May 27, 2009 8:25 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Fusion Surgery For Back Pain
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Back pain is the second leading reason that people go to the doctor, behind only the common cold. Sometimes, major surgery is the only solution, especially if a fusion is needed. However, a much less-invasive alternative is available.
Amanda Martignetti lived in pain for nearly 10 years, eventually going on disability because she couldn't work through it. "I couldn't walk. I couldn't stand up straight. It was just such intense pain, going down my leg and in my lower lower back. And it was awful, the worst pain I could possibly imagine ever being in," she said.
She was afraid of the spinal fusion surgery that would give her relief.
"The surgery requires often a lengthy hospital stay, long recovery period. Often patients are out of work for months, often on narcotics, medications for many weeks," said Dr. Eric Elowitz of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.
Elowitz, however, uses a different, minimally invasive technique for spinal fusion.
"The problem is that very bottom level at the l5-s1 disc and in this case the disc is very narrow with loss of plaque compared with the other discs," he said.
Instead of a large open procedure, Elowitz uses a system called the axialif, and here's how it works.
First he makes a small incision at the base of the tailbone and then passes a tube up along the sacrum to the bottom of the first sacral vertabra. By drilling through, he scoops out the diseased disk and fills the space with a bone-like material. Then a metal screw holds it all in place until the bones fuse together.
"Patients are up and walking often that day. I send patients home the next day, often back to work in one or two weeks," Elowitz said.
And Amanda is very pleased with the results. "I was a swimmer, I can swim again. Working, and I'm totally back to normal. I'm going to a party this weekend with dancing and it's great."
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