Spine Neurosurgery

Spine encompasses a broad field of degenerative diseases, tumors, and trauma among other things. A variety of open and minimally invasive approaches exist and surgeons must be comfortable with all approaches in order to provide patients with the best approach. 

• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)

• Cervical arthroplasty

• Cervical corpectomy

• Posterior cervical fusion

• Laminoforaminotomy and microdiscectomy

• Minimally invasive spine fusion

• Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

• Spinal deformity/degenerative scoliosis

• Spine tumors (e.g. metastatic cancer, schwannoma, meningioma, ependymoma, astrocytoma)

• Lateral spine approaches (e.g. DLIF, XLIF, ATP)

• Spinal cord stimulators

Minimally-invasive spine surgery aims to use muscle-sparing incisions and minimally invasive retractors to reduce trauma to normal tissue as well as speed up recovery. Dr. Karsy specializes in minimally invasive procedures such as 

• Laminoforaminotomy

• Microdiscectomy

• Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

• Lateral lumbar fusion (XLIF/DLIF). 

We aim to minimize surgery whenever possible and preserve motion of the spine to allow patients the best outcomes. Being comfortable with all types of surgical approaches allows the ability to tailor the right approach for the right patient.

Spine surgery is the last resort for any patient due to the inherent risk of any type of surgery. Conservative treatments, such as physical therapy and injections, should be tried before resorting to surgery. Patients should also be evaluated and treated quickly to allow them to return to their normal activities and not have to deal with excessive chronic pain. A tailored approach for every patient given their pathology and goals is necessary. We work with a team of pain physicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to optimize conservative treatment and avoid or delay surgery if every possible.