Your surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This keeps you comfortable, relaxed, and asleep throughout the procedure, with our team monitoring you closely. After surgery, you will have the option of taking oral pain medications prescribed by Dr. Swiatek to alleviate any soreness that arises as your body heals.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Your treatment journey unfolds as follows: You will attend a comprehensive medical evaluation with diagnostic testing. You will be scheduled for a preoperative visit to answer any remaining questions. You will undergo surgery. You will return for a series of follow-up sessions, allowing Dr. Swiatek to ensure a seamless journey from start to finish.

How Long Until I See Results?

You will usually begin noticing a reduction in nerve symptoms and pain shortly after surgery, and it can take up to months depending on the initial problem requiring surgical intervention. However, complete bone healing and final results can take 6 to 12 months.

How Soon Can I Travel After PTDF?

Patients can expect to travel within 6-12 weeks after surgery, depending on Dr. Swiatek’s clearance and individual healing rates.

What Are the Risks Associated With Posterior Thoracic Decompression and Fusion?

Like all surgical procedures, posterior thoracic decompression and fusion involves potential risks and complications. Some of these include the following: Infection Bleeding Ongoing pain Pseudarthrosis, a condition more likely in patients who smoke Nerve injury Blood clots in the legs

Thoracic Procedures in Carmel, IN PTDF (Posterior Thoracic Decompression and Fusion)

Introduction to PTDF (Posterior Thoracic Decompression and Fusion)

Stabilize and Support the Thoracic Spine

Posterior thoracic decompression and fusion is a type of back surgery that alleviates pressure on the spinal cord and joins the vertebrae together to increase long-term stability. The procedure can address conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, fractures or injuries, and spinal deformities like scoliosis or kyphosis.

At the Indiana Spine Group in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo, IN, fellowship-trained spine surgeon Dr. Peter Swiatek relies on today’s most sophisticated techniques to help patients reclaim their comfort and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Dr Peter Swiatek wearing protective glasses performing minimally invasive procedure with surgical instruments in operating room - PTDF in Carmel, IN

What Is PTDF (Posterior Thoracic Decompression and Fusion)?

Posterior thoracic fusion is a spinal procedure performed through a back incision, allowing Dr. Swiatek to join together two or more vertebrae in the thoracic spine. Bone grafts or bone graft substitutes are placed between the affected vertebrae to increase bone growth and gradually fuse the vertebrae into a solid bone. Spinal implants such as rods, plates, and screws can be introduced afterward to maximize spinal stability.

Posterior thoracic decompression and fusion surgery is typically recommended after conservative treatments have been exhausted. The surgery is indicated for those with the following conditions:

Injury or fracture of the vertebrae
Spinal instability caused by infections or tumors
Spondylolisthesis (slipping of one vertebra over another)
Abnormal spinal curvature
Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the space within the spinal column)

Who Are the Best Candidates for PTDF?

To best determine your candidacy for the procedure, Dr. Swiatek will meet with you for a detailed consultation at his office in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo, Indiana. In general, posterior thoracic decompression and fusion is suggested for those with the following:

A diagnosis of spondylolisthesis, severe spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or structural spinal instability.
Failure to obtain relief from more conservative treatment methods.
Chronic localized pain or nerve compression
Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs

What Are the Benefits of PTDF?

Choosing to undergo posterior thoracic decompression and fusion with Dr. Swiatek at the Indiana Spine Group in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo, IN, sets you up to receive a wealth of benefits, including the following:

Offers significant pain relief caused by compressed nerves
Removes bone spurs, damaged discs, and tissue putting pressure on the spinal cord
Combats numbness and tingling
Increases stability in the spine
Restores comfort, mobility, and peace of mind
Improves posture
Decreases reliance on pain medications

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How to Begin Your PTDF Journey

You will undergo an in-depth preoperative assessment session with Dr. Swiatek before your surgery. During this assessment, the doctor will:

Gather information about any health conditions, current medications, and supplements. He may ask you to pause certain medications to help reduce surgical risks.
Complete diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
Explain the risks, benefits, recovery requirements, costs, and potential outcomes associated with posterior thoracic decompression and fusion.
Answer all of your questions with care, precision, and detail.
Create your personalized treatment plan.
Provide instructions to follow before and after surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of PTDF

Posterior thoracic fusion is performed through a back incision under general anesthesia with the patient lying face down. Dr. Swiatek will make an incision over the impacted vertebra and retract the back muscles to access the spine. He will then decompress the nerves and mobilize or remove the facet joints as needed.

