Your physician my recommend surgery for these spinal conditions:

At Providence, we’re committed to improving the lives of Alaskans by providing innovative spinal fusion surgery.

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that bonds two or more painful vertebrae together to stop any movement and provide stability to the spine. During surgery, the surgeon places bone grafts or bone-like materials between the vertebrae that need to be fused. Metal plates, screws or rods may also be used to hold the vertebrae together so that they can heal into one solid unit. It's a life-changing solution that can dramatically alleviate pain and significantly enhancing quality of life.

Spinal fusion is used to treat pain caused by conditions such as fractured vertebrae, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, as well as deformities such as scoliosis and kyphosis

At Providence many/most spinal fusion surgeries and performed using advanced approaches including minimally invasive and robotic and/or computer guided technologies. These approaches not only greatly improve accuracy and safety but also can result in better outcomes.

Benefits of spine fusion surgery include:

• Pain relief: By stabilizing the spine and eliminating motion between the painful vertebrae, patients often experience significant relief from chronic back pain.
• Improved stability: Spine fusion can help stabilize the spine, which is particularly beneficial in cases of spinal deformities or severe instability caused by infections or tumors.
• Enhanced quality of life: With reduced pain and increased stability, patients can often return to daily activities with improved ease and comfort, positively impacting their overall quality of life.

It's crucial to consult a spine specialist to determine if spine fusion surgery is the best option for your specific condition and to understand the potential risks and recovery details.

Even if you are living with chronic back pain, the decision to get spine surgery can be difficult. The good news is that today, there are innovative technologies in spine surgery that not only optimize patient care but also set a new standard in surgical performance and success.

These systems allow surgeons to perform even the most complex spine procedures with a high degree of precision, flexibility, and control. These surgeries are now safer, and patients can recover faster.

The benefits include of these technologies include:

• Personalized surgical plan: These technologies are used to create a detailed model of your spine that your surgeon will use to develop a highly precise surgical plan tailored to your unique anatomy. This not only reduces the time it takes to do the procedure but improves the accuracy of the procedure and the effectiveness.
• Increased precision: Detailed 3D imaging and real-time visual guidance during the surgery allows your surgeon to delicately maneuver through and around your spine. With robotic techniques, the robot translates the surgeon's hand movements into micromovements, providing pinpoint accuracy.
• Improved safety and reduced risk of complications: The improved views, which can otherwise be challenging to see with the naked eye, and robotic precision, can greatly reduce the chances of errors, especially in complex cases.
• Less invasive procedures: Surgeries can frequently be done through smaller incisions compared to traditional spine surgeries. Smaller incisions can lead to less tissue damage, reduced blood loss, and lower risk of infection. Benefits include:
  • Less pain after surgery
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Quicker recovery and return to your life
  • Smaller, less noticeable scars
  • Fewer complications
• Improved outcomes: With higher precision and safety achieved through these technologies, that can lead to better outcomes. This means you are more likely to experience relief, and it may also reduce the need for additional surgeries.

At Providence, we have invested in our community by bringing this leading-edge innovative technology that has revolutionized spine surgeries, including robotic-assisted systems and computer-assisted surgical (CAS) navigation right here at home. Now you and your loved ones have access to the excellence and precision of advanced robotic technology, with the care and compassion that our skilled clinicians and healthcare teams provide.

Our Preoperative Clinic helps you get ready for your upcoming procedure at Providence Alaska Medical Center. Through this service, you’ll complete any necessary preoperative tests and paperwork. You’ll also learn more about the procedure you’re undergoing and be given the opportunity to ask any questions or voice concerns.

Your Preoperative Clinic appointment should be completed in person or over the phone a few days before your procedure. The appointment should be scheduled at the same time your procedure is scheduled.

To contact the Preoperative Clinic, call 907-212-6013. We are located behind the main admitting desk at Entrance 3.

We also offer preregistration services for your convenience. Preregistering expedites the admission process on the day of your procedure. To preregister, please call the hospital’s Admitting Department at 907-212-3149 with your insurance information ready.