Case Study: Lumbar Spondylolisthesis 2
HISTORY
- The patient is a 34-year-old, obese, female school teacher with depression who has suffered from many years of low back and leg pain. She was not able to exercise because of her pain and was dependent on narcotic medications.
PHYSICAL EXAM
- The patient is 340 lbs. with severe lumbar spasms, stiffness and a change in sensation in both legs.
PREOPERATIVE IMAGING
Lateral and AP Xrays of the lumbar spine showing L5-S1 spondylolisthesis, with complete disc collapse.
DIAGNOSIS
- Lumbar spondylolisthesis with bilateral L5 pars fractures
SURGERY
- MIS (minimally invasive surgery), TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) with percutaneous pedicle screws placed between muscle planes
- 1.25 hours of operative time
- 15 cc blood loss
POSTOPERATIVE IMAGING
Lateral and AP X-rays of the lumbar spine showing correction of the spondylolisthesis, with restoration of the disc space with a cage placed through a minimally invasive access port and percutaneous screws placed between muscle planes.
OUTCOMES
- The patient went home the same day on oral pain medications with her back pain resolved and only incisional pain from the surgery.
- She returned to her teaching job two weeks following surgery.
- In a patient with her characteristics (young and obese), MIS surgery was performed with minimal muscle dissection – reducing her risk for future back surgery.
- Six months after the surgery, the patient had improved her mobility, lost 140 lbs. and was exercising with no back or leg pain. Her depression improved and she is enjoying her life free of narcotic medications.
Hospital Affiliations
Mt. Sinai
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Lenox Hill
Formerly St. Luke’s-Roosevelt
Hospital in Manhattan
Livingston, NJ
Formerly Lenox Hill Hospital
in Manhattan
Outpatient Surgery Centers
Malo Surgery Center
201 Route 17 North 12th floor
Rutherford, NJ 07070
Phone: 201-549-8890
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Midtown Surgery Center
305 East 47th St.
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-751-2100
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Advanced Spine Surgery Center
855 Lehigh Ave,
Union, NJ 07083
Phone: 908-557-9420
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Denville Surgery Center LLC
3130 Route 10 West
Denville, NJ 07834
Phone: 973-328-3475
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