Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is certified by The Joint Commission in spine surgery – meaning we provide high-quality surgical care for adults with back and neck pain. Experienced neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast diagnose and treat many types of neck and back injuries and conditions. Our surgeons work closely with a dedicated spine surgery care team which includes a RN spine navigator, nurses, surgical technicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Your care team has the expertise to help find the cause of your symptoms and deliver a treatment plan that helps relieve pain, increase movement and improve your quality of life. Your care plan is personalized for you and may include a combination of non-surgical and surgical treatment options.
A leader in spine surgery
Spine surgery may be an option if you have chronic back or neck pain that hasn’t gotten better with other treatment, such as injections, medication or non-invasive therapy. Some spinal conditions that may require surgery include:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Dislocations and fractures
- Herniated disc
- Infection
- Osteoporosis
- Scoliosis (curved spine) and other spinal deformities
- Spinal instability (spondylolisthesis)
- Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
- Spondylosis (age-related degeneration of the spine)
- Tumors or cysts
Minimally invasive spine surgery
When spine surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, experienced surgeons at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast use some of the latest spine surgery techniques. Whenever possible, minimally invasive procedures are recommended. These procedures use small incisions and may cause less disruption to the spine. They may also lead to less pain and a shorter recovery. Using advanced technology, our surgeons are able to view areas of the spine that are not visible to the eye. During surgery, this technology helps guide the surgical instrument as it moves and displays 3-D images of the patient’s spine on a screen. This allows the surgeon to operate using the smallest incision possible and with greater precision.
Our surgeons also use a device that produces 3-D scans of the spine during surgery. This allows the surgeon to see exactly how they are affecting the spine, and where the screws, plates, and rods are being placed in real-time.
Instead of waiting until after the surgery to take X-rays and confirm the results, our surgeons can see exactly where the implants are located in relation to the spine before the patient leaves surgery. This provides an added level of safety for the patient and could eliminate the need for revision surgery.
Types of spine surgery include but are not limited to:
Cervical spine surgery
- Neck surgery to remove nerve pressure (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion)
- Cervical disc replacement
- Surgery to help relieve pressure from a narrow spinal canal in the neck (cervical laminectomy)
- Bone spur removal (cervical laminoforaminotomy and discectomy)
- Joining two more vertebrae together (posterior cervical spine fusion)
Lumbar spine surgery
- Removing part of the spinal bone in the lower back (lumbar laminectomy)
- Surgery for a herniated disc (lumbar microdiscectomy)
Thoracic spine surgery
- Removal of a herniated disc (thoracic discectomy)
- Surgery to help relieve pressure on the spinal cord (thoracic laminectomy)
FIND A SPINE SURGEON
Helping you prepare for spine surgery
At Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, you will have a spine navigator on your care team. A spine navigator is a registered nurse whose main focus is improving the quality of your care. Beginning with a preoperative spine class called Spine Camp, your spine navigator provides education to help you prepare for surgery. Your spine navigator collaborates with your care team and helps guide you through the surgery process. Your spine navigator is a resource available to help answer your questions and connect the dots for your care – from your decision to have surgery to recovery.
Before your surgery, your surgeon will talk with you to help you prepare for your procedure. You may need to stop taking some medications before the procedure, such as blood thinners and aspirin. If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking before surgery. Talk with your doctor about the right diet and exercise before your surgery to best support your recovery. Your care team will also tell you about any restrictions for eating and drinking before surgery.
Depending on the type of surgery you are having, your surgeon may recommend that you have a pre-surgery evaluation. This appointment may include a physical exam and other tests. Our goal is to help make sure you are prepared to have anesthesia and that you have a pre-surgery plan customized for your health needs.
There are also things you can do at home to prepare for surgery, such as adjusting your bed height, clearing walkways, making sure you have essential items and more. Your care team will help you prepare your home to help make your recovery smoother.
What to expect after spine surgery
Your care team will help you understand what to expect and answer all your questions – big and small. We will also help you to manage your pain both at the hospital and after you leave, with medication and suggested activities.
After surgery, your physical therapist will evaluate your needs, create a care plan for rehabilitation and make sure you are prepared to go home. Your therapist will also help you with walking devices such as a cane or walker, if needed. Working with you and your care team, your physical therapist can help determine the level of physical therapy you may need to recover.
Your spine navigator is also available to help you with any challenges you may face during your recovery.
FIND A SPINE SURGEON
Financial assistance and support is available
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs.
Insurance coverage for surgery
Talk with your doctor or insurance provider about insurance coverage options for having spine surgery. Surgery may be covered by various insurance plans as well as Medicare. First, you may need to be evaluated by a surgeon.
Frequently asked questions
