Perioperative Series: Common Spinal Procedures

Course overview

Spinal surgery is a branch of specialized procedures that focus on restoring and preserving the function of the spine. A neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon offer both non-operative and surgical interventions to treat injuries, defects, or deformities of the spine. Spinal surgery can be minimally invasive, such as a discectomy to remove a herniated disc, or much more complex, such as a spinal fusion to correct a deformity. This course will review the anatomy, physiology, and functions of the spine, along with common indications for surgery. The goal of this course is to provide nurses and STs with knowledge of common spinal surgeries and perioperative considerations for each.