Alex Sielatycki

Nurse Tori Steed, Physician Assistant Bryan Tipton, Bill Monahan, Diane Monahan, and nurses Rachel Severinsen and Lindsey Loyning pose after Diane's surgery, led by Dr. Alex Sielatycki (not pictured), to insert a TOPS System to help with her spine issues.

Photo courtesy Powell Valley Healthcare

The TOPS System is a device attached to the vertebrae that allows for more movement and shorter recovery time than a fusion surgery.

Photo courtesy Powell Valley Healthcare

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The people of Wyoming know hard work. Whether you’re lifting hay bales, packing out an elk, or chasing kids at the ranch, a healthy spine makes all the difference. Likewise, a bad back can truly change your life for the worse. When back pain from worn discs and compressed nerves becomes unbearable, many turn to surgery. For years, spinal fusion has been the go-to option — and if done well can often provide great relief. The problem is our spines were created to move, and so locking them in a rigid position with screws and rods will often create problems downstream. Thankfully, newer motion preservation techniques are changing the game and offering real advantages for patients with active lives. 

Traditional spinal fusion surgery joins two or more vertebrae together with bone graft and hardware. It stabilizes the spine and often relieves pain from conditions like degenerative disc disease or instability. The trade-off? That section of your spine becomes stiff and immobile permanently. While it works for many, this loss of motion shifts extra stress to the discs and joints above and below the fused area. Over time, this can lead to “adjacent segment degeneration” — basically, wearing out the neighboring parts of your spine and potentially leading to more surgery. 

Motion preservation surgery takes a different approach. Procedures like artificial disc replacement or dynamic stabilization devices allow the surgeon to relieve pressure on nerves while keeping natural movement in the treated area. Instead of locking segments solid, these techniques use implants that mimic your spine’s natural flexibility — allowing you to bend, twist and move more like you did before.

The benefits for everyday living are clear. Patients often experience faster recovery. Many go home the same day or after one night and return to light activities in just a few weeks, compared to the months of restricted movement and healing needed after fusion. Less time sidelined means getting back to chores, work or hobbies sooner. 

You also keep better overall mobility and posture. No one wants a stiff back that makes simple tasks feel limited. By preserving motion, these procedures reduce uneven stress on nearby spinal segments, potentially lowering the risk of future problems and additional operations. Of course, not every patient is a candidate for motion preservation. Severe instability or certain complex cases may still need fusion. That’s why it’s crucial to talk with a spine specialist who understands your lifestyle and structural problems. 

If you’re facing chronic back or neck pain that’s not responding to physical therapy, medications or injections, ask your doctor about motion-preserving options. Advances in these techniques are giving patients a chance to stay active longer without trading flexibility for relief. Your spine is designed to move. When surgery becomes necessary, preserving that God-given motion could mean more years of doing what you love — without extra trips to the operating room. Consult your spine physician to see what’s right for you.

(Dr. Alex Sielatycki is a board certified, and fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon with Steamboat Orthopedic & Spine Institute in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Locally, he works with Bryan Tipton, PA-C at PVHC and Dr. Jimmie Biles in Cody. He has completed several surgeries at Powell Valley Hospital.)