Procedures

Artificial Disc Replacement

One of the latest techniques in spine surgery is AD Replacement. During this procedure a herniated or diseased disk is removed and is replaced with an artificial disk. The new disk is made out of titanium or cobalt chrome and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The average blood loss using minimally invasive technique is about one tablespoon. The advantage of a disk replacement is that it is a more natural operation that allows for preservation of motion. Dr. Pribil has done hundreds of disk replacements and has taught this technique to many other surgeons. Patients can expect to go home about three hours after surgery and can shower by the next morning. They can usually resume driving a week later. Patients are asked to do simple range of motion exercises starting a week after surgery and can expect an improved range of motion by three to six weeks after surgery. Most patients can expect to feel better two to six weeks post surgery.

With this technique patients do not need to wear a hard collar and can use a soft collar for the first week or when driving or riding in a car.

Lumbar Decompressions Laminectomy/Microdiscectomy

This advanced minimally invasive surgery has an incision that is less than one inch in size. The specific technique used by Dr. Pribil does not cut across any muscles and minimizes scar tissue formation. The average blood loss is one to two teaspoons and most patients can start showering that evening, and resume driving four to five days later. Return to work can be anywhere from one to four weeks depending on the demands of their occupation.