Sometimes it is necessary to fuse the lumbar spine (lower back). This is done to prevent harmful movement between two vertebrae, through the disk space. Fusion may be done for various reasons, most often instability (spondylolisthesis), recurrent disk herniation, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, or severe degenerative changes. Achieving a solid fusion through a small tube, in a minimally invasive fashion, can be challenging.
However, Dr. Mather has invented a special technique, called the Sequential Transforaminal Allograft Cage (STAC) technique. He has presented this technique at international meetings, and has shown superior results compared to traditional minimally invasive techniques.
This is an x-ray of a traditional minimally invasive fusion done at an outside hospital. Note the lack of bone inside the disk space. This case needed to be revised due to lack of fusion across the disk space.
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