Video Story
Watch VideoNew spine surgical technique
Story By: Susan Davies
Source: KOAA
Published Fri Apr 25, 2008, 04:47 PM MDT
Updated Fri Apr 25, 2008, 09:56 PM MDT
Lower back pain is so common, after colds and coughs it's one of the main reasons people visit the doctor. In cases where the problem is severe, a new less invasive surgery is available to patients. The new technique called "extreme lateral interbody fusion" or XLIF puts two tiny incisions in the patient's side rather than entering through the abdomen or back. Doctor Richard Lazer of Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group says the new technique is groundbreaking. He's the first doctor in southern Colorado to learn the technique. After tracking patients who've had the surgery, he's found recovery time has greatly diminished - from months to weeks. The actual surgery is also shorter - instead of the typical four hours it generally takes two and a half hours. An estimated 10 million adults suffer from chronic back pain.
