Spine Surgery Minutes from El Paso — Hospital Ángeles, Ciudad Juárez

Degenerative disc disease is the wear of the discs that cushion the spine, and it's the most common reason patients seek spine surgery consultations. It can cause persistent back or neck pain and, in some cases, pain radiating down the leg or arm. Dr. García Zamarrón evaluates each case of disc disease to determine whether conservative or surgical treatment is appropriate. It's increasingly seen in younger patients as well.

A vertebral fracture with neurological involvement occurs when a vertebra breaks and affects the spinal cord or nerve roots, usually due to trauma. This situation requires prompt neurosurgical evaluation. Surgery aims to stabilize the spine and decompress the affected nerve structures.

Spinal tumors are growths that develop within the spinal cord itself (intramedullary) or around it, within the spinal canal (extramedullary). They can cause pain, weakness, or changes in sensation. They're evaluated with MRI and removed using microsurgery, neuronavigation, and neurophysiological monitoring to protect neurological function throughout the procedure.

A herniated disc occurs when disc material shifts out of place and compresses a nerve root or the spinal cord, causing pain that can radiate to the arm or leg. It's one of the most common reasons patients need spine surgery, minutes from El Paso in Ciudad Juárez. When the case allows, it's treated with minimally invasive techniques like microdiscectomy, which preserve the muscles that support the spine.

Failed back surgery syndrome refers to pain that persists or returns after a previous spine operation. It can be caused by scar tissue (fibrosis), instability, or a diagnosis that didn't address the true source of the pain. A second evaluation with imaging studies helps identify the cause and determine whether a new treatment option exists.

Spina bifida is a congenital condition in which the spine and spinal cord don't close completely during development. It requires specialized neurosurgical evaluation and long-term follow-up. The treatment plan is determined individually for each case.

Chiari malformation occurs when part of the cerebellum extends downward into the spinal canal, disrupting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. It often presents as pain at the base of the skull that worsens with coughing or straining. Surgery is performed when symptoms and imaging findings support it.

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that can progress over time and cause pain, stiffness, or difficulty balancing while standing. In adults, it's often related to disc and vertebral wear. The evaluation determines whether observation, pain management, or surgical correction is the right path.

Syringomyelia is the formation of a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord, which can grow and damage nerve fibers over time. It can cause loss of sensation, weakness, or pain. It's often associated with other conditions like Chiari malformation, so treatment targets the underlying cause.

Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, which can compress nerves and cause lower back pain or pain radiating down the leg. The degree of slippage and instability determine the treatment approach. When surgery is needed, the segment is typically stabilized with spinal fusion.

A spinal infection, such as spondylodiscitis or an epidural abscess, occurs when bacteria affect the disc, vertebra, or the space around the spinal cord. It causes severe back pain, sometimes with fever. It requires prompt attention; treatment combines antibiotics and, in select cases, surgery to drain the infection and stabilize the spine.

Vertebral metastases occur when a tumor from another organ spreads to the bone of the vertebrae. They can weaken the spine or compress the spinal cord, causing pain or loss of strength. Surgery aims to stabilize the spine and protect neurological function, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan alongside oncology care.

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are compression fractures that occur in weakened bone, common in older adults, causing sudden back pain or loss of height. In select cases, they can be treated with minimally invasive techniques that reinforce the vertebra.