Dr. Francis Lovecchio is a spine surgeon who does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
Conditions we treat
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Excessive curvature of the spine that occurs in children or teenagers. This may require observation, bracing, non-fusion surgery, or spinal fusion.
Adult degenerative and idiopathic scoliosis
Excessive curvature of the spine in adults that occurs as a result of spinal degeneration, trauma, or childhood conditions. This can cause difficulties with standing upright, back pain, or leg pains.
Degenerative disc disease or arthritis in the neck or back
Degeneration of the spinal joints or discs leading to back or neck pain. Surgery only helps this condition in rare circumstances, so oftentimes Dr. Lovecchio will refer you to a physiatrist or pain management doctor for treatment of this condition.
Herniated discs
A fragment of a disc in the neck or back pops out of place and pinches a nerve, leading to arm or leg pain.
Kyphosis
Excessive bending forward of the spine, preventing a person from looking upright, or causing severe back or neck pain. This usually occurs secondary to childhood conditions or severe weakness in the spinal bones.
Myelopathy and myelomalacia
Compression of the spinal cord by a disc or bone spurs. This condition usually requires surgery as it can lead to permanent loss of function in the arms or legs if left untreated.
Pars defects
A common condition in which an essential bone in the spine does not form properly, often originating in childhood. This condition usually only requires surgery if it leads to pinching of the nerves.
Pseudarthrosis or spinal non-union
Failure of the spinal bones to fuse together after a spinal fusion is performed.
Radiculopathy ("sciatica" or "pinched nerves" in the neck or back)
Compression of a spinal nerve in the neck or back by a disc or bone spurs, leading to arm/leg pain or weakness.
Spinal fractures or trauma
Most spinal fractures do not need surgery, but certain fractures are considered “unstable” and may require surgery.
Spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the passageways for the nerve or spinal cord. When the passageways are too narrow, this can cause compression of the nerves or spinal cord, leading to pain or arm/leg dysfunction.
Spondylolisthesis ("slipped vertebrae")
One of the most common indications for surgery in adults. Abnormal positioning of one spinal segment in front of another, which can lead to pinched nerves or back pain.
Procedures we perform
Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF)
We access the spine through the front of the neck to remove disc or bone spurs pressing on the nerves or spinal cord. We then replace the removed disc with a spacer or cage to allow the bones to fuse together.
Anterior lumbar fusion
By going through the abdomen, we access the spine from the front and replace a disc with a “spacer” or “cage” to allow the bones to fuse together. Often performed for pinched nerves that are causing leg pain or weakness.
Cervical disc replacement
We access the spine through the front of the neck to remove disc or bone spurs pressing on the nerves or spinal cord. We then replace the removed disc with an artificial cervical disc.
Correction of scoliosis or kyphosis
Straightening and fusing the spine through placement of screws and rods. This is performed for spinal deformities that make it impossible to stand straight or cause severe back or neck pain.
Revision spinal surgery
“Redo” spine surgery that may be necessary if spinal implants become loose or bones don’t fuse together after a spinal fusion is performed.
Growth guidance surgery for childhood scoliosis
Placement of implants that guide the growth of the spine, performed in children with severe scoliosis who still have a lot of growth remaining.
Lateral lumbar fusion
We access the spine through the side of the abdomen, and replace the disc with a “spacer” or “cage” to allow the bones to fuse together.
Lumbar disc replacement
By going through the abdomen, we access the spine from the front and replace a disc with an artificial disc. This is usually only performed if a person has severe disc pain but no spine arthritis.
Lumbar laminectomy
We remove bone spurs and excess soft tissue (called “ligamentum”) that presses on the nerves. Often performed for leg pain or weakness caused by lumbar stenosis.
Minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy or discectomy
A special retractor is used to access the spine through a small incision, reducing muscle trauma. We then remove bone spurs, excess soft tissue (called “ligamentum”), or disc fragments that are pressing on the nerves.
Minimally invasive lumbar fusions
A special retractor is used to access the spine through a small incision, reducing muscle trauma. We then place screws, rods, and “cages” or “spacers” in order to fuse bones in the lower back.
Minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy
A special retractor is used to access the spine through a small incision on the back of the neck, reducing muscle trauma. We then remove bone spurs or disc fragments pressing on a nerve in the neck.
Pedicle subtraction osteotomy
Performed in conjunction with a spinal fusion. We cut a wedge in the vertebrae and then manipulate the spine to restore its natural curvature.
Posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion
We access the spine from the back of the neck, and then remove bone spurs or excess soft tissue (called “ligamentum”) that is pressing on the spinal cord. We then use screws and rods to fuse the bones together.
Posterior cervical laminoplasty
The bones in the back of the neck are “hinged open” in order to create more room for the spinal cord. This is often done for the same reasons as an ACDF, but it preserves motion in the neck.
Posterior fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Straightening, balancing, and fusing the spine through the placement of screws and rods. This is usually performed when spinal curvatures in teenagers reach a certain degree.
Robotic and navigated spine surgery
Many of the procedures listed here use computer technology to guide the placement of implants or perform the surgery through smaller incisions
Vertebral column resection
Performed in conjunction with a spinal fusion. We remove an entire vertebrae and then manipulate the spine to correct scoliosis or kyphosis. This is only reserved for the most severe deformities.
Research trials we run
Effect of Human Growth Hormone on Recovery after Spinal Deformity Surgery
Performance-enhancing drugs are often used by athletes (sometimes unethically…) to overcome intense physical challenges. The goal of this investigation is to determine whether one of these drugs, human growth hormone, can help patients recover more quickly after major spine surgery. This trial is the first step–we are testing the safety of this drug in a select number of patients. +
An Exploratory Analysis of Spinopelvic Muscle Health Using Quantitative MRI
Muscle health is as important to postsurgical recovery as the health of the bones. Our current methods to assess muscle health are quite crude. This trial involves undergoing a special MRI which will help us to learn more exact ways to measure muscle health.
The Impact of Sitting Spinal Alignment on Outcomes after Spinal Deformity Reconstruction
Current ways to assess spinal alignment are based exclusively on standing XRs. We are obtaining sitting XRs on all of our patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis or kyphosis, with the goal of discovering new sitting metrics of spinal alignment that will inform how we shape the spine in spinal fusions.
Impact of Prehabilitation on Muscle Health and Surgical Outcomes: A Comprehensive Analysis of Postoperative Outcomes
We believe that preoperative preparation and exercise is as important to recovery as the postoperative phase. This study is investigating the impact of preoperative physical therapy programs on how they improve muscle quality and postoperative recovery.
