World renowned spine surgeon Dr. Michelson and Dr. Shiffman are Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons, specializing in disorders of the spine. They believe that most back problems can be treated successfully with non-invasive procedures and fully embrace the multi-disciplinary approach to spine care. Only when these measures fail, however, is surgery considered. And then they use the most advanced technology and, whenever possible, the most minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Dr. Michelson is world renowned for having invented the state-of-the-art surgical procedure called Threaded Interbody Fusion Cage. This innovative surgical procedure is being used world wide and works in the following manner: In your lower back, there are five moveable bones or vertebrae that make up the lumbar spine. Between each vertebra is a cushion-like material called a disc. Your disc can wear down (degenerate) or dry out and cause some of your disc space to collapse. With the collapse of the disc space the nerves can be pinched, causing low back and/or leg pain.

Dr. Michelson's technique only requires a relatively small incision in the skin in which two small threaded metal cylinders (cages) are precisionaly inserted into the collapsed disc space. This relatively quick procedure restores the degenerative disc space to or near its original height, thereby relieving pressure on the nerve and joints.

Further, traditional fusion techniques approach the disc from the back by making a large incision in the skin along the spine. Then the thick back muscles have to be cut and spread apart in order to expose the vertebrae. After that, part of the vertebrae (bone) has to be cut away in order to expose the collapsed disc. Obviously, this causes significant soft tissue and bone damage, not to mention extended surgery time, scarring and recovery time.

Dr. Michelson has patented a procedure by which his highly preferred interbody cages are inserted from the front of the spine. Through a small incision in the side of the neck or stomach, the surgeon can reach the collapsed disc without having to cut through the large back muscles or vertebrae. This technique has significant advantages over traditional fusion techniques. Some of the more obvious are:

It is important to know that disc degeneration affects about 12 million people in the U.S. of which most are between the ages of 20 and 65. Approximately 10 percent of patients with degenerative discs are candidates for some type of spinal surgery. Worldwide, an estimated 400,000 spinal fusion surgical procedures are performed each year, with approximately half of these occurring in the United States.

Other procedures performed by Dr. Michelson and Dr. Shiffman, but not limited to...

Note: Drs. Michelson and Shiffman have been working together as a team for many years. If surgery should ever be a consideration, go to the best.