Understanding New Approaches to Brain and Spine Health

Apr 3
2 min read

Updated: May 21

Explore how advancements in therapy and rehabilitation support spinal cord and neurological care

A doctor in blue scrubs points a pen at a spine model with yellow and red details, focusing on vertebrae structure in a bright room.

Modern Approaches to Treating Degenerative Spinal Diseases

Spinal degenerative conditions have traditionally been treated with routine physical therapy and analgesics. Patients who fail conservative treatment have often been treated with surgery, including discectomy and fusion. Unfortunately, the overall results of these treatments have not always been optimal, although they were considered acceptable in the 20th century.

Today, there are modern and technologically advanced options for treating degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and segmental instability.

Multidisciplinary Spine and Pain Center

One significant advancement in our practice has been the development of a multidisciplinary spine and pain center. This one-stop center provides patients with access to a full range of specialties necessary for successful spine treatment, including:

Neurosurgery
Orthopedic surgery
Pain management
Neurology
Neuro-radiology
Neuroanesthesiology
Physiotherapy
Pharmacology
Psychology

Non-Surgical Treatments and Advanced Therapies

For patients with milder spinal problems, the proper selection of pain medications combined with more advanced physiotherapy, such as aquatherapy (aquaphysio), is recommended.

Patients who do not benefit from the initial spine therapy program will be reviewed by the team. If necessary, additional tests or MRI scans may be conducted. Selected patients may then benefit from pain procedures, including:

Nerve blocks (epidural, facet, nerve root, etc.)
Discoplasty / Nucleoplasty – Minimally invasive disc interventions performed under local anesthesia with image-guidance, including biplanar fluoro and 3D CT guidance

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery & Non-Fusion Technologies

For patients where surgery is the best option, there are now less invasive techniques available, including:

Microsurgery
Endoscopic microsurgery
Microsurgical spinal decompression

These procedures relieve spinal cord, nerve root, or cauda equina pressure and can be supplemented by non-fusion technologies to strengthen the spine. Fusion can often be avoided, as fusing a spinal segment has been shown to increase stress and degeneration at adjacent segments. Fusion disease is also difficult to treat.

Today, dynamic implants play a significant role in spine surgery, allowing patients to maintain more natural spinal movement.

Technological Advances in Spine Surgery

With the latest developments, spinal surgery is becoming more precise and safer. Key advancements include:

Intraoperative image guidance
Neuro-monitoring
Microsurgery advancements (including robotics)

These technologies contribute to better surgical outcomes and increased patient safety.

Expert Spine Care at Singapore Brain Spine Centre

Dr. Prem Pillay, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon at Singapore Brain Spine Centre, has extensive experience in treating spinal disorders using the latest medical advancements.

At Singapore Brain Spine Centre, we prioritise:

✅ Accurate diagnosis through advanced MRI and CT scans

✅ Minimally invasive procedures for faster recovery

✅ Personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient

Regain Mobility, Relieve Pain, Take the First Step Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with spinal pain, don’t wait for it to worsen. Modern spine treatments offer solutions beyond traditional surgery.

At Singapore Brain Spine Centre, we believe in evidence-based treatments that focus on minimally invasive procedures and cutting-edge medical imaging for better outcomes and faster recovery.