Orthopaedic & Neurological Procedures

We use minimally invasive, endoscopic procedures whenever possible for the best relief of pain.

Our care and recommended treatment depend on the circumstances and needs of each patient.

We design a carefully planned approach that combines orthopaedic, neurological and rehabilitative care for every patient to give the best possible result and relief from pain.

We don’t believe in using unproven medical fads, recommending only the most expensive procedures, or using a “one treatment fits all” approach. We make sure we choose the right treatment for you.

Let’s start by explaining some of the terms you may hear concerning treatment for the spine.

Minimally Invasive, Percutaneous, Endoscopic Procedures

Surgery, by its very nature, is an invasive process. Often, operations requiring sizable incisions are known as open surgeries. Minimally invasive procedures, also called minimally invasive surgeries, employ techniques that dramatically reduce the size of the surgical incision needed for the procedure.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgeries:

Reduced trauma to the body
Less damage to healthy tissue
Requires only a small incision and few stitches
Faster wound healing • Less pain, less scarring
Faster recovery than with traditional surgery
Less risk of infection

Rather than using a scalpel to make a large incision and expose the interior of the body for an open surgery, a minimal opening is made percutaneous (Latin for “through the skin”) with specialized instruments to view and access the surgery site for the procedure. This makes the benefits listed above for a minimally invasive procedure possible.

An endoscope is the specialized device your surgeon places percutaneous into the minimally invasive incision to visualize the interior structures of your body and perform the required procedure. This approach enables your surgeon to see and work without having to make a large incision. The endoscope is designed with a flexible tube and attached camera that projects images onto a monitor during the procedure. Some endoscopes even come equipped with small instruments like forceps and scissors for the convenience of the surgeon.

Endoscopic Discectomy, Microdiscectomy, and Laser Spine Surgery

Discectomy, also spelled discectomy, is the surgical removal of all or a part of an intervertebral disc which may be herniated, or “ruptured,” and pressing on the spinal cord or on a nerve root. If the incision is 1 inch or larger, the procedure is typically called an open discectomy. When the incision is less than about 1 inch, the procedure is performed as a minimally invasive endoscopic discectomy using real-time x-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to place a small metal tube into the space around the herniated disc. The endoscope and surgical tools are passed through this tube so that the designated disc or portion of the disc can be removed.

When the incision is less than about 1 inch, the procedure is performed as a minimally invasive endoscopic discectomy using real-time x-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to place a small metal tube into the space around the herniated disc. The endoscope and surgical tools are passed through this tube so that the designated disc or portion of the disc can be removed.

Endoscopic discectomy is the least invasive and most effective technique for surgical treatment of herniated spinal discs.

The procedure serves to reduce pain and restore function. Endoscopic discectomy does not require removal of bones or muscles and offers you numerous benefits:

Reduced pain of herniated discs
Restored back function
Reduced operative time
Reduced blood loss
Less damage to muscles
Less postoperative pain and need for pain medication
Often can be performed on an outpatient basis
Quicker return to work and activities
Probable cost savings

Microdiscectomy is also a minimally invasive procedure to treat herniated discs. However, it involves a slightly larger incision (around 1 inch), and rather than using endoscopy, the surgeon visualizes the spine via a specialized microscope. In addition to removing the damaged disc material, microdiscectomy may also involve removal of small portions of bone and tissue.

Laser spine surgery can be confused with minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery involves a small incision and an endoscope or microscope with traditional surgical techniques rather than lasers. Patients often assume that the majority of a spinal procedure can be done with a laser, but in fact, lasers only play a small role in the procedure. A laser beam operates in a straight line and can be used in place of a scalpel to make incisions as well as to remove layers of soft tissue, and sometimes disc material when it can be easily accessed. When disc material or other soft tissues are located in confined spaces, or if it’s necessary to remove bone and ligaments, other operating instruments are required. Often, laser spine surgery is presented as the most up-to-date, top-of-the-line surgery available, but while lasers can be effective for some procedures, they aren’t required to produce successful results. There are more modern and effective minimally invasive spine surgery techniques that offer clear benefits and use traditional instruments rather than a laser.

Spinal Fusion, Motion Sparing Surgery, and Total Artificial Disc Replacement

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to join 2 or more spinal vertebrae together permanently. It requires using a bone graft that causes two vertebral bodies to grow together into one long bone. The grafting bone may be taken from the patient's hip or pelvis, donated by another person, harvested from cadaver bone, or replaced by a synthetic bone graft substitute. The theory is that if a painful vertebral segment is immobilized, pain will be reduced. However, eliminating motion at one spinal level, can result in increased stress and degeneration at the adjacent levels. Motion preservation surgical methods were developed in order to overcome this complication in spinal fusion.

Motion sparing surgery, also called motion preservation surgery, is used to solve the issue of pain and still maintain near normal spinal motion to prevent degenerative disc disease from developing at the levels adjacent to a fused location.

A total disc replacement is a type of motion sparing surgery done as an alternative to spinal fusion. The procedure replaces a damaged disc with an artificial disc suitable to stabilize the spine, decrease muscle tension, reduce pain and mimic natural spinal motion. Performing a disc replacement may help reduce the incidence of post-surgical degenerative changes in the adjacent spinal joints. In some cases, recovery is faster than for a traditional fusion surgery. There is generally less pain from the procedure, and typically, fewer complications.

Because giving back your life is our goal and motto, we also have these additional services available to include in treatment plans as necessary to give you the best result possible:

In-office spinal injections
In-office rehab services

At Dietze and Logan Spine Specialists, we practice “Big Surgery, Small Incision, Short Stay” to maximize your pain relief!

Find out what quality, professional, state-of-the-are orthopaedic and neurological care can mean to you.

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Hear What Our Patients Are Saying...

I am very impressed with Dr. Logan! His correct, accurate diagnoses and immediate corrective action saved the life of my family member. He not only performed in the highest professional standards, but showed a personal care, comfort, and concern to family members. I would highly recommend Dr. Logan to anyone needing his specialized skills.

I wouldn't see anyone but Dr. Logan and his staff.
Excellent doctor and experience.

I am so thankful for Dr. Dietze! I am a strong advocate for this group, not only did they help me to recover, they gave me my life back! Thanks to everyone who was apart of my recovery! Dr. Dietze, I remain in your debt! Because of you, I can live life again, pain free! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! My family thanks you!

AMAZING NEUROSURGEON! Dr. Dietze performed a cervical implant with a 1-stage fusion AND a lumbar implant with a 2-stage implant. He has the BEST bed-side manor! I wouldn't trust my back problems with any other doctor!