Spine Expert Q&A: Minimally Invasive Artificial Disc Replacement

An Interview With Dr. Scott Katzman: Minimally Invasive Spine Expert

Neck and back pain due to spinal disc conditions is an increasingly common issue that millions of people experience each year. To better serve our patients and to provide the best service possible at OLSS, we pride ourselves in being experts at solving disc-related issues. When it comes to minimally invasive solutions to treat pain, our Artificial Disc Replacement is one of our most successful and frequently performed procedures.

Our staff recently chatted with Dr. Scott Katzman, OLSS’s founder, lead surgeon and industry-leader of minimally invasive artificial disc replacement, to answer a few commonly asked questions about the treatment.

If you are experiencing neck or back pain and are considering ADR, or if you’re curious to learn more about how this treatment works, read our interview with Dr. Katzman below:

Q: What exactly is artificial disc replacement and how does OLSS perform this type of procedure?

Doctor Katzman: Artificial disc replacement, most often performed in the neck as cervical artificial disc replacement, involves the replacement of the spinal disc causing you pain with an artificial disc. At OLSS we use state-of-the-art device technology from Medtronic and LDR specifically designed to look and function like your natural disc. The devices work with the movement of your spine to enable full mobility upon recovery. Coupled with the latest technology, we use minimally invasive techniques to perform your replacement, which allows for less pain during the procedure and a quicker recovery after the procedure. We also perform this type of surgery in an outpatient setting, so you can recover in the comfort of your own home.

My handpicked team of surgeons and medical staff has performed our artificial disc replacement procedure on hundreds of patients using our minimally invasive methodology, the latest in research, and technology available. We specialize in minimally invasive surgical solutions and pain management with the majority of our treatments having a 95% or higher success rate.

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Q: What does “minimally invasive” mean for those suffering from neck or back pain?

Doctor Katzman: Minimally invasive surgery involves tweaking the original methods in surgery that are often invasive to treat various spine conditions without cutting through muscle to allow for a quicker recovery with less pain. Because of the recent developments in technology and research, we are able to conduct most of our minimally invasive treatments in an outpatient setting, so you can return home the same day as your surgery without the need for a neck or back brace.

At OLSS, we have the necessary tools, knowledge and experience to treat a wide range of conditions with precision and effectiveness, which speaks to our high success rate.

Since our clinic was founded in the early 2000s, our goal has always been to use minimally invasive techniques to provide a quick, outpatient experience so you can get back to living life pain-free with as little interruption as possible.

Q: What types of spine conditions does OLSS treat with ADR?

Doctor Katzman: The types of spine conditions that can be treated with minimally invasive artificial disc replacement include:

• Herniated disc
• Bulging disc
• Disc tear
• Disc degeneration
• Failed back or neck surgery
• Pinched nerve
• Radiculitis
• Radiculopathy
• Spinal stenosis
• Tingling and numbness

Which Condition Do You Have?

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Q: Is ADR a long-term solution to neck or back pain?

Doctor Katzman: The short answer is – YES! Historically, doctors have always recommended fusion surgery for conditions that can now be treated with ADR. The problem with undergoing fusion for many people, though, is that it ends up being a short-term fix.

Fusion can temporarily eliminate your pain by removing the affected disc and fusing the vertebrae together to stop the motion that induces your pain. As a result, the muscles, tissue, and vertebrae surrounding the fused area overcompensate and increase the motion of adjacent disc segments.

Unfortunately, as time passes, these overworked disc segments become worn down and yet another fusion may be required. A second fusion further limits your motion and can create additional problems for you down the road. Plus, no one wants to undergo two or more surgeries!

So, when patients qualify, we recommend minimally invasive ADR as an alternative to fusion and a long-term solution to effectively eliminate your pain.

Q: Tell us more about these fusion side effects. How is ADR a better solution than fusion for eliminating neck and back pain once and for all?

Doctor Katzman: As I’ve mentioned, until recently the standard treatment for many serious neck or back conditions has always been fusion. This is considered an outdated treatment because of not only the extensive recovery time and potentially temporary fix, but also the substantial costs it carries from repeated office visits and post-surgery pain management.

Fusion has been proven to carry the following risks:

• Painful bone grafts
• Excessive bleeding
• Implant breakage
• Infection
• Nerve injury
• Fusion failure
• Subsequent disc-related conditions

By choosing ADR and inserting an artificial disc that naturally moves with your spine, we’re able to avoid these side affects and painful complications and give you back the mobility you’ve been lacking. In addition to ADR being a long-term solution, the actual procedure itself is much less invasive, less painful, and has a shorter recovery period than fusion.

At OLSS, ADR devices have been designed to be as small and effective as possible. They work so well that you will typically not experience a noticeable difference in motion once you’ve fully recovered.

We understand that deciding between fusion and ADR may be stressful, so we always walk our patients carefully through each step of the decision-making process.

Our goal is simple: We want to enable you to enjoy the freedom of pain-free movement you once had through quick and easy outpatient care.

Q: How do I know if ADR is right for me?

Doctor Katzman: If you are not sure if ADR is the right solution for you, I encourage you to take time exploring other options available to help you determine the treatment that best suits you and decide on the solution you need.

As a part of OLSS’s commitment to our patients, we have put together a quick and easy-to-use tool to help you self-diagnose your spine condition and decide whether ADR is the right treatment for you.

Find Out if You Qualify for ADR Today

Q: Why should I turn to OLSS for treating my neck or back pain?

Doctor Katzman: I founded OLSS with the goal to provide my patients with the best care possible using the expertise I developed in my years of extensive education and research. I’ve become a pioneer in the world of minimally invasive solutions for neck and back pain and have worked to develop many advanced techniques for the treatments offered at OLSS, which have given relief to thousands of patients who’ve walked through our doors.

My team of award-winning, board-certified surgeons, and medical staff are just as dedicated as myself to provide each and every patient with a tailored treatment plan and a long-term solution to their pain.

We also pride ourselves on our reputation for having a warm and friendly staff. We go out of our way to make certain that you are at ease and as comfortable as possible throughout our treatment process.

If you’re unsure about your diagnosis, want a second opinion, or need a treatment recommendation, I recommend signing up for our free MRI Review, where we’ll walk you through your situation over the phone to move forward on your path towards eliminating your pain and living a more enjoyable life once again.

If you’re ready to speak with one of our pain experts directly, call 855-586-2615 or request a FREE MRI Review.

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