"I'd suffered low back pain for years and had been from doctor to doctor.  The surgeons at The Spine Institute gave me back my life." - A 48-year-old executive

Kenneth A. Pettine, M.D.

A new invention of Kenneth A. Pettine, M.D., may offer hope to thousands of people with degenerative disc disorder (DDD).   DDD is one of the leading causes of low back pain.  As people reach their mid-40s, the discs in the spine that separate the vertebrae wear out and become more susceptible to injury.  The additional pressure of a sudden movement or heavy lifting may cause a weakened disc to tear.  The average age of a patient having lumbar fusion is 42. Dr. Pettine has three patents on a revolutionary replacement disc.  These inventions have been in development for over five years.  The disc is compatible with the patient's body tissue.  It does not limit the movement of the spine, and wear on adjacent discs may be minimal.   A very important advantage is that the replacement disc is designed to last for the patient's lifetime.  Once in place, the patient is able to bend and turn.  This may be a huge advance.  The disc is in the final stages of laboratory testing and human testing will begin soon. Dr. Pettine has recently been utilizing the RAY Threaded Fusion Cage TM and BAK Cage TM for lumbar fusion.  These devices support and separate the vertebrae while allowing the bone to grow and fuse the spine.  The result for the patient is an effectively supported spine with less postoperative pain.  "This new device may be a dramatic improvement over other spinal fusion techniques, and for many patients may mean the difference between having to live with an often debilitating condition and leading a more normal active life," comments Dr. Pettine. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery With Lasers Dr.Pettine treats many cases of back pain due to disc disease, as well as other back problems, with minimally invasive cost-effective laser procedures.  This precise technology allows the surgeon to decompress the disc without entering the spinal canal.   The operation is performed on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic.   Most patents are able to walk an hour afterwards and can go home the same day. Recovery time is short with minimal pain and few complications. State-of-the-art surgical care is just one aspect of The Spine Institute's comprehensive approach.  Dr. Pettine is joined by E. Jeffrey Donner, M.D.  Both are fellowship trained in spinal care after a five-year orthopedic residency.  They are actively involved in research and are constantly learning new techniques.  In their multidisciplinary practice, the surgeons work with psychologists, pain specialists, therapists, chiropractors and especially family doctors to help patients return to an active life after a spine injury.  The Spine Institute is dedicated to helping you get well.