Back surgery doesn't have to mean a long, painful recovery. New technology is transforming the way surgeons at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center perform many procedures to treat chronic and debilitating spine conditions.

William Smith, MD, a neurosurgeon at Desert Springs Hospital, is one of the few surgeons in the country using advanced nerve avoidance technology to perform minimally invasive extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) procedures that are much less traumatic on patients.

"XLIF is an exciting advance in back surgery," says Dr. Smith. "It isn't a cure-all for back and leg pain, but it's a remarkably well-honed tool that makes it easier for us to perform existing operations so patients can resume their normal activities more quickly."

Innovative technology makes the difference
Traditional back surgery typically requires a large 5-inch incision in the back, and surgeons often have to disrupt major muscles, tissue and nerves to reach the spine. The XLIF technology, however, gives surgeons a new, more effective way of gaining access to the spine.

During the XLIF procedure, Dr. Smith makes two small 1-inch incisions through the "flank" muscles on the patient's side. Next, he inserts a small sensing device that emits real-time pulsating signals that tell him how close his instruments are to the patient's nerves so he can steer around them.

Once he reaches the spine, Dr. Smith uses newly designed retractors and other instruments to perform a variety of procedures to treat conditions of the mid-lumbar spine, including decompression fractures, spinal injuries or spinal deformities.

"This technology helps limit tissue damage and reduce scarring," says Dr. Smith, who was selected by NuVasive, a medical device company specializing in products for spine disorders, to teach other surgeons how to use this technology. "Patients typically experience less pain and shorter hospital stays, and can often begin walking within a few days."

Following XLIF, patients face four to six weeks of recovery -- a tremendous improvement over the six months or longer required for conventional back surgery. To make an appointment with Dr. Smith, call Direct Doctors^SM Plus at 388-4888.

Tips for a Healthy Back
Try these suggestions from the North American Spine Society to help keep your back in shape:

• Lift properly. Do the work with your legs, not your back. Bend at the knees, not the waist, and lift straight up with the weight as close to your body as possible.
• Stay in shape. Exercise keeps the abdominal muscles supporting your back strong and flexible.
• Control your weight. Obesity is a major factor in developing low back pain.
• Quit smoking. Smoking constricts small blood vessels, cutting blood flow to tissues such as the discs that cushion vertebrae, speeding degeneration.
• Choose a back-healthy sleep position. Put a couple of pillows under your knees or lie on your side with a pillow between your knees.
• Maintain good posture. When sitting, keep your knees slightly higher than your hips.