About OSSI
At Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery Institute (OSSI) we are dedicated to provide comprehensive spine care including:
- Adult and pediatric spinal conditions
- Degenerative spine conditions such as herniated disks, stenosis, arthritis and spondylolisthesis
- Spinal deformities, scoliosis, and congenital spine disorders
- Spine tumors
- Spinal trauma and infections
There are several reasons as to why we are the premier and preferred spine specialists in Northern VA:
- We provide both surgical and non-surgical spine care
- If surgery is required, we offer traditional spine surgery as well as minimally invasive spine surgery
Why should you choose us?
We strive to help patients by giving expert surgical opinions, and when surgery is not needed, we help them navigate the other appropriate options by connecting them with the appropriate spine care provider for their unique problem. Our doctors are at the frontier of science and new technologies. We pride ourselves for publishing dozens of scientific peer-reviewed papers, national and international presentations and teaching the courses that other doctors around the country are learning from. Patients who come to OSSI benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach and gain access to the full breadth of care from our doctors and surgeons who are leaders in quality improvement and risk mitigation (reducing risks for patients). We are well known throughout the community as “The Spine Specialist Group.” Our excellent reputation is based, in part, on the high level of specialization of our doctors, all of whom are board-certified (American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery), fellowship-trained (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) orthopaedic surgeons who have obtained further education and certifications in their respective areas of specialty. This important differentiating factor enables us to offer our patients highly focused care, and also sets us apart from most other practices in Virginia.
What types of conditions do you treat?
At OSSI, we often see both adult and pediatric patients with spinal conditions. These conditions include degenerative spine conditions such as herniated disks, spinal stenosis, arthritis and spondylolisthesis. We treat spinal deformities, scoliosis, and congenital spine disorders. We treat patients with spine tumors (primary or metastatic), and we are well versed in treating spinal trauma, fractures and infections.
Important Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Deciding About Surgery:
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How do I know if I need spine surgery?
How do I know if I need spine surgery? The vast majority of patients with spine problems (back or neck pain) or extremity symptoms (radiculopathy, “sciatica”) can be treated in a conservative and non-surgical fashion. If a person is experiencing low back pain or neck pain, we will usually watch them over time and encourage them to maintain good, stable physical activity to see if the issue resolves. If the issue is not resolving with physical activity, over the counter treatments, or pain management and anti-inflammatory medication, the next step would be to further evaluate the cause of their pain and discomfort. Treating spine related problems requires time and patience until the body heals itself.
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What is the typical conservative management of spine problems?
Typical conservative management of spine problems include physical therapy, home exercises, medication, bracing, and occasionally spinal injections prior to considering surgery.
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When is surgical treatment appropriate for a patient?
If the patient has problems with their spinal cord, causing significant weakness in an arm or leg or limb and have tried all of the conservative treatments and have been unsuccessful, he or she may benefit from surgical intervention.
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What is minimally invasive spine surgery and how does it differ from traditional spine surgery?
There are some major differences between traditional and minimally invasive spine surgery. Each technique is best for their unique situations. Below we discuss factors to consider before pursuing spine surgery and how OSSI is positioned to deliver a wide array of spine care needs.
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What are the major differences between traditional spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery?
Traditional open spine surgery involves the complete exposure of the anatomy. In minimally invasive spine surgery, we utilize the most advanced technologies available to identify the related anatomy and perform the operation through a much smaller incision and less invasive technique. In many cases, this translates into an easier recovery for the patient. In minimally invasive spine surgery, we often use additional tools, such as intraoperative fluoroscopy, CAT scans, 3D navigation, and robotic technology to perform less invasive surgery. Whether minimally invasive or traditional, the goals are the same for the long-term; we aim to see the same overall improvement in symptoms or a halt in degeneration. The less invasive techniques allow us to perform the procedures with less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, lower infection rates and faster recovery.
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What should you look for in a good spine surgeon?
A good spine surgeon is dedicated to patient care and excellent outcomes, and is willing to learn new approaches and techniques while gaining expertise in standard approaches and techniques. A spine surgeon should also be a good communicator who is willing to spend time explaining their reason for surgery as well as the treatment options they offer.
What types of spine surgeries do we perform?
We offer an array of traditional and minimally invasive surgical treatment options for the spine.
Some of the traditional spine surgery procedures we provide include laminectomy, microdiscectomy and traditional lumbar fusion. Laminectomy is a procedure that is used to treat spinal stenosis or pressure on the nerves of the low back. The surgery involves an incision on the back of the spine that allows the surgeon to remove bone spurs and thickened ligaments that are pressing on the nerves of the low back.
Microdiscectomy is used to treat nerve pain (sciatica) that is due to a herniated disc pressing on a nerve in the spine. This surgery involves making a small incision in the low back. The surgeon can then identify and remove the herniated disc that is pressing on the nerve.
Traditional spinal fusions are used to treat instability of the spine, scoliosis, severe degeneration of the discs, or a combination of these issues. A fusion involves using bone from the patient’s body to fuse one vertebra to another. Often, metal screws (pedicle screws) are placed into the vertebrae to assist with the fusion process.
Some of the most common minimally invasive spine procedures we perform are the Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) and Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS TLIF) and percutaneous instrumentation.
LLIF is a fusion during which the surgeon makes a small incision on the person’s side, under their ribs, to approach the spine from a lateral direction. This allows the surgeon to perform a spinal fusion without disrupting the muscles of the spine. The LLIF procedure may be accompanied by another procedure that is fairly common, what we call percutaneous instrumentation of the spine. In this procedure, the surgeon places rods and screws between the muscle fibers, often using computer navigation or intraoperative X-ray as opposed to removing the muscles from the spine as is done with traditional spinal fusion surgery. When possible, we will always try to see if a minimally invasive approach is an appropriate option.
Don’t allow pain and discomfort to interfere with your active lifestyle.
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