Dr. Addison Wood and Montrose Regional Health have successfully completed the first fully navigated Prone Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery on the Western Slope of Colorado. Dr. Wood is a Spine Surgeon practicing at the Montrose Regional Health Spine & Pain Center.

“Being able to fully navigate a Prone Lateral Lumbar Fusion allows the patient to have shorter operative times, less anesthesia, and greatly reduce exposure to radiation than traditional techniques,” said Dr. Addison Wood. “I am quite excited to bring this technology and technique to the communities of the Western Slope for high quality spine care.”

“Today marks a significant milestone in spinal surgery,” said Jeff Mengenhausen, CEO of Montrose Regional Health. “Our region’s first successful prone lateral spine surgery represents not only a triumph of medical innovation but also a testament to our commitment to pioneering advancements in patient care for the Western Slope. This achievement underscores our unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries on healthcare excellence and ensuring superior outcomes for our patients.”

Lateral Interbody Fusion is a minimally invasive operation which treats disc issues in the lower back. Spinal fusion is the process of surgically combining bones to release pinched nerves, limit painful motion, and correct scoliosis – a condition which causes the spine to curve abnormally. The surgery involves a small incision and a spacer graft that is inserted to restore the normal amount of space between the affected discs and aid fusion. Often, this graft is reinforced using a plate and screws.

Dr. Wood was able to complete this operation with the assistance of the Excelsius3D and ExcelsiusGPS Robotic Systems which use advanced imaging, navigation and robotic guidance to improve accuracy and optimize patient care in spine surgery. Montrose Regional Health is the only healthcare system on the Western Slope to use this technology, demonstrating the hospital’s continued dedication to providing the most advanced care available.

For more information, contact the Spine & Pain Center at (970) 252-2584 or visit www.MontroseSpineAndPain.com.