Fusion should only be recommended after a careful evaluation of the individual case taking into consideration all factors involved, including whether much smaller procedures may be sufficient. With Non-Traumatic Spine Surgery 90% of patients avoid unnecessary fusion.
Between 1998 and 2008 the national bill for spinal fusion increased 7.9-fold and the mean total hospital charges increased 3.3-fold. However ; 1 in 6 elderly patients underwent re-operation within 2 years and 1 in 4 patients was readmitted for a Lumbar Fusion-related complication
The number of Lumbar Fusions increased 220% since 1990. However; the overall satisfaction does not exceed 60% and 40% of patient’s condition remain the same or get even worse
Dr. Lombardi has co-authored the chapter Percutaneous Diskogenic Pain Treatment in the book Decision Making in Spinal Care; D. Greg Anderson, Alexander R. Vaccaro. Thieme, 2006-2013.
In the past decade the term “Minimally Invasive” has become very popular. It basically means that a particular surgical procedure causes less “invasion” and therefore “damage” to your body THAN another surgical procedure. Please note that the term is comparative in nature. Following this line of reasoning, a surgical procedure that requires an inch incision to treat the problem is minimally invasive compared to a procedure that requires a 3 inch incision.
“ MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY IN A SENSE, IS A TERM THAT COMPARES TWO SURGICAL PROCEDURES OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND THEREFORE THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THEY CAUSE TO THE NORMAL SPINE”
“ Last January, I took a bad fall on the ice resulting in constant sciatica. An MRI revealed two herniated discs. I had two spinal injections, physical therapy, chiropractic care-none of which helped. I couldn’t sit, stand or sleep without extreme pain. Two different surgeons from well-known hospitals told me I had no choice but traditional surgery which will also include fusion…. I traveled from Illinois to California and had my procedure with Dr. Luis Lombardi….the results were nothing short of miraculous. My husband was skeptic before the surgery and now he is a believer. He had to practically carry me into the clinic before the procedure because I could barely walk. When I awoke afterwards, I had no pain. It was the best feeling in the world. That evening, we went out to dinner and afterwards I had my first night of sleep with no pain in 8 months. It is now over 2 years later and I am walking several miles every morning and able to care for my family again. Every time I think about all of this, I consider myself the most fortunate person to have found you. “
