Spine Surgery

Vertrae®

Kamal R. Woods, MD, MBA, FAANS

Neurosurgeon located in Miamisburg, OH

Problems with your spine can have a major impact on your daily activities and overall quality of life. If you experience chronic pain or dysfunction due to your spine condition, then it’s time to see the specialists at Vertrae® in Dayton, Ohio. Led by board-certified neurosurgeon Kamal Woods, MD, MBA, FAANS, the practice offers the latest advances in spine surgery. To speak with Dr. Woods about your condition, call or book your appointment online today.

Spine Surgery Q & A

What are common spine problems?

Your spine is a complex structure that starts at the base of your skull and extends to the lower back. Damage or disease to any of the bones, muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the spine can cause alarming symptoms like sharp pain, muscle spasms, and numbness. 

Common conditions affecting the spine include:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • Herniated disc
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Pinched nerve
  • Spondylosis


Symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, or muscle weakness can worsen without proper treatment. If you suffer from problems with your spine, neck surgery offers you the relief you’re looking for. 

Spine surgery is reserved for people with severe symptoms or symptoms that haven’t improved with conservative care. 

What are some types of spine surgery?

Dr. Woods offers a number of spine procedures, including:

Anterior cervical discectomy

Anterior cervical discectomy is a procedure that treats problems related to the discs in your cervical (neck) spine. During the procedure, Dr. Woods accesses your damaged disc through the front of your body and carefully removes it.

In many cases, anterior cervical discectomy is paired with cervical fusion. 

Cervical fusion

During cervical fusion, Dr. Woods uses a bone graft along with screws, rods, and plates to fuse your vertebrae together. Cervical fusion helps ensure the stability of your cervical spine once a damaged disc is removed. 

Cervical disc replacement

In some cases, a damaged or diseased disc needs to be replaced with an artificial one. This procedure is called cervical disc replacement. The artificial disc helps restore the normal cushion that discs provide between the bones of your spine. 

Cervical laminectomy

During a cervical laminectomy, Dr. Woods removes the roof of the spinal canal (the lamina) to enlarge your spinal canal. A cervical laminectomy is an effective treatment for spinal stenosis, which is often caused by underlying problems like bone spurs and degenerative disc disease. 

How do I know if I need spine surgery?

Spine surgery isn’t right for everyone, so it’s important to speak with an experienced surgeon to discuss your treatment options. 

During your first appointment, you and Dr. Woods discuss your condition and any procedures you’ve had in the past. He also performs imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs to take a good look at your spine. 

After your examination, Dr. Woods can help you determine if neck surgery is right for you. Dr. Woods has extensive experience performing successful spine procedures and offers the latest technologies and techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic options. 

To learn more about spine surgery, call the Vertrae® office nearest you or book your appointment online today.