Spinal Fusion Surgery and New Technologies [Video]

About the video: Are there any innovations or new technologies in spinal fusion surgery?

Summit Orthopedics’ spine experts David Strothman, M.D. and Nicholas Wills, M.D. explain the technological advances in spinal fusion surgery and discuss the advantages of minimally invasive spine procedures.

Meet David Strothman, M.D.

Dr. Strothman’s approach: “Spinal disorders are complex and disabling. As your surgeon I will explain your diagnosis and treatment options, both operative and non-operative, in a way that you can understand thereby allowing you to make informed decisions. I am rewarded daily by improving the quality of life of patients receiving my care.”

Dr. Strothman’s education: Following his undergraduate studies at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, Dr. Strothman earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. He then went on to complete his residency at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Orthopaedics, and later participated in the Orthopedic Spine Fellowship program at Twin Cities Spine Center.

Meet Nicholas Wills, M.D.

Dr. Wills’ approach: “I understand the concern of athletes to get back to their sport and working in combination with our therapists helps them there.”

Dr. Wills’ education: After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, Dr. Wills earned his medical degree and later completed his residency at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he went on to participate in the fellowship program at Twin Cities Spine Center.

Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive spine expertise

Our back specialists diagnose spine problems and design custom treatment plans built on a conservative, nonsurgical approach. Most patients find relief through treatments including guided injections, specialized physical therapy, biofeedback, exercise, activity modification, and medication. When conservative care does not relieve symptoms, our highly skilled surgeons offer proven, evidence-based surgical options. Together with you, we will determine the right course of action.

Start your journey to a healthy spine. Find your spine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a spine consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

More resources for you

• Ask Dr. Strothman: What Do I Need To Know About Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
• Meet Summit Orthopedics Surgeon Dr. David Strothman
• Ask Dr. Strothman: How Do I Prepare For Spine Fusion Surgery?
• Watch the video: Introducing Nicholas Wills, M.D.
• Ask Dr. Nick Wills: How Does An Intraoperative CT Scanner Improve Patient Safety?
• Summit Receives Prestigious Spine Fusion Certification

Video Transcription

Technology’s evolving every day in everything that we do. And one of the biggest technological advances so far in spine surgery has been the advent of minimally invasive spine procedures. They offer the advantage for less blood loss, faster recovery, improved long-term outcome, and enhanced patient satisfaction. And so, there’s some really cool things that we are able to do now today that we weren’t able to do five to 10 years ago. In the lumbar spine, one of the newest and I would say a very valuable technique is minimally invasive lumbar fusions. There is significant advantages with respect to blood loss, rate of infection that are proven in the literature that are advantageous, but that’s still a fusion. With respect to the cervical spine, however, the neck, there are very significant and very important new technologies that have come out in the last couple years that have been approved by the FDA that allow us to do cervical disc replacements rather than fusion. To me, that’s the most important and the most valuable new technology that I try to employ whenever I can.

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