Surgical Services

While non-surgical options can successfully treat most causes of back problems, some conditions may require surgery. At Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, we offer a wide range of surgical procedures, including conventional, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for communities in the Lowcountry.

Exceptional Surgical Spine Care Services Close to Home

Spinal problems and chronic back pain can keep you from doing the things you love. That is why choosing the type of treatment is an important decision. When conservative options do not provide complete pain relief, our spine care team can perform surgical back and spine procedures, including minimally invasive surgery that may result in shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.

We believe that each person experiences back pain and other spinal conditions differently. Our spine care team at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare will partner with you to provide an individualized treatment plan and help ensure seamless care coordination for various neurovascular, neuro-oncology and spinal conditions.

Some of the conditions we treat with surgical spine procedures include:

Herniated discs
Myelopathy and stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Vertebral fractures
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal cord compression
Sciatica

We have an extensive network of healthcare providers to attend to your needs. Fill out our request referral form, and we'll connect you to our dedicated staff to provide helpful information about our doctors and assist you in making an appointment.

What Is a Back Doctor Called?

Depending on the cause of the spine condition, your treatment team may consist of the following health care providers:

Pain specialists – physicians with specialized training in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of different types of pain, including anesthesiologists
Family or primary care doctors
Orthopaedists – also called an orthopedic surgeon, treats and perform surgery on bone and joint diseases
Neurologists – healthcare providers who treat disorders and diseases of the spine, brain and nerves
Neurosurgeons – physicians who perform surgery for disorders and diseases of the spine, brain and nerves
Rheumatologists – healthcare providers who treat musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune disorders
Physical therapists – trained professionals who specialize in movement and muscle strengthening

What Is Spinal Fusion Surgery?

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that joins two or more vertebrae in the spine using bone grafts or metal devices that have slipped from their normal position to heal into a single, solid bone to minimize pain or restore stability to the spine. Surgeons usually recommend spinal fusion when the affected part of the spine is arthritic or unstable due to advanced age, injury or disease.

Surgery is only recommended when all other treatments do not work. However, not everyone is a candidate for surgery, even if the pain persists.

Other types of spine surgery include:

Laminectomy – a procedure used to treat spinal stenosis by opening the spinal column and removing the pressure on the nerves
Discectomy and microdiscectomy – are surgeries that remove part of a herniated disc to relieve pressure on a nerve root or the spinal canal
Foraminotomy – a surgery that cleans out and widens the area where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal to relieve pain
Disc replacement surgery – a procedure used to replace a damaged disc with a synthetic one
Laser surgery – a surgery that uses bursts of laser energy to reduce the size of a damaged disc
Radiofrequency lesioning – a procedure that blocks pain signals from entering the spinal cord

How Long to Recover from Back Surgery?

The time it takes to return to your daily activities depends upon your condition and procedure. Patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures tend to have shorter hospital days or go home on the same day or in one to two days. Postoperative pain may be less after traditional open procedures because minimally invasive techniques do not disrupt muscles and soft tissue. Most patients having conventional surgery usually stay in the hospital for three to five days.

The healing time for a fusion procedure may take several months, but your comfort level may improve much faster. You will be taught how to move properly, reposition, sit, stand and walk to help keep the fused spine properly aligned.

Depending on the procedure and your general physical condition, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or specific exercises to help you regain strength and speed your recovery.

Why Choose Hilton Head Regional Healthcare for Your Spine Health?

When back problems don't go away with rest and medication, your doctor may recommend surgery as a treatment option. Hilton Head Regional Healthcare commits to helping you with personalized and compassionate care throughout your spine care journey. We are here for you from diagnosis through rehabilitation, including making timely appointments to help you recover after surgery.

The experienced spine surgeons at the Hilton Head Hospital, an affiliate partner of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, work with a specialized team of physicians and staff to determine the best surgical treatment options for the patient, which may include:

Robotic-assisted spine surgery using Globus ExcelsiusGPS™
Laminectomy/Discectomy
Microdiscectomy
Lumbar Spinal Fusion
Treatment of Spine Trauma
Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
Hardware Revision
Experienced spine care services with over 100 spinal procedures performed annually
Pain management
Comprehensive rehabilitation program

Insurances Accepted and Payment Plan Options

Making important healthcare decisions is integral to staying on top of your spine health. We have dedicated staff available to help you with all the information you need upfront, including financial obligations. We can help you make payment arrangements that fit your budget through our estimated out-of-pocket prices and procedures for your peace of mind. Visit our payment portal and learn about available payment options in our facility near you.

Hilton Head Regional Healthcare accepts various insurance plans and offers flexible payment plans for most treatments and procedures, including but not limited to back procedures. For more information about insurance plans or benefits, click this link to check out our list of participating insurance providers. Watch this video to learn more about our extended payment plans, or call 833-850-5053.

Do you have an upcoming procedure or surgery you've been putting off? Don't delay care. Our dedicated staff is ready to address your questions and help make financial arrangements. Go to our patient financial resources to learn more about our insurance, billing, payment plans, pricing information and estimates. For questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance provider directly.

Find a Spine Surgeon in the Lowcountry

Spinal problems can stem from a more severe condition that may require surgery. When spine surgery is a necessary option to treat your symptoms, our spine care team at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare is here to help every step of the way.

Your health can't wait. Let's help make your spine health a priority. Please call 833-383-3744 or find a back and spine doctor near your location. If it's an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Sources:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Society of Anesthesiologists
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases