Dallas Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)
ACDF is a surgical procedure used to treat neck and arm pain caused by pinched nerves and worn out discs in the neck. This surgery is performed from the front of the neck. The entire affected disc is removed and is replaced with a spacer that fuses two vertebrae together.
Cervical Disc
Arthroplasty
Cervical Disc Arthroplasty – also known as a cervical disc replacement, is a motion-preserving procedure used to treat neck and arm pain caused by herniated discs in the neck. The diseased disc is removed, relieving pressure off the nerve. A mobile spacer is then placed in the space, preserving mobility in the neck.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
ALIF is a surgical procedure used to treat lower back pain and leg pain caused by several different problems that can occur in the spine. An ALIF involves taking out the entire disc from the front of the spine and replacing the disc with a spacer that restores spinal alignment and relieves pressure off nerves.
LumbarLaminectomy
Lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure used treat back and leg pain caused by pinched nerves in the spine as well as pain caused by spinal stenosis. Lumbar laminectomy is a decompressive surgery - meaning the nerves are relieved from pressure. It is often described as a ``clean out procedure``.
Lateral InterbodyFusion (LLIF)
LLIF is a procedure used to treat lower back and leg pain caused by several different problems that can occur in the spine, including worn out discs and spinal instability. LLIF involves removing the entire damaged disc and replacing it with a spacer. This restores spinal alignment and relieves pressure off nerves.
Posterior Cervical Decompression & Fusion (PCDF)
PCDF is used to treat neck and arm pain caused by degenerated discs, compression of nerves, and compression of the spinal cord. This surgery is performed from the back of the neck. It involves stabilizing the affected bones with hardware, and if necessary, relieving spinal compression.
Minimally Invasive Microdiscectomy
Minimally invasive microdiscectomy is a surgery used to treat back and leg pain caused by herniated discs in the lumbar spine that have not responded to conservative treatment. This outpatient procedure involves removing the small portion of the disc that has herniated, relieving pressure off the irritated nerve.
Navigated SpinalFusion
Navigated Spinal Fusion uses special navigation technology to ensure hardware is placed into the proper and safe location. It provides real-time feedback to the surgeon to show where the implants are in relation to the patient’s body. Navigation technology often allows for the surgery to be performed using minimally invasive techniques.
Dallas Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon,
Michael R Wheeler MD
Dallas Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Dr Michael R Wheeler, MD is a committed, compassionate surgeon who takes the care and time to educate his patients as to the best options available to them.
Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Today is the first day I have walked without pain in over a year. Dr. Wheeler was able to figure out the problem when a number of other Dr’s could not…
Vernice Wesley
Dr. Wheeler was very patient and very informative about my diagnosis. I appreciated the time he took and his straight-forward conversation ….
Lynda Transou
Dr.Wheeler and team was extremely intentional and thoughtful with my care. He took time to answer my questions and highlight non-invasive care options as a first line of defense ….
Sabrina Matthews
Dr. Wheeler is an exceptionally decent human being, a caring and competent physician, and an incredible surgeon….
Gabe Barna
Dr. Wheeler is an exceptional practitioner. He continuously demonstrates his knowledge, skills and thoughtful approach to my care. His responsiveness and patience in answering all my questions is particularly noteworthy.
Lashanna Farley
Typical Back & Neck Conditions
Treated by Dr Michael R Wheeler, MD
Cervical Disc
Herniation
Cervical disc herniation occurs when the inner contents of a disc in the neck ruptures outwards. The ruptured disc material puts pressure on the nerves that are exiting the spine. This often presents as severe neck pain, neck muscle spasm, and/or significant pain in the arm. Patients often notice weakness, numbness, or tingling on the side of the herniated disc.
Cervical
Myelopathy
Cervical myelopathy is a condition caused by compression of the spinal cord in the neck. Patients often experience neck pain, numbness or weakness in their arms, and fine motor difficulty in their hands and fingers. Cervical myelopathy can also cause problems with balance, and when severe, problems with control of bowel or bladder function.
Cervical Radiculopathy
(Shoulder / Arm Pain)
Cervical radiculopathy refers to the discomfort caused by a pinched nerve in the neck. Both acute disc herniation and long-term wear and tear / disc collapse can cause cervical radiculopathy. Patients will often feel pain along the shoulder blade that may radiate down the arm(s). Other symptoms associated with cervical radiculopathy include weakness, numbness, or tingling on the affected side.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition in which the narrowed spinal canal puts external pressure on the nerves of the lumbar spine. A combination of degenerated discs, worn out facet joints, and thickened ligament contribute to the compression. Spinal stenosis typically presents as back pain and/or leg pain that is worse with physical activity (standing / walking) and improves with rest.
Lumbar Disc Herniation
Lumbar disc herniation occurs when the inner contents of the disc of the lumbar spine ruptures outwards. When this occurs in the lower back, the ruptured disc material puts pressure on the nerves that are leaving the spine to the legs. This often presents as severe back pain, back spasm, with or without radiating pain down the leg. Patients may notice weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg.
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolistheis (sliding spine) refers to spinal instability that occurs when one vertebrae develops extra motion compared to the vertebrae below it. The abnormal motion between the bones results in accelerated wear of the disc. The worn-out disc and resulting instability causes severe back pain. Additionally, the nerve caught between the sliding spine causes radiating pain through the hip and leg.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Adult scoliosis has many causes and is a common cause of back pain. As the spine goes through natural wear and tear process, it sometimes does this asymmetrically, leading to abnormal curvature. This can lead to problems with posture, balance, and performing activities of daily living.
Compression Fractures
Compression fractures are a common cause of acute and chronic back pain. The most common type is an osteoporotic compression fracture, in which the weakened bone the collapses on itself. Compression fractures are commonly caused by ground level falls in the elderly. They are a sign of osteoporosis and warrant treatment with bone strengthening medications.
Neck or Back Pain
Although some causes of neck and back pain are structural, meaning there is an identifiable problem, many sources of neck or back pain do not have an easily identifiable cause. Overuse, muscle strain, poor posture, or other conditions can lead to severe pain in the neck or back. By using a combination of non-surgical techniques, both neck and back pain can be managed effectively.
Our Blog
Sciatica is a term commonly used to describe pain felt within the back or leg. The formal medical term for sciatica is lumbar radiculopathy. What is sciatica? There are many causes of sciatica, and I will go over the different causes later in this post. When I use the term...
When it comes to spine fusion, there are different techniques and multiple ways to fuse the spine. The spine can be fused from the front, the back, or both. "Lumbar 360" is a term used to describe the circumferential fusion of the lumbar spine. The spine can be fused using...
Around 80% of the population experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. However, some people are more predisposed to acute and chronic back pain due to injuries because of their lifestyle. Athletes have an increased risk of sustaining a lower (lumbar) spine injury due to the amount of...