10:00 PM CDT on Friday, June 16, 2006

By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA-TV

DALLAS -- For the some 65 million Americans with chronic back pain, back surgery is a daunting thought - considering the lengthy hospital stay and recuperation. But a new procedure could get some back surgery patients back on their feet in hours - pain-free.

Virginia Burdell hasn't missed many of her daily walks, despite a recent major back surgery. "I usually just walk where I can look at the trees and the flowers," said Burdell.

She's among the first in North Texas to have a new, less invasive back fusion.

"The approach is instead of a large incision over the back, or instead of an incision over the front, the patient is lying down on their tummy and the approach is right underneath the tailbone," said Dr. Dan Bradley, an orthopedic spine surgeon.

Using a one inch incision - doctors at the Texas Back Institute insert a specialized guide wire to the damaged area of the spine. The lumbar vertebrate can then be fused - without damaging surrounding nerves, muscles or other tissue.

"There's very little blood loss, much less risk to the body and patients are going home in a day or two. Back to work in about 2 weeks," said Dr. Bradley.

Virginia Burdell was back on her feet within hours of surgery. Out of the hospital in a day - and walking a mile - each afternoon, just 2 weeks after spinal fusion.

"It just amazes me there's no back pain anymore," said Burdell.

She may be a bit slower, for now. But instead of the jarring pain she used to feel - each step is now a painless joy.