New Incision Closure that eliminates infection after Scoliosis surgery

There’s a new procedure of closing incisions in patients that after spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis approximately eliminated infections following the procedure in a test group, researchers reported in a new study. Scoliosis is an ailment that causes a c- or s-shaped curve in the spine. It is often treated with spinal fusion surgery that consist of fusing steel rods or other devices to straighten and support the spine.
 

This new technique involves using a flap of skin by assisting doctors to eliminate dead space around the surgical work where infection can grow and be responsible for a better barrier while the body is healing. During the test researchers compared records of 76 patients who were between the ages of 8 and 25 and had scoliosis surgery.

All of the patients had non-idiopathic scoliosis, a type caused by an underlying disease or condition and is often more susceptible to infection. Of the 42 patients who had the conventional procedure, 19 percent had some type of wound problem which is about the number normally expected with this surgery, researchers said. In the group who had the new method on the other hand, there were no complications or infections. 

Detailed story at http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/08/20/New-incision-closure-eliminates-infection-after-scoliosis-surgery/3351440104883/

Facts about Doctor Choll Kim of SIOSD

Dr. Choll Kim graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School and completed his fellowship training in complex spine surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is nationwide known expert in the modern field of computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery. He has trained specialists throughout the country on the safe and effective application of state-of-the-art techniques using image guidance and navigation technologies. 

Dr. Kim make use of a comprehensive choice of minimally invasive treatments to effectively treat all characteristics of complex spinal disorders, including spinal stenosis, spinal deformities (such as scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and kyphosis), traumatic injuries, tumors, and infections throughout the entire spine from the neck to the low back. A leader in his field, Dr. Kim is the founder of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS), director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Center at Alvarado Hospital and associate clinical professor at UCSD. He is a Qualified Medical Evaluator and a past voting member of the FDA Orthopedic Devices Panel which reviews all new spinal technologies. Additionally, Dr. Kim is an active member of the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and past-president of the San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association.

To know more about Dr. Choll Kim and his videos visit this link: http://sdspineinstitute.com/ourdoctors/choll-kim-md-phd.html

Watch his Video about O-arm® Technology: How Does It Reduce Spine Revision Surgeries?

Back Pain Quick Relief by Stretching Your Hip Flexors

Low-back pain is now afflicting the nation! And if you bike, run, or sit too much, constricted hips could be adding to the pain around your spine. A major hip flexor muscle, the psoas, not only pulls the thigh toward the abdomen, but is also involved to the five lowest vertebrae of the spine. When the psoas shortens and tightens from activities like sprinting or cycling, it can pull on the vertebrae, generating a sensation of tightness in the low back. The good news is that stretching out the hip flexors can relieve a lot of lower back pain. Once you are warmed up, and after every workout, you should stretch your psoas. 

More images and information at http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Back-Pain-Relief-Stretch-Your-Hip-Flexors-3368118


Related Links
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306769,00.html
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/back-pain-home-remedies
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/america-asks-13/12-back-pain-tips http://www.everydayhealth.com/back-pain-pictures/ways-to-ease-back-pain.aspx

Spinal Disorder, Injuries and Treatments

Image Source: http://lookfordiagnosis.com/mesh_info.php?term=spinal+diseases&lang=1

Spinal or back diseases frequently cause discomfort when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they consist of back braces and surgery. To some patients, minimally invasive spine surgery has likely to treat spinal diseases and disorders through much smaller incisions and with less tissue partition.

Leading clinical studies that examine outcomes of minimally invasive procedures to see to what range they differ from standard open techniques. Spinal nerve and cord function is checked routinely during surgery to prevent injury to vital neurological structures. The total goals of treatment are pain relief, prevention of paralysis and restoration of functional capability.

Detailed information at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spineinjuriesanddisorders.html

Related Links:
http://neurosurgery.med.miami.edu/clinical-subspecialties/the-spine-institute/spinal-degenerative-disease
http://neurosurgery.ucsf.edu/index.php/neurospinal_disorders.html
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/causes-of-back-pain
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/neurological_institute/spine/diseases-conditions-anatomy/spine

Video: About Spine Institute of San Diego (SIOSD)

Video About Spine Institute of San Diego a.k.a... by siosd

At Alvarado Hospital's Advanced Spine Institute, we are committed in providing a groundbreaking approach to comprehensive spine care that is unsurpassed. We've joined some of the area's best board-certified experts with leading-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a full range of devoted support specialists all under one roof. Our goal is to improve your spinal health and get you back in appreciating your everyday activities.

"Our goal at the Spine Institute of San Diego is to maximize function through muscle preservation and strengthening. We have a state-of-the-art fitness program that targets the spinal muscles. If surgery is required, we employ the latest endoscopic minimally invasive techniques to preserve muscle function. We also specialize in disc replacement and joint preservation surgeries".

Kamshad Raiszadeh, M.D.
Paul D. Kim, M.D.
Choll W. Kim, M.D., P.h.D.
Ramin Raiszadeh, M.D.


More info at http://sdspineinstitute.com/about-us.html

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Image Source:http://www.acsneuro.com/patient_resources/minimally_invasive_surgery

Below are the summary of benefits of MIS:

Less Pain
MIS process cause less post-operative discomfort and pain.

Shorter Hospital Stay
Decreased span of hospital stay and most MIS procedures are usually accompany with a 23 hour discharge or scheduled outpatient surgery

Less Scarring and Increased safety
MIS procedures require only smaller slits -- which means smaller, less obvious scars. With smaller incisions, there’s less trauma to the body and far less blood loss

Less Injury to Tissue
Most old-fashioned surgeries require a long incision. This incision usually has to be made through muscle. Muscle needs a significant time to heal after surgery.

Higher Accuracy Rate
A higher accuracy rate for most procedures. Because MIS procedures use video-assisted equipment, the surgeon has better visualization and magnification of internal organs and structure.

Faster recovery
Though recovery from traditional surgeries normally takes six to eight weeks, patients who have go through minimally invasive procedures typically recover in only two.


Read more at Benefits of Minimally Invasive Procedures via The University of Chicago Medicine