In addition to providing general orthopaedic services, Dr. Charko also performs spinal surgery. You will receive the highest quality of care to help treat conditions causing back pain due to herniated discs, disc disease, stenosis and sciatica.
What is Anterior Cervical Discetomy and Fusion:
In this procedure a herniated disc is removed and a bone plug or graft is inserted into the space where the disc was removed. Frequently a plate and screws will be inserted to stabilize the area until the bone heals uniting the two vertebrae.
What is a Lumbar Discectomy? A Lumbar Discectomy is the removal of herniated disc material pressing on the nerve going down the leg. This can be done through a relatively small 1 ½” incision or via an endoscopic minimally invasive technique. By removing the herniated fragment the pressure on the nerve and the outer ring of the disc is reduced. The pain, which is usually in the back and radiating down the leg (sciatica), is reduced. Numbness and weakness which patients frequently can have will usually be reduced and sometimes abate completely.
What is a Lumbar Fusion? A Lumbar Fusion involves placing bone across two or more vertebrae to make them one bone or “fuse” them together. Rods connected to screws that are inserted into the vertebrae provide stability until the bone heals across from one vertebra to another. Healing times is several months.
What is a Lumbar Laminctory? The removal of the arch of bone in the back of the spine to take pressure off the sac containing the nerves running down the spinal canal.
What does it treat? This is usually done for a problem known as spinal stenosis where there is narrowing in the canal caused by enlargement of the facet joints, thickening of the ligaments and protruding of the disc. Removal of the lamina and a portion of the facet joints alleviates pressure on the sac containing the nerves. Patient’s usually have back pain and a feeling of heaviness, weakness or pain in the legs. Sometimes patients with stenosis feel better when leaning forward. One example is leaning on a shopping cart while walking in the supermarket. If leaning forward helps the pain you probably have stenosis.
In addition to providing general orthopaedic services, Dr. Charko also performs spinal surgery. You will receive the highest quality of care to help treat conditions causing back pain due to herniated discs, disc disease, stenosis and sciatica. 
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