Spinal surgery may be necessary to help you find relief from pain, restore full function, and alleviate symptoms from an underlying issue. Advances in modern medicine have enabled doctors to perform spinal surgeries using minimally invasive techniques—which offer many advantages over traditional methods.
Read this blog to learn about minimally invasive spinal surgery and what to expect.
What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a surgery performed on your spine (backbone). What makes this type of surgery minimally invasive is that it is performed using smaller incisions compared to open (traditional) surgery. Minimally invasive spine surgery incisions are typically around three-fourths of an inch. Traditional surgeries require a four- to six-inch incision.
There are a few common kinds of minimally invasive spine surgeries:
- Laminectomy
- Spinal fusion
- Microdecompression
- Kyphoplasty
- Discectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Tumor removal
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Lower Risk of Complications
Every surgery has its risks — even if it’s minimally invasive. However, minimally invasive spine surgery is performed using a smaller incision and isn’t an open surgery. This means less damage to the surrounding tissue, less blood loss during surgery and a lower risk of infection from outside bacteria. In addition, since minimally invasive spine surgeries are faster, you spend less time under anesthesia. The longer someone is under anesthesia, the more risk of complications. Some minimally invasive procedures don’t even require you to be put under anesthesia and can be performed with a local anesthetic.
While minimally invasive spine surgery has lower risks of complications compared to open surgery, there are still some risks. These include excessive bleeding, infection, leaking spinal fluid, blood clots, nerve damage, surgical site pain and your symptoms persisting post-surgery.
Quick Outpatient Procedure
Minimally invasive spine surgery typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour and can be performed outpatient. You can leave the facility the same day as the procedure — these don’t require an overnight hospital stay.
Faster, Easier Recovery
Because minimally invasive spinal surgery uses small incisions, there is less effect and damage to the surrounding tissue. This makes recovery quicker, less painful and easier. Because of this, many people who have this type of procedure also require less rehabilitation support.
The typical recovery time after a minimally invasive spine surgery is around six weeks.
Better Cosmetic Results
Minimally invasive surgeries provide better cosmetic results compared to open surgeries. This is because these procedures use smaller incisions which reduce tissue trauma, preserve the surrounding structures and result in smaller scars.
High Success Rate
Minimally invasive spine surgery has a 90% success rate, which is slightly lower than open spine surgery’s 95% success rate. The high success rate and benefits discussed above make minimally invasive spine surgery appealing.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Various factors make someone a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. Minimally invasive spine surgery can be used to treat a range of issues. If you’ve been diagnosed with stenosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, spinal tumors, degenerative disc disease, spinal infections, or scoliosis, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive spinal surgery. In addition, if you’ve been experiencing back pain for more than three months and it hasn’t gone away with non-surgical or at-home treatments, you may also be a candidate for this type of surgery. Consult with a spinal specialist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
What To Expect After Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
After your surgery, your doctor will provide care instructions, tips and restrictions. These instructions may include tips on wound care and a list of restrictions, such as avoiding strenuous activity, cutting out smoking and alcohol consumption, staying hydrated and eating a nutritious diet. Your doctor may prescribe you pain medication or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers. They may also prescribe physical therapy depending on your condition and the extent of your surgery.
Follow these instructions closely and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a quick, complication-free recovery.
Find Back Pain Relief With Minimally Invasive Surgery Done by Citrus Spine
If you live in or near Crystal River, Florida, consider Citrus Spine Institute for your spinal health needs. Our team specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgeries and will work with you from diagnosis to treatment to help you find relief.
Schedule a consultation today to get started.
