New form of micro spine surgery being is offering hope to the 900,000 Americans who undergo such procedures each year. It takes just two small incisions and two instruments — a video camera and apparatus that repairs the damage. Procedure and healing time are fast.
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A new form of spine surgery is offering hope to the 900,000 Americans who undergo such procedures each year. Board-certified spine surgeon Hooman Melamed, MD is pioneering an ultra minimally endoscopic approach that involves making only two small incisions. In one end, he inserts a tiny fiber-optic video camera and in the other, the actual instrument that repairs the damage. The procedure allows the surgeon to decompress and release pressure off of the patients’ nerves without sacrificing any of the stability. Following the procedure, only a small bandage is required to cover the incision areas.
Melamed says that this new approach is far superior to spinal fusion because not only does it save the patients from a life of limited mobility, but the procedure, itself, is safer, takes less time to perform, is virtually pain-free, allows the surgeon greater visibility thus eliminating unnecessary guesswork, preserves most of the normal structures and function of the spine and doesn’t require any cages, rods or screws. In addition, Melamed does not issue or prescribe narcotics, which sometimes leads patients into opioid addiction.
“This new, minimally invasive approach is going to improve the lives of so many people suffering from back issues who have, until now, had their spine fused, which often seriously impacts their activity level and overall lifestyle,” says Melamed.
Melamed points to how it saved the career of a pro athlete who earns his living solely through his extraordinary physical abilities. Charles Walters, 43, has been a pro triathlete his entire adult life. He has participated in countless global events that require him to run 7 miles, swim 2 miles and cycle 50 miles — one activity right after the other — a feat most people half his age wouldn’t even attempt. In addition to substantial prize money, his generous sponsors have allowed him to live a very comfortable life.
That is until November 2020 when, as an Uber passenger, the car he was riding in was hit head-on by a drunk driver, causing serious injury to his spine. The pain he endured from his fractured back was excruciating. Injections, epidurals, painkillers…they were useless. He went from specialist to specialist seeking help but they all had the same recommendation — that he undergo spinal fusion surgery. While such a procedure would likely have minimized his agonizing pain, it would have put an end to his athletic career. He was growing depressed by the day and falling into despair until he learned about the new, alternate approach.
“I’m glad I did my research because I’m back to training again and looking forward to competing. I thank Dr. Melamed for that,” he says.
Inducted into the “Leading Physicians in the World, National Castle Connolly Top Doctor and Southern California Super Doctors” Melamed lectures worldwide before colleagues in his field, has published numerous research papers in prestigious medical journals and shared his expertise as a guest on national and local media and regularly appears on the nationally syndicated TV program, “The Doctors.” His nonprofit, “Back To You” has helped treat those who do not have the resources or health insurance. For more information, visit www.thespinepro.com or call (424)-21-SPINE
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Contact Info:
Name: Frank Groff
Email: Send Email
Organization: Hooman Melamed, MD
Address: 13160 Mindanao Way Suite 300, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, United States
Phone: +1-562-225-9981
Website: https://thespinepro.com
Release ID: 89074187
