In this book, leading international specialists in the field join forces to discuss topics, issues and approaches that are of key importance in the optimal treatment of lumbar degenerative disk disease. The coverage is wide ranging, from current understanding of physiopathology and genetics and modern imaging techniques through to the diverse minimally invasive, non-fusion, and fusion surgical techniques. Detailed attention is drawn to the most important aspects to be considered when approaching the patient and making treatment decisions. The role of conservative management is appraised, and surgical techniques and their indications are carefully described. In the concluding section, some of the top specialists from across the world reflect on the lessons that they have learned during lifetimes in spinal surgery. Advanced Concepts in Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease will be an instructive and fascinating source of information for all spine surgeons and other spine care providers.

Part I: Essentials in Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease

We've Been Standing up for 10 Million Years
A Historical Overview of Sciatica
Lumbar Intervertebral Disk Injury, Herniation, and Degeneration
Advances in Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease Pathophysiology Comprehension
Epidemiology of Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease
Genetics of Lumbar Disk Degeneration
Part II: Imaging
Imaging of Degenerative Disk Disease
Discography
Modic Changes and Symptomatic Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease. Is There Any Correlation?- Degenerative Marrow Changes: Natural History Biomechanics in Relation to Symptoms
Part III: General Important Aspects When Treating Symptomatic Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease
Psychosocial Aspects and Work-related Issues Regarding Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease
Legal Aspects in the Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease
Cost-Effective Spinal Surgery: Reality or Oxymoron?- Outcome Measures for Spinal Surgery
Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease: Workup and Conservative Treatment
Facet Joint Pain: Presentation and Treatment. Is It a Myth?- Part IV: Lumbar Disk Herniations
Advanced Scientific Considerations for Surgery in Patients with Lumbar Disk Herniation
Surgery for Lumbar Disk Herniations
Lumbar Disk Revision Surgery
Part V: Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease: Doubts, Decisions, and Techniques
The Decision to Operate: Advanced Concepts
To Fuse or Not to Fuse: That's the Question
Biomechanics of the Lumbar Degenerative Intervertebral Disk
Adjacent Segment Disease: Natural History of Lumbar Degeneration or Consequence of Fusion?- How to Obtain the Best Lumbar Lordosis
Bone Substitutes.-Techniques for the Osteoporotic Spine That Needs Fusion
The Choice of TLIF for Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
Interbody Fusion through the Transpsoas Approach
Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Instrumented PLIF in Lumbar Degenerative Spine: Principles, Indications, Technical Aspects, Results, Complications, and Pitfalls
Part VI: Minimally Invasive Techniques
Degenerative Disk Disease: Stages of Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Insights on Intradiscal Therapies
Lumbar Spine Injections: An Evidence-Based Review
Endoscopic Procedures for the Lumbar Spine: a Comprehensive View.-Minimally Invasive Lumbar Disk Herniation Surgery with Tubular Retractors: Indications and Technical Aspects
Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): Indications and Techniques
Minimally Invasive Operation for Lumbar Fusion, Canal Stenosis, Degenerative Scoliosis, and Spondylolisthesis. Is It Possible?
Spine Injections for Persistent Lumbar and Radicular Pain after Lumbar Spine Surgery
Cell Transplantation for Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disk Disease
Spinal Robotics: Present Indications and Trends
Part VII: Nonfusion Technologies
Disk Arthoplasty: A 30-Year History
Biomechanics of Lumbar Disk Arthroplasty
Pedicle Screw-Based Dynamic Stabilization Devices in the Lumbar Spine: Biomechanical Concepts, Technologies, Classification, and Clinical Results
A Word from the Inventor of Intervertebral Dynamic Fixation: on Interspinous Devices
Interspinous Process Fixation for Motion Preservation
Part VIII: DDD and Spine Deformity and Sagittal Balance
Degenerative Scoliosis: Surgical Treatment
The Importance of Sagittal Balance for the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease
Compensatory Mechanisms Contributing to the Maintenance of Sagittal Balance in Degenerative Diseases of the Lumbar Spine
Posterior Impaction Osteotomy for Correction of Sagittal Imbalance in Iatrogenic Flat Back: Surgical Technique
Part IX: Lessons from a Life
Rational Evaluation and Management of the Patient with Spinal Pain
Lessions Learned from a Life
Lessons from 35 Years in the Trenches
History of Lumbar Endoscopic Spinal Surgery and the Intradiscal Therapies
The Importance of a Registry in Spinal Surgery
Lessons from a Life: The Journey of Spinal Neurosurgery in the United States.