Kamal R. Woods Offering a Gateway to Safe Spinal Care

Back when the technology hadn’t witnessed the boom, surgeries were done with conventional open technique. Unfortunately, it involved long incisions, prolonged hospital stays, and increased risks of blood loss and infection.

In the 1980s, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) emerged as a safe and effective surgical technique for many procedures. Laparoscopy was the first of these techniques. In this method, surgery was performed through one or more small incisions that used tiny cameras, small tubes, and surgical instruments threaded to reach the affected areas for observation or recovery.

In 1967, the idea of robotics for surgical assistance was put forward. Its actual use began in the late 1980s with the Robodoc from Integrated Surgical System in Sacramento, California. It was an orthopedic image-guided system used in prosthetic hip replacement. Such robot-assisted surgery methods provide a magnificent 3D view of the area that requires treatment. They also offer surgeons greater precision and control over the surgery. 

Although multiple robotic systems are now ubiquitous for minimally invasive surgery, early prototypes were specialty-focused. For example, they were originally intended for long-distance trauma surgery on the battlefield. 

With the intention to explore minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr. Kamal R. Woods utilized his vast expertise in the field. Born on November 8, 1979, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Woods is best known for his spinal surgeries. His relentless efforts have made him become one of America’s most recognized physicians and neurological spine surgeons. At the beginning of his career, he worked in academic neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he taught medical students and residents. He also owns a private neurosurgery practice in Dayton, Ohio, called Vertrae®, Inc. The concept behind this company is to create an immersive and personalized experience for every patient.

Woods became renowned in the field of neurosurgery after he performed a surgery that no one had performed before. He pioneered Antero-Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALLIF). This surgery allows ALL levels of the lumbar spine to be treated. Because of his continuous innovations in the neurological department, he was made the Medical Director of Neuroscience at Kettering Health Network in 2016.

At Vertrae®, Dr. Woods ensures that his treatment procedures are more patient-centric and make tiring efforts to offer his patients the best treatment options. While Dr. Woods and his team at Vertrae® often use conservative methods to treat spinal disorders, some conditions warrant surgery. Therefore, the team specializes in using minimally invasive techniques, including the use of robot-assisted surgery.

At Vertrae®, Dr. Woods uses minimally invasive surgery to treat different spinal conditions, including spinal tumors, lumbar spinal stenosis, bulging or herniated discs, spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, and vertebral compression fractures. The procedure is well-known to relieve the pain these conditions cause and restore the physiological function of the spine.

The minimally invasive surgical procedures used by Dr. Woods include laminectomy, discectomy, spinal decompression, and lumbar fusion. In a laminectomy, Dr. Woods removes the back part of the vertebra that protects and covers the spinal canal. This, in turn, reduces painful pressure in the spinal nerve. In a discectomy, if a spinal disc herniates or bulges, it can cause immense pain. To encounter this issue, Dr. Woods removes or trims the herniated disc using the microscope and a tubular dilator to access the spine. Finally, while in lumbar fusion, a bone graft is used to fuse two adjacent vertebrae in one’s spine. Fusing them leads to increased stability as the spine can no longer move. All these unique techniques add five stars to his expertise. He currently accepts patients online and offers virtual appointments to enhance care, with 24/7 availability on demand. His personalized approach to care ensures the best possible outcome for each of his patients.