Dr. James Lynch first in Nevada to use Titan Spine’s nano technology

Dr. James Lynch became the first surgeon in Nevada to use Titan Spine’s nano surface technology for ALIF and XLIF procedures. The Titan Spine surface promotes differentiation into bone-forming cells. This increases bone production around the implant site and increases the potential for a faster and more robust fusion. In addition, the cellular process set in motion by the Titan Spine nano surface technology compels the body to produce and regulate its own BMP at the key stages of the fusion process. This supports new bone growth without requiring the use of external BMP.

Dr. Lynch performs a large volume of spine surgeries per year in both hospital and outpatient center settings. He is one of a handful of spine surgeons to complete three fellowships in the field of spine. Dr. Lynch completed a spine fellowship under Volker Sonntag, MD, at the prestigious Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Photo below shows Dr. Lynch (left) with Dr. Sonntag (right). Dr. Lynch has been named as a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Lynch has been performing minimally invasive spine surgery techniques since 2002. He was the first neurosurgeon in Reno to perform MIS TLIF and MAS PLIF procedures as well as the first to perform both cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacements. He is a national leader in out-patient spine surgery.

About Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

The Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) helps relieve low back pain or leg pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The mini-open ALIF is performed with the patient lying on their back, usually under general anesthesia. Fluoroscopy helps guide the surgeon during the procedure. The incision is made in the lower abdomen and is usually less than 2 inches in length.

About Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)

An XLIF procedure typically involves one small incision on the patient’s side. The surgeon inserts a probe and guides surgical instruments in the incision. The probe is used to help avoid interrupting the nerves. X-ray images guide the probe to the proper place in the spine. Using dilation tubes and a retraction device the surgeon gains access to the spine and removes the damaged disc. Once the disc is removed an implant filled with bone graft is placed in the empty disc space. This realigns the spine and relieves pressure from pinched nerve roots.

About fusion and advantages of Titan Spine interbody devices in use at Swift Spine Institute

The purpose of a fusion is to meld two or more unstable vertebrae together in order to relieve symptoms caused by instability. Surgeons will often use surgical implants to help stabilize the vertebrae during the fusion process, including screws, rods, and small devices called interbody cages that go between the vertebral bodies.

Traditional interbody devices are meant to restore the spacing between the vertebrae and serve as a place to hold a material called bone graft that helps the fusion occur. Titan Spine interbody devices in use by Dr. Lynch are the only implants that actively are involved in the fusion process.