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For the hundreds of thousands of people experiencing low back pain, traditional back surgery required large incisions and extended recovery times. But now there is an alternative. Through a minimally invasive procedure developed by Kevin Foley, M.D., many patients have a more attractive option to end back pain.
Consisting of rods, screws and specially designed surgical tools, the CD Horizon Sextant is a major advancement in spinal surgery. The system allows surgeons to fuse spinal vertebrae together by inserting screws and rods through small incisions, limiting trauma to surrounding muscles and tissues. This means less blood loss, faster recovery times, smaller scars, less pain after surgery and shorter hospital stays for patients.
During the procedure, screws are placed through two small, one-inch incisions. To place the screws, surgeons make two small, quarter of an inch incisions, as well. With the help of a fluoroscope, a "live action" x-ray machine, surgeons determine where to place the screws. Stability is restored to the spine, with increased comfort and benefit to the patient.
Potential candidates for this procedure are patients who have failed to respond to a good trial of non-operative care and have a:
Dr. Foley performed the first procedure using the Sextant system at Methodist University Hospital in March 2000. Dr. Foley is a neurosurgeon with Methodist University Hospital and Semmes-Murphey Neurologic & Spine Surgery Institute. He designed and developed the Sextant system with Medtronic Sofamor Danek in Memphis, Tennessee.
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