Surgical spine treatments

If you’ve tried other kinds of treatments – like physical therapy – but you’re still in pain, you may want to consider back or spine surgery. Surgery can help you get back to work and the activities you love. You might even be able to stop taking pain medication.

Treatment options for spine disorders

You and your doctor will work together to determine the best treatment for your needs. Below are just some of the surgical treatments we offer.

• Spinal fusion stabilizes your back by fusing some of your spinal bones (vertebrae) together.
• Laminectomy eases pressure on your spinal nerves by removing part of the vertebra that covers your spinal canal (called the lamina). Because this type of surgery can make your spine less stable, your surgeon may also perform a spinal fusion at the same time.
• Foraminotomy widens the space (called the foramen) where your nerves exit the spinal canal, relieving pressure on the nerves in your back. Your surgeon might perform a spinal fusion at the same time to stabilize your spine.
• Discectomy repairs or removes injured or bulging spinal discs. (This may be done as part of a larger surgery, including foraminotomy, laminectomy or spinal fusion).
• Disc replacement replaces a herniated or bulging spinal disc with an artificial one that helps your spine continue to move.
• Interlaminar implant surgery helps relieve symptoms of spinal stenosis, a condition where your spinal column narrows, putting severe pressure on your spinal cord. Your doctor will insert a U-shaped implant between two bones in your lower back, improving your spine’s stability without restricting your range of motion.

Find spine care near you

When you have degenerative disc disease, the Aurora spine program makes it easier for you to get back to the things that matter most. With a single entry point and your own care coordinator, you’ll be connected to an integrated team of specialists all working together on your personalized treatment plan. Learn more about our program locations in eastern Wisconsin.

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center

Aurora BayCare Medical Center

Aurora Medical Center – Summit

Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center

Aurora Health Center – Burlington