 90 minutes, and patients are able to walk around shortly after the anesthesia wears off. Patients see results immediately after the procedure, as they will no longer experience back pain when standing or walking around.

Learn more about the X-Stop Procedure by visiting their website, or leave a comment below if you still have questions.

Thank you for reading,

Dr. Ramin Rak

Filed Under: Dr. Ramin Rak, Neurological Surgery PC Tagged With: , , ,