Technology
New and better ways
To relieve pain and return to living again
Dr. Washington is dedicated to treating his patients with the most advanced technology and techniques available – whether that’s offering new and better nonsurgical options, or performing surgeries using state-of-the-art methods.
Some of those methods include the following:
Less trauma, quicker recovery
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Patients undergoing spine surgery with Dr. Washington will be happy to know that most procedures he performs are minimally invasive. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) is a type of surgical technique that can be used to correct problems with far less trauma to surrounding tissues than traditional or “open” surgery. Because MISS allows for such small incisions, damage to the surrounding muscle and tissue is avoided. Benefits include:
- Quicker recovery time over traditional surgery
- Less blood loss
- Decreased postoperative pain
- Smaller incision means less scarring
- Improved recovery time
- Less risk of infection after surgery
- Fewer surgical complications
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Dr. Washington’s goal in performing minimally invasive spine surgery is to achieve outcomes equivalent to those of open surgery while minimizing muscle dissection, disruption of muscles, and collateral damage to soft tissues.
When performing minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Washington makes a much smaller incision – usually less than one inch – and then uses computer-aided surgical technology and specialized tools to perform highly accurate and detailed surgery.
Although it depends on the actual condition and surgical procedure, most people who receive minimally invasive spinal surgery enjoy a rapid and full recovery following their treatment.
Advanced visualization
CT Navigated Spine Surgery
One of the reasons minimally invasive spine surgeons like Dr. Washington are able to make smaller incisions is thanks, in part, to better imaging techniques like Computed Tomography (CT) navigation. Instead of having to make a large incision to see inside the area upon which he is operating, Dr. Washington can use advanced visualization of the operative field through CT navigation images.
Similar to a car or mobile phone GPS, CT navigated spine surgery continuously tracks locations of the patient’s anatomy while displaying them on a monitor before, during, and after surgery in real-time, three-dimensional images of the patient’s spine in relation to the surgical instruments being used.
With navigation-assisted technology, Dr. Washington can get a better view of the patient’s anatomy, which, in turn, gives greater surgical accuracy and an increased ability to implement minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Retaining normal movement
Motion Sparing Spine Surgery
Movement is integral to our existence, but as we age, our bodies, particularly our spines, can be compromised due to injuries or illnesses, impeding our ability to engage in daily routines.
Often, non-surgical treatments like physical therapy or injections can alleviate discomfort for many. However, for some individuals, these methods may not be sufficient, and spine surgery might be the sole solution.
There are typically two types of spine surgeries: fusion and motion-preserving. Both have their merits and the choice between them depends on several factors such as your specific condition, your activity level, your goals, and your overall health status.
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Fusion surgery, a more conventional approach, involves the use of a bone graft to permanently join two vertebrae. While this generally eradicates pain, it also eliminates the movement between the fused segments.
Conversely, motion-preserving spine surgery provides dual benefits - it not only alleviates pressure on your spinal cord and nerves but also maintains your mobility without the need for fusing the impacted area.
Dr. Washington specializes in both fusion and motion-preserving spine surgeries, but he identifies primarily as a motion-sparing spine surgeon, proficient in the latest minimally invasive procedures to preserve the motion of the spine, whenever possible.
The most frequent motion-preserving spine surgery that Dr. Washington undertakes is artificial disc replacement, applicable to both the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine.
