We specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery, which offers smaller incisions, less muscle disruption, reduced blood loss, lower risk of infection, and significantly less postoperative pain. These advantages typically translate to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and a quicker return to the activities you value most.
Above all, we believe in empowering our patients with clear knowledge and personalized resources so they can achieve lasting spinal health and improved quality of life.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a proven surgical procedure performed through a small incision in the front of the neck to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots caused by a damaged or degenerative disc.
During the procedure, the unhealthy disc is carefully removed (discectomy), the nerve structures are decompressed, and an interbody fusion implant is placed into the disc space to restore height and promote bone growth between the vertebrae. Stability is typically achieved with a cervical plate and screws, or an integrated plate-spacer construct, allowing the bones to fuse securely over time.
At Spine by Villamil, MD, we utilize advanced ACDF solutions from Globus Medical, including their innovative interbody spacers, integrated plate-spacer systems, and low-profile cervical plates. These technologies are designed to enhance stability, support reliable fusion, and optimize patient outcomes.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) is a spine procedure performed through a small incision in the lower abdomen to access the front of the lumbar spine. It is commonly used to treat degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and related conditions that cause back or leg pain.
The damaged disc is removed, the disc space is prepared, and a large interbody implant is placed to restore disc height, improve alignment, and promote fusion between the vertebrae. Supplemental fixation is often added for stability. The anterior approach allows for excellent visualization, placement of a substantial implant footprint, and effective indirect decompression while sparing the back muscles.
At Spine by Villamil, MD, we utilize advanced interbody solutions such as Spineology’s OptiMesh®, a unique conforming, patient-specific expandable mesh implant. Inserted through a small profile and filled with bone graft in situ, OptiMesh expands multiplanar to create a large, endplate-conforming footprint comparable to traditional ALIF implants—supporting robust fusion, disc height restoration, and optimized alignment.
eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) is a minimally invasive spine procedure performed through a small incision on the side of the body to treat a range of lumbar conditions, including degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
The patient is positioned on their side. Using specialized nerve-monitoring technology, the surgeon creates a safe pathway through the psoas muscle to reach the affected disc. The damaged disc is removed, an interbody implant is placed to restore disc height and alignment, and the vertebrae are stabilized to promote fusion. Supplemental fixation (such as plates or posterior instrumentation) may be added when needed.
At Spine by Villamil, MD, we utilize the XLIF technique pioneered by NuVasive, incorporating their advanced access systems and real-time neuromonitoring to enhance safety, reduce tissue disruption, and support more predictable outcomes with less blood loss and faster recovery compared with traditional open approaches.
Total Disc Arthroplasty (also known as cervical total disc replacement or artificial disc replacement) is a motion-preserving alternative to traditional fusion surgery for select patients with symptomatic cervical disc disease.
Through a small incision in the front of the neck, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc prosthesis designed to restore disc height, decompress nerves, and maintain natural segmental motion.
At Spine by Villamil, MD, we utilize the Mobi-C® Cervical Disc—the first artificial disc FDA-approved for both one- and two-level use. This mobile-bearing implant features cobalt-chromium endplates and a polyethylene core that allows controlled motion in multiple planes. Its bone-sparing design requires no keels or screws, facilitating a streamlined insertion while supporting long-term motion preservation and favorable clinical outcomes compared with fusion in appropriately selected patients.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, most commonly caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer-related weakening of the bone.
Under imaging guidance, a small incision is made in the back and a balloon (or expandable implant) is carefully inserted into the collapsed vertebra. The device is expanded to help restore vertebral height and create a cavity. Once the desired correction is achieved, the balloon is removed and the cavity is filled with bone cement, which hardens to stabilize the fracture and provide rapid pain relief.
At Spine by Villamil, MD, we utilize advanced vertebral augmentation solutions from Stryker, including their balloon kyphoplasty systems and the SpineJack® expandable implant. These technologies are designed to restore anatomy, stabilize the fracture, and support improved mobility and quality of life with a low complication profile, typically performed on an outpatient basis.
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