Finally, Dr. Swiatek will use bone grafting along the back of the spine to fuse the two vertebrae into a single bone. Screws and rods are introduced to increase spine stability. After the procedure is complete, the muscles are reattached to the bone, and the incision is closed.

Dr Peter Swiatek wearing surgical loupes with LED headlight for precision medical procedures - in Carmel, IN

PTDF Recovery

Your Guide to Post-PTDF Care

After surgery, you will be transferred to our recovery room and monitored carefully. You are encouraged to take light walks one day after your procedure, which can help improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Dr. Swiatek will prescribe oral pain medications to help offset any soreness or discomfort as you heal. You may be fitted with a brace or cast to increase spine stabilization. You can resume normal activities within 2-3 weeks. Dr. Swiatek will schedule follow-up visits starting about 10 days after surgery. Follow your aftercare instructions and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, you should:

Avoid smoking, which can slow down bone healing.
Adhere to a healthy, nutritious diet.
Steer clear of strenuous workouts until cleared by Dr. Swiatek.
Get plenty of rest to promote healing.

Training Background

Dr. Swiatek graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in neurobiology. Next, he graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI, where he was included on the Dean’s commendation list for excellence in clinical skills.

Dr. Swiatek completed demanding orthopedic surgery training at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, ranked as one of the most elite and renowned orthopedic and neurosurgical spine centers in the nation. After his residency, Dr. Swiatek pursued a competitive spine surgery fellowship at the prestigious Rothman Institute and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

How Much Does Posterior Thoracic Decompression and Fusion Cost in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo?

Posterior thoracic decompression and fusion costs in Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield, and Kokomo can vary based on a variety of factors. Our billing department is available to answer your questions.

Philosophy

Why Choose Dr. Swiatek?

Dr. Peter Swiatek is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon with exceptional skill and expertise in treating spine diseases and disorders. He treats a range of conditions, including disc herniations, degenerative cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disease, trauma, tumors, and spinal deformity. Additionally, Dr. Swiatek is known for providing cutting-edge solutions for patients who have previously experienced failed spine surgeries and revision spine procedures.

Dr. Swiatek designs each surgical plan around patient goals, always striving to use conservative treatment options when possible. If surgery is the best next step, he performs evidence-backed interventions that bolster well-being, mobility, and a full return to an active lifestyle.

Dedicated to patient safety, Dr. Swiatek uses the latest innovative technologies and treatment modalities in spine surgery, such as robotics to increase surgical precision and motion-preservation (non-fusion) treatments. Dr. Swiatek is apart of the organizations AAOS, NASS, and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS).

PTDF (Posterior Thoracic Decompression and Fusion) FAQ’S

Your treatment journey unfolds as follows:
- You will attend a comprehensive medical evaluation with diagnostic testing.
- You will be scheduled for a preoperative visit to answer any remaining questions.
- You will undergo surgery.
- You will return for a series of follow-up sessions, allowing Dr. Swiatek to ensure a seamless journey from start to finish.
Like all surgical procedures, posterior thoracic decompression and fusion involves potential risks and complications. Some of these include the following:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Ongoing pain
- Pseudarthrosis, a condition more likely in patients who smoke
- Nerve injury
- Blood clots in the legs

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Case Studies

He also specializes in repairing failed spine surgeries and revision spine procedures. Dr. Swiatek tailors his treatment plans to the needs of each of his patients, with a focus on non-operative management whenever possible. When surgery is necessary.

View Case Studies

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