As a spine surgeon, I understand the fear and anxiety that comes with the thought of spine surgery. However, with the advancement of technology, spine surgery has become less invasive and more effective. Minimally invasive spine surgery is a technique that has been developed to treat various spinal conditions while causing minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues. To address the concerns many individuals have, I will explain how the surgery works, the issues it can treat, and the benefits minimally invasive spine surgery provides.
How Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Works
Minimally invasive spine surgery involves the use of specialized instruments and techniques that allow surgeons to access the affected area of the spine through small incisions. The surgeon inserts a small camera, called an endoscope, through the incision, which allows them to see inside the body without the need for large incisions. The surgeon then uses small instruments to remove the damaged or diseased tissue, while avoiding damage to the surrounding tissues.
Issues Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Can Treat
This technique is used to treat spinal conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.
Herniated Discs: A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like center of a spinal disc bulges out and puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. When this occurs in the lower part of the spine, the symptoms can include sharp pain, numbness, and weakness on one side of the body, often felt in the leg, hip, buttocks, back of the calf, or sole of the foot. A herniated disc in the neck can cause pain when moving the neck or deep pain near the shoulder blade, with numbness and pain radiating to the upper arm, forearm, fingers, shoulder, elbow, and forearm.
Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis occurs when the space within the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can result in back pain, burning sensation in the buttocks and legs, numbness and weakness in the arms or legs, or weakness in the foot causing it to slap down when walking.
Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs in the spine begin to wear down and lose their cushioning ability. The symptoms can range from mild to severe pain and stiffness and typically manifest in the neck and lower back. However, some individuals experience pain extending into the arms, hands, buttocks, and thighs, The condition can be aggravated by bending over or twisting the body.
These are just a few of the issues that can be addressed with minimally invasive spine surgery. Individuals with scoliosis, spinal tumors, bone spurs, or spinal instability may also benefit from this type of spine surgery. To determine the options available for your specific condition, consult with an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine surgery.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Because the procedure is less invasive than traditional spine surgery, there are many benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery that make it worth considering.
Less Pain: Because minimally invasive spine surgery involves smaller incisions and less damage to surrounding tissues, patients experience less pain after surgery.
Shorter Recovery Time: Minimally invasive spine surgery has a shorter recovery time than traditional spine surgery. With the proper post-op care and physical therapy, patients can often return to their normal activities within a few weeks.
Less Scarring: The smaller incisions used in minimally invasive spine surgery result in less scarring than traditional spine surgery.
Reduced Blood Loss: Because minimally invasive spine surgery involves smaller incisions, there is less blood loss during the procedure.
Get Your Life Back: By relieving the pressure on the spinal nerves, pain can be reduced or eliminated allowing you to get back to doing the things you love.
Why Choose the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care
If you are considering spine surgery, the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care is the best choice for several reasons. Our team is experienced in minimally invasive spine surgery and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs. The technology and techniques we use are the same as those used in large university hospitals to ensure the best possible outcome for our patients while providing compassionate care and support throughout the entire treatment process.
Schedule a consultation today to learn more about the minimally invasive procedure and if it is the right option for you.
