Emerging Robotics and the Spine

robot-guided, spinal column, back surgery, physical therapy, laser, Houston

Conventional back surgery is a costly process with a long period of post-operative care. Depending on the severity of the damage to the spinal column, months of physical therapy may be necessary to re-develop damaged muscles and restore patient mobility. Physicians generally make deep lacerations into the muscles along the spinal column, prolonging the recovery process for the sake of having vision of the surgical site. In addition to prolonging recovery via requiring months of physical therapy, this practice also exposes the patient to a higher risk for surgical site infection (SSI). As such, surgeons are on the lookout for new techniques that minimize damage around the incision sites as well as maximize the chances for patient safety during recovery.

robot-guided, spinal column, back surgery, physical therapy, laser, Houston

Minimally-invasive back surgery has improved upon traditional techniques by allowing for smaller, less destructive incisions at the surgical site. Rather than deep lacerations which are then pulled aside allowing the surgeon to see the injury, minimally-invasive back surgery uses a tubular retractor to open a direct pipeline to the site. Pieces necessary for the surgery, such as screws or plates to stabilize a compromised spinal column, are then fed through the tubular retractor to complete the surgery.

Robot-guided back surgery looks to further improve this process. Essentially, robot-guided back surgery uses a system that compiles data from a computerized tomography scan (CT scan) of each patient. This scan is then fed into a 3D planning system which allows the surgeon to make calculations in three-dimensional space prior to the surgery beginning. A robot also accompanies the surgeon during the operation, mainly to reduce the possibility of human error by indicating with a high degree of precision the places where the surgeon needs to make his or her adjustments. Ideally, robot-guided back surgery will serve to reduce the post-operative care period even further, necessitating less intensive physical therapy to regain patient mobility.

The laser is sometimes used in surgery.  The laser is a tool which allows the surgeon to vaporize tissue, without the need for pulling or cutting it.  The laser can cut, or coagulate, depending upon the type of laser, and the settings of the laser.

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Nanotechnology (a field that involves changing the properties of matter on an extraordinarily small scale) also shows promising implications for a wide variety of medical disciplines, including back surgery. Presently, researchers are working on ways to regenerate damaged nerve cells in patients with spinal cord injuries, since these specialized nerve cells are unable to repair themselves. Nanotechnology may also be able to improve back surgery in the future by further reducing recovery time and allowing patients to retain a greater portion of their long-term mobility. The practices involved will likely lead to “smarter” medications that more efficiently bind to the body’s varying receptors, allowing patientsgreater control over their pain levels during post-operative care.

robot-guided, spinal column, back surgery, physical therapy, laser, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood

The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX treats patients with neck and low back pain.  Experts use non-surgical means when possible, but employ minimally invasive surgical techniques when appropriate.  KBNI cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center  (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.

Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at

…….  281-713-6296

…….  Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Keywords: robot-guided, spinal column, back surgery, physical therapy, laser, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood