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 less “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 THEREFORECOMPARES THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THEY CAUSE TO THE NORMAL SPINE”
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.
“ 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. “
Before and after images of a patient treated with a Non-Traumatic Back Technique. The picture shows MRI before surgery and 16 months postoperative. Note that the fragments have been removed leaving NO SCAR behind.
Before and after images of a patient treated with a Non-Traumatic Back Technique. The picture shows an L4/5 extruded herniated disc; the patient presented with back and leg pain. Notice the important difference only 2 months after surgery. MRI images continue to evolve for 6 months to one year after surgery.
Young Olympic Track and Field Athlete who developed an extruded L5/S1 herniation. He was treated with a Non-Traumatic approach which caused no damage to the normal spine. The bottom picture shows the skin opening (1/6th of an inch) covered by a dot Band-Aid
Dr. Luis Lombardi-Olympic Athlete with Large Herniated Disc
Case Presentation: young female with an L4-L5 large disc herniation. The side MRI shows the before and after a Non-Traumatic Back Procedure which caused no access trauma to the spine
66 year-old female with back and leg pain due to spinal stenosis produced by a combination of herniated disc and enlarged joints. By treating only one factor (the disc herniation) with a non-traumatic back surgery we achieve a 93% success rate. 6 months after surgery the patient reported 99% resolution of her symptoms.
Dr. Luis Lombardi-Spinal StenosisDr. Luis Lombardi-Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal contents, especially the nerves. It affects mainly the elderly causing pain, numbness and weakness of the legs especially upon exertion.