Depending on your specific spine condition, minimally invasive spine surgery may be the answer to finding pain relief. This type of spine surgery is ideal for patients who have exhausted all forms of conservative treatment with little to no results.
Minimally invasive spine surgery could return you to a pain-free life. See if you qualify by trying our candidacy checker tool below.
Minimally invasive spine surgery encompasses any surgical procedure of the spine that avoids traditional open back incisions in favor of smaller incisions.
Unlike traditional open back surgery, minimally invasive surgery uses very small incisions and gently moves muscles and other anatomy to access the area needed. This technique means less trauma, pain and scarring, which lead to faster healing and recovery.
Common spine conditions that respond well to minimally invasive spine surgery are:
If you are suffering from back pain and non-surgical treatment isn’t working, the team of spine surgeons and specialists at the International Spine & Sports Institute can help.Â
Minimally invasive spine surgery uses smaller incisions to access the spine, which can reduce pain, blood loss, and muscle tearing, and speed up recovery. The procedure involves:
Minimally invasive spine surgery could return you to a pain-free life. See if you qualify for a minimally invasive spine surgery by trying our candidacy checker tool below.
You can expect to have mild pain and soreness as you start to move around after surgery, but this pain should improve relatively quickly. Your doctor can prescribe you a pain killer or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can also try dietary changes that could reduce inflammation and improve healing.
You may also need physical therapy after surgery to help strengthen muscles around the spine and help you recover. Physical therapy could start a week after surgery and may continue for three months.
Your recovery time will vary depending on the reason for your spine surgery and your general health. Some patients might be fully recovered in as few as six weeks, but it may take longer if your job requires manual labor. Your doctor will work with you to determine when you can begin driving, working, and lifting heavy objects again.
Q: How long does minimally invasive spine surgery take?
A: This surgery can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the type of surgery and the severity of the patient’s condition. Some types can be performed as an outpatient procedure, which means the patient can go home within 23 hours or less. However, patients usually need to stay for a couple of hours after the procedure so their healthcare provider can monitor for problems. Patients may also need to stay in the hospital for one or more nights.
Q: What factors affect recovery after minimally invasive spine surgery?
A: Factors that can affect the total time to fully recover include the patient’s spinal issues, difficulty of the procedure, patient’s age, and the patient’s general health. In some situations, excessive weight and poor overall health can disqualify a patient from candidacy.
Q: What are the potential complications with minimally invasive spine surgery?
A: There are potential complications with this type of spine surgery, though they are less than with traditional, open procedures. Some potential risks include excess bleeding and infection.
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