Thomas M. Sweeney II, MD, PhD, points out an area of concern.

You don't have to travel far to find a hospital that offers innovative spine surgery. Surgeons at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) are leaders in spine surgery who perform advanced procedures that aren't widely available at many hospitals.

Thomas M. Sweeney II, MD, PhD, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon at LWRMC and the Southeastern Spine Center & Research Institute, was the first surgeon to perform a Charité^TM Artificial Disc replacement procedure in Florida once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the device last November.

In addition, fellowship-trained spine surgeons at LWRMC use minimally invasive techniques during spine procedures whenever possible. Dr. Sweeney is known throughout the United States for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery.

Patients Benefit From New Techniques
Traditional spine surgeries typically require large 3- to 8-inch incisions. Nerve and muscle damage can be complications of conventional spine surgery because surgeons use retractors to hold the muscles away from the surgical site. The retractors can disrupt blood flow to the area and harm the muscles and nerves.

To make spine surgery easier on patients, some surgeons now use minimally invasive techniques and instruments to treat patients with a variety of spine disorders.

"We can make smaller incisions, insert thin access tubes through the muscles and use tiny instruments to correct many spine problems," says Dr. Sweeney, who focuses exclusively on spine surgery. "This generally causes less damage to the tissues than traditional surgery, and patients face fewer complications, such as blood loss and infections."

Patients who undergo minimally invasive spine surgery usually spend less than 24 hours in the hospital, aren't in as much pain and can resume their normal activities more quickly than those who have traditional surgery.

Advanced Care Close to Home
Local residents with spine disorders benefit from the expertise of nationally recognized surgeons who provide care right in their community. Patients from across the United States seek care from the team at Southeastern Spine Center because of their extensive clinical experience -- and surgeons from Southeastern Spine Center perform procedures at LWRMC. The skill of Mark Harper, MD, in treating complex adult deformities and cervical and spine tumors adds to the scope of spine surgeries performed at LWRMC.

If you have persistent or severe back pain, or pain, tingling or numbness in the leg, thigh or buttocks, surgeons at LWRMC may be able to help. They can evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate nonsurgical treatments. If these treatments don't work, they may recommend minimally invasive procedures to replace degenerative discs, remove disc fragments or bone spurs, stabilize the spine, relieve pressure on spinal nerves, open narrowed spinal canals, etc.

"We have more alternatives for patients who have painful and often debilitating spinal conditions than ever before," says Dr. Sweeney. "The new Charité Artificial Disc, for example, is an exciting alternative to spinal fusion for appropriate patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. The artificial disc helps patients maintain more natural motion."

Dr. Sweeney is involved in a variety of activities to improve care for patients with spine problems. He participates in studies evaluating the effectiveness of new artificial disc implants; he has formed a corporation to develop implants, screws and rods to improve spine surgery; and he founded a nonprofit organization, called the National Spine Foundation, to promote spine education and research.

To learn more about spine surgery at LWRMC, please call 941-782-2125. For more information about back pain, please visit www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com and click on Health Information in the left column. Under Library on the left side of the next page, click on Diseases & Conditions, then click on the letter B and Back Pain.

Thomas M. Sweeney II, MD, PhD
Mark Harper, MD
Southeastern Spine Center & Research Institute
5922 Cattlemen Lane
Suite 201
Sarasota, FL 34232-6217
941-371-9773