Navigation, robotics, ultrasonic bone cutting, and continuous neuromonitoring — used to plan and execute spine procedures precisely, and to know during the operation that the nerves are still doing what they should.
O-Arm intraoperative CT
Suggested: O-Arm imaging system in the operating room, or a sample intraoperative CT scan.
Real-time 3D intraoperative imaging. A CT is taken with the patient already positioned and draped, and instruments are tracked against that scan live, so screw trajectories are verified against your actual anatomy on the table rather than estimated from landmarks and pre-operative films.
A robotic arm holds the planned trajectory rigidly while the screw is placed. Its value is reproducibility — it resists the drift that happens when an instrument is guided freehand along dense cortical bone, which matters most through minimally invasive corridors where the anatomy is not directly visible.
An ultrasonic blade that oscillates at high frequency across a microscopic distance. It cuts mineralised bone efficiently while being markedly less aggressive toward soft tissue than a high-speed burr — so it can be worked closer to the dura and nerve roots during laminectomy, osteotomy, and decompression.
A neurophysiologist monitors nerve and spinal cord function continuously throughout the operation, so a change is caught while it is still reversible. Three signals are used together — see below.
Sequential dilators separate the paraspinal muscle along its fibres and a tube holds that corridor open, so the muscle is spread rather than stripped off the bone. How minimally invasive surgery works →
The point of monitoring is early warning. Nerve tissue tolerates a certain amount of retraction and pressure for a certain amount of time; the value of watching it live is that the surgeon finds out before an injury becomes permanent, and can change what they are doing.
Electrodes in the muscles a nerve root supplies. Free-running EMG listens continuously and reacts if a root is being irritated or stretched. Triggered EMG stimulates a screw directly — a response at a low threshold suggests the screw may be sitting too close to the nerve, and it can be repositioned before closing.
The motor pathway is stimulated at the scalp and the resulting muscle response is recorded. This watches the motor tracts of the spinal cord specifically — the pathways that carry strength — and it is the signal that matters most during cervical work near the cord.
A peripheral nerve is stimulated at the wrist or ankle and the signal is recorded as it arrives at the brain. This tracks the sensory pathways running up the back of the cord, and complements the motor signal by covering a different part of the anatomy.
Neuromonitoring reduces the chance that a neurological injury goes unnoticed during surgery. It does not eliminate the risk of one, and it is not used in every case — whether it is warranted depends on the procedure, the level, and your anatomy.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring
Suggested: neuromonitoring console with EMG / MEP / SSEP traces, or electrode placement on a draped patient. A screenshot of live traces works well here and needs no anatomy licence.
Globus robotic system
Suggested: Globus robotic arm positioned during a spine procedure, or a robotic screw-placement planning screen.
Reduces reliance on anatomical landmarks alone.
Supports minimally invasive approaches across procedures.
Pre-operative planning carries through to intraoperative execution.
Misonix ultrasonic BoneScalpel
Suggested: the handpiece and blade in use during a laminectomy, or a manufacturer product image. Misonix may license a photo directly — worth asking the rep before buying stock art.
Endoscopic technique takes the minimally invasive corridor further again — a working channel a few millimetres across, with the surgeon operating from a camera rather than through a tube under direct vision. For the right disc herniation it can mean a smaller incision and a faster return to activity than tubular technique.
This is a planned addition to the practice rather than something currently offered. This section will become its own page when it does, following the same format as the other procedures.
Every one of these systems is an instrument in the surgeon's hands, and the judgment behind each decision remains his. Whether navigation or robotic assistance is used depends on the procedure, the anatomy, and the specifics of your case.
I chose to walk away from a different surgeon and instead have Dr. Zaidi operate on my spine based off of recommendations from friends in the medical field. Every good thing you hear about him is absolutely true.Brent M. · Google review
He told me exactly what he could do for me, and he did just that. Dr Zaidi has an excellent skill set and I would trust him for any future surgery I might need.Danny C. · Google review
A very polite and professional doctor. Explains things so they are easy to understand. Answers questions courteously. Alleviates concerns. He is a skilled surgeon.Renee B. · Google review
Verbatim from public Google reviews, shown with first name and last initial. Individual experiences, not a guarantee of outcome. More patient reviews →