We specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery, which provides smaller incisions, less muscle disruption, reduced blood loss, lower risk of infection, and significantly less postoperative pain. These benefits typically lead to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and a quicker return to the activities you value most. Above all, we prioritize patient education, empowering our patients with clear knowledge and personalized resources to support their spinal care journey and achieve lasting spinal health and an 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. This procedure plays an essential role in patient education regarding spinal care, as it helps patients understand how their conditions can affect spinal health.
During the ACDF 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 ultimately optimize patient outcomes in spinal care.
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, emphasizing the importance of patient education in understanding these issues.
During the procedure, 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, crucial elements of comprehensive spinal care.
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. This innovative approach is part of our commitment to patient education and comprehensive spinal care.
During the procedure, the patient is positioned on their side. Using specialized nerve-monitoring technology, the surgeon creates a safe pathway through the psoas muscle to access the affected disc. The damaged disc is then removed, and an interbody implant is placed to restore disc height and alignment, followed by stabilization of the vertebrae to promote fusion. Supplemental fixation, such as plates or posterior instrumentation, may be added as 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. This leads to less blood loss and faster recovery compared with traditional open approaches, reflecting our dedication to optimal spinal care for our patients.
Total Disc Arthroplasty, also known as cervical total disc replacement or artificial disc replacement, serves as a motion-preserving alternative to traditional fusion surgery, particularly for select patients with symptomatic cervical disc disease. This approach emphasizes patient education about surgical options and outcomes.
During the procedure, a small incision is made at the front of the neck to remove the damaged disc, which is then 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 is made with cobalt-chromium endplates and a polyethylene core, allowing for controlled motion in multiple planes. Its bone-sparing design eliminates the need for keels or screws, offering a streamlined insertion process while supporting long-term motion preservation. This results in favorable clinical outcomes compared to fusion surgery in appropriately selected patients, enhancing our commitment to quality spinal care.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures, which are often caused by osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer-related weakening of the bone. As part of our commitment to patient education at Spine by Villamil, MD, we ensure that patients understand this procedure and its benefits for spinal care.
Under imaging guidance, a small incision is made in the back, and a balloon (or expandable implant) is carefully inserted into the collapsed vertebra. This device is then 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 that hardens, stabilizing the fracture and providing rapid pain relief.
At our facility, we utilize advanced vertebral augmentation solutions from Stryker, including their balloon kyphoplasty systems and the SpineJack® expandable implant. These state-of-the-art technologies are designed to restore anatomy, stabilize fractures, and support improved mobility and quality of life, all while maintaining a low complication profile. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, reinforcing our focus on optimal spinal care.
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