Overview The surgical management of sacral fractures is challenging. Although they are rare injuries, they often present with a wide variety of injury and fracture patterns. Presentations vary from high-energy…
Background Each year in the United States, approximately 150,000 to 170,000 people sustain spinal column fractures; most of these will be caused by trauma, and such injuries can lead to…
Overview The technique for ipsilateral lumbar transfacet fixation (ILTF) was first described by King in 1948. It was modified in 1959 by Boucher, who reported the results of transfacet fixation…
Overview The understanding of preserving normal tissues to achieve surgical goals drives surgeons to adapt to minimally invasive spine surgery. The current posterior microscopic lumbar diskectomy is still considered a…
General Considerations Degenerative spine disease, or spondylosis, affects everyone—the infirm and the healthy, the sedentary and the athletic, the young and the old. Spondylosis occurs throughout the spine but is…
Classifications of Spinal Fractures Historical Review The classification, management, surgical approaches, and stabilization techniques for thoracolumbar fractures have been undergoing continuous evolution over the past few decades. Appropriate classification of…
Overview The posterior approach is undoubtedly the most utilized approach in all of spine surgery. It remains the workhorse for exposure of the entire spine, from occiput to sacrum, during…
Overview Although earlier reports described the use of small facet screws to facilitate spinal fusion, it was Roy-Camille, in 1970, who promoted the use of the pedicle as a point…
Overview Surgical management of neoplastic and infectious lesions of the lumbar spine involves extensive preoperative planning to ensure proper patient selection and operative approach. Despite the differences in patient selection…
Overview History Mixter and Barr first provided the description of a herniated disk causing sciatica in 1934. The surgical technique outlined the treatment of lumbar disk herniation at that time,…
