Spine surgery should be your last option when non-surgical treatments fail to relieve your spine and neck pain. The good news is that modern technology has paved the way for minimally invasive spine surgery procedures.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is designed to cause the least amount of trauma possible to the patient. A skilled surgeon will make a small incision with a scalpel. Then using a surgical endoscope, the physician will view the damaged area of the spine. The tools involved in a minimally invasive spine surgery are designed to make as small an incision as possible. This means less pain, less blood loss, and a much faster healing time as compared to traditional spine surgery where there is a greater risk for infection, muscle damage, scarring, and pain.
Benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include:
- A smaller incision
- Less injury to muscles around the spine
- Less bleeding
- Less pain
- A shorter hospital stay (an average two to three days)
- Faster recovery
Minimally invasive spine surgery is best when the surgeon has pinpointed the exact damaged of the spine. It is usually performed on patients with herniated disc or lumbar stenosis. Once the small incision is created and the target area is identified, the surgeon will insert the tools necessary to complete the surgery into the patient while trying to avoid cutting or damaging the muscle. Minimizing trauma to the muscle is key to a quick recovery. This is why minimally invasive back surgery is so much less painful than traditional open back surgery techniques.
Spine Center of Texas feels that the techniques involved in performing minimally invasive spine surgery are much safer and accurate as compared to other types of spine surgeries when it comes to providing relief and function to our patients. As a full service back center, we always view surgery as a last resort. However, if you feel back pain or think you may need back surgery, contact us today for a free consultation at either our New Bruanfels or Seguin locations.