Spine Surgery

Spine surgery can provide lasting relief for chronic back or neck pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments. Kevin M. Moran, MD, in The Woodlands, Texas, is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon. Dr. Moran offers open and minimally invasive spine surgery to adults. Call Kevin M. Moran, MD, today to schedule a spine surgery consultation, or book your appointment online.

What is spine surgery?

Spine surgery encompasses operative procedures, both open and minimally invasive, that treat problems with your back or neck. Some problems can be treated with minimally invasive surgery, while others require larger incisions.

Open spine surgery

During open surgery, Dr. Moran makes an incision to access your vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and/or surrounding soft tissues. Open spine surgery usually takes several hours and requires a 1-2 day hospital stay.

Minimally invasive spine surgery

During minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Moran makes much smaller incisions. He uses small, specialized tools and computer-guided imaging to remove or repair diseased or damaged tissue.

Minimally invasive spine surgery doesn’t take as long as open surgery, presents fewer risks, and allows for quicker recovery.

What are the common types of spine surgery?

Dr. Moran has over two decades of experience performing the following spine surgeries:

• Spinal fusion
• Laminectomy (relieves pressure on spinal nerves)
• Discectomy (removes an intervertebral disc)
• Spinal decompression (opens up the spinal canal)
• Foraminotomy (enlarges the space around your spinal nerves)

How do I prepare for spine surgery?

Before recommending spine surgery, Dr. Moran completes a preoperative assessment. He reviews your medical records, asks about your lifestyle and general health, and completes a physical exam.

Let Dr. Moran know about the vitamins and medications you take. Certain drug classes, like blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications, increase the risk of complications, so you need to stop taking them before your surgery. 

If you smoke or use chewing tobacco, quitting is essential. Nicotine affects the body’s healing process and increases the risk of infection.

What does spine surgery involve?

Spine surgery occurs at a local hospital under general anesthesia (meaning you’re asleep). The exact approach varies depending on the procedure, but the process is relatively similar.

First, Dr. Moran makes an incision above a specific area of your spine –– like your lower back or neck. Then, he inserts surgical tools into the incisions to remove diseased or damaged tissue and make repairs.

Dr. Moran might use computer-guided imaging, depending on the type of spine surgery you undergo. This advanced technology allows him to make precise surgical repairs without damaging surrounding tissues.

After the operation, Dr. Moran closes the incisions and moves you to a recovery room. 

Call Kevin M. Moran, MD, today to schedule a spine surgery appointment, or book your visit online.