At Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center, father-son interventional cardiologists Michael and Kevin Ball share a calling, a specialty and a commitment to caring for patients.
Spine surgery
Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons at Ascension St. Vincent offer advanced spine surgery to treat neck and back injuries and conditions. Schedule a consultation.
Spine surgery in Indianapolis
Neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons at Ascension St. Vincent offer advanced spine surgery to treat neck and back injuries and conditions. Schedule a consultation.
Creating comfort and connection at the Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital
The new Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, IN, was thoughtfully designed to promote healing and reduce anxiety through intentional choices, while honoring heritage and community.
Why choose Ascension St. Vincent for spine surgery
Experienced neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons at Ascension St. Vincent diagnose and treat many types of neck and back injuries and conditions. Your care team works with a team of specialists and is part of an integrated national network of doctors, sharing best practices, knowledge and research while delivering advanced care close to home. 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. And, we connect you with advanced rehabilitation and support after surgery.
Leaders 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. Your doctor works with you to create a personalized care plan. Some spinal conditions that may require surgery include:
- Back pain
- Broken vertebra
- Cervical disk disease
- Herniated disk
- Infection
- Neck pain
- Sciatica (nerve pain in your lower back and down your leg)
- Scoliosis (curved spine) and other spinal deformities
- Spine infection
- Spinal instability (spondylolisthesis)
- Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
- Spinal tumor
- Spondylosis (age related degeneration of the spine)
Providing the latest spine surgery techniques
When spine surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, experienced neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons at Ascension St. Vincent use the latest spine surgery techniques. Whenever possible, minimally invasive procedures are recommended, which use smaller incisions and may lead to less pain and a shorter recovery.
Types of spine surgery include:
- Disk replacement
- Minimally invasive spine surgery
- Peripheral nerve surgery
- Removal of spinal tumors
- Robotic spine surgery
- Scoliosis surgery
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Spinal deformity correction surgery
- Spinal radiosurgery
From preparation for surgery through recovery, you are connected with specialists in physical rehabilitation. We focus on neuro-rehabilitation therapies to help safely increase your muscular strength and flexibility.
Helping you prepare for spine surgery
Your care team will talk with you before your surgery 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. Having a nutritious diet and being in the best shape possible before surgery can also help your recovery. Your care team will tell you about any restrictions for eating and drinking before surgery.
Depending on the type of surgery you are having, your surgeon may refer you to a surgery evaluation before surgery. At the evaluation center, you will have a physical exam and other tests, such as blood tests, to make sure your body is strong enough to handle anesthesia and recover from surgery.
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
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, your physical therapist can help determine the level of physical therapy you may need to recover.
Frequently asked questions
Back and neck pain can range from a mild, dull ache to persistent, severe and disabling pain that may radiate down your arms or legs. Neurosurgeons at Ascension St. Vincent specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of back and neck pain. Our goal is to help find the cause of your pain and provide the right care for you. For many patients, the causes of back and neck pain include overuse, trauma or injury, infection, abnormal growth, obesity, muscle strain, muscle or ligament tears, joint problems, smoking, slipped disk, osteoporosis and more.
Talk to your doctor about back and neck pain if you have:
- Pain lasting more than two weeks
- Pain after an injury or fall
- Severe pain that does not go away with rest and medication
- Weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- Unintentional and unexplained weight loss
- A fever over 100.4°F
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Your care plan to address your back and neck pain may include therapy or surgical options. Your care team at Ascension St. Vincent focuses on helping you increase your strength and flexibility. Certain exercises, anti-inflammatory medicines, braces or injections may help relieve pain. When surgery is needed, your doctor will discuss your surgical treatment options. There are many different types of surgery to treat back pain. Your doctor will recommend a surgical care plan that’s right for you.
Get a second opinion
If you have questions about your diagnosis or treatment plan, a second opinion can help you better understand your options. Our specialists can review your medical records and history to provide an additional perspective. Before your appointment, check with your insurance provider to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records from your doctor on your behalf so they can be shared before your visit.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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