Back pain can be a truly disabling condition, limiting mobility and impacting every area of life. For some people, back pain stems from infection, disease, weak muscles or injury. Many people shy away from some treatments because they seem so invasive.

Most doctors will first try exercise or medications, for good reason. But, in some cases, more is needed. Traditionally, for back surgery, access to the spine is through the front or the back of the body, cutting through muscle. Throughout the years, doctors have learned that this muscle has a very important function for the back and is better preserved .

Now there is a new option to access the spine through the side, called the "x-lift". Working through a small incision, the doctor uses high tech nerve probes and navigation to part the muscles along the patient's side, avoiding the sensitive nerves.

Meet Steve Wigley and see how a new surgical technique helped him overcome an old injury.
Watch the back surgery episode (wmv)


Featured Physician
Ardavan Aslie, M.D.
Sutter Independent Physicians | Sutter Roseville Medical Center

From our health information library

• Low back pain
• Exercises for low back pain
• Lifting properly to avoid back injury
• Overview of treatments for back pain
• Surgery options for low back pain
• Should I have surgery?
• Should I try manipulation (chiropractic care) for low back pain?

In the news

• Lumbar supports help prevent recurrent low back pain
• Acupuncture may improve lower back pain
• Benefit of opioids for chronic back pain unclear
• Psychological treatments ease low back pain
• Herniated disks can be fixed without invasive surgery
• Surgery or exercise for bad back debated in study

Physicians and services near you

These Sutter facilities offer special programs in neurosurgery and spinal surgery.

• California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco
• Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto
• Sacramento Sierra Region

• Find a spine specialist near you