Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Options With Rojeh Melikian, M.D.

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses advanced techniques for various conditions, resulting in minimal downtime and optimized outcomes for patients. Dr. Rojeh Melikian specializes in these treatment options for spinal disorders, including disc herniations, spinal stenosis, neck or back degeneration, tumors and fractures.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement

Cervical artificial disc replacement, sometimes abbreviated ADR, is a commonly performed surgery in which Dr. Melikian accesses the spinal cord and nerve roots from the front side of the neck. This procedure replaces the diseased disc with a prosthetic, preserving the spine’s motion and minimizing stress at the adjacent spinal levels.

Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement

Like the cervical disc replacement surgery option, lumbar artificial disc replacement (ADR) is an advanced procedure that involves removing a degenerated or herniated disc in the lower back and replacing it with a specialized prosthetic disc. Dr. Melikian performs a lumbar ADR to decompress nerves, restore disc height and alleviate related pain.

Lumbar Microdisectomy

A lumbar microdiscectomy treats herniated discs in the lower region of the spine. During this procedure, Dr. Melikian uses a small incision and minimally invasive techniques to access and remove the ruptured lumbar disc that is causing nerve pain.

Cervical Foraminotomy

If you are experiencing pinched nerve pain or numbness in your upper extremities, Dr. Melikian may recommend a cervical foraminotomy. This surgical procedure removes bone spurs or herniated discs compressing a nerve.

Cervical Laminoplasty

Cervical laminoplasty is a neck procedure that relieves spinal stenosis, or spinal cord narrowing. Dr. Melikian will open your spinal cord through the lamina bone to decompress the nerves and reduce pain.

Lumbar Microdecompression

A microdecompression is a procedure that uses a small incision on your back and minimally invasive techniques to access the lumbar spine and trim away any bone or ligament contributing to nerve compression. Dr. Melikian primarily uses this procedure to treat lumbar stenosis.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Dr. Melikian performs an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a small incision along the front of the neck. This procedure removes a diseased disc and places a bone graft or implant in the remaining space to allow for fusion and prevent collapse.

Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion

A cervical laminectomy and fusion is a surgery to treat cervical stenosis. During the surgery, Dr. Melikian will expose the lamina to remove the bones and allow the spinal cord to expand. He will then insert rods and screws to hold everything in place while the fusion heals.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a common back disc surgery solution, primarily targeting the L5-S1 segment of the spine. During ALIF, Dr. Melikian accesses the spine through the abdomen to remove the diseased disc and prepare the space for a fusion.

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)

Similar to ALIF, the extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF) allows for minimally invasive access to the disc space directly for disc removal and insertion of a fusion device. The procedure involves a small incision along the side of your abdomen, which allows Dr. Melikian to access your lumbar spine through your psoas muscle.

Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Melikian Today

Dr. Rojeh Melikian is an award-winning, fellowship-trained spine surgeon who serves patients in Marina del Rey, Newport Beach and Los Angeles, CA. Through a personalized consultation, he will work with you to determine if you are a suitable candidate for spine surgery and help you find a solution tailored to your unique needs.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss our minimally invasive spinal surgery treatment options.