A 2020 TOP DOC Dr. Paul Lucas, Director of The Vascular Center at Mercy, leads a clinical team providing diagnosis and treatment for circulatory problems, including aneurysm, stroke, swelling of the leg and blockages.
Mercy doctors offer a breakthrough treatment for hepatitis C that cures most patients and saves lives. Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus and can lead to permanent liver damage if untreated.
The Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Center at Mercy is a leading neurosurgical center offering state-of-the-art technologies and clinical expertise to provide advanced treatment options.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
General visiting hours at Mercy are 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Hours vary by floor, please check with the nursing staff or call 410-332-9555.
This 3D medical animation shows the normal anatomy of the cervical spine and age-related wear and tear that narrows the vertebral canal. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure to relieve pressure on the spinal cord is also shown.
The spine surgeons of The Maryland Spine Center in Baltimore, Maryland, are experienced in minimally invasive surgical discectomy and mircodiscectomy to relieve pain caused by disc herniation.
A discectomy is a procedure used to remove the damaged portion of a herniated disc. This condition is caused when one of the small cushions located between each bone of the spine ruptures or tears due to natural aging and disc degeneration. After tearing, the gel-like interior of the spinal disc may press against the nerves of the spine causing pain and discomfort. A discectomy is used to remove these fragments of the disc in order to relieve pressure.
A mircodiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure and type of discectomy that utilizes a special microscope inserted through a very small incision to view and remove the damaged area of the herniated disc. As a minimally invasive procedure, patients typically experience less pain and a faster recovery as compared to traditional surgery.
An incision is made to expose the area of the spine in need of repair and the fragments caused by the herniated disc are removed. When possible, the surgeons of The Maryland Spine Center utilize minimally invasive procedures, including the use of a special microscope to remove the damaged area of the disc. In some cases, the surgeon may determine the entire disc may need to be removed, in which case a spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement may be required to repair the spinal column, relieve pain and restore function and mobility.
Patients with a herniated disc whose conditions do not respond to conservative treatment or worsen over time may be candidates for a discectomy or mircodiscectomy. A thorough examination and consultation with an experienced spine surgeon at The Maryland Spine Center will help determine if either of these treatment options is suitable for your condition.
Dr. Mara Vucich is a physiatrist, or doctor of physical and rehabilitative medicine, who treats patients with spine conditions including arthritis, spinal stenosis, degeneration of the spine, back and neck strains and disc herniations.
A woman with scoliosis seeks out Mercy's doctors for a successful, life-changing surgical treatment.