Spine damage and back pain can be debilitating enough to prevent you from engaging in your daily activities. Minimally invasive spine surgery has the potential to treat a wide range of conditions that could be causing this pain. That said, not every patient is a viable candidate for this treatment. Read on to find out if minimally invasive spine surgery in Matawan is ideal for you.
Minimally invasive spine surgery employs specialized video cameras and medical tools to access the spine through small incisions of less than 2 centimeters. The incisions are usually made in the chest, back, or abdomen.
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How Is the Surgery Performed?
As already mentioned, minimally invasive spine surgery involves using a small medical tool to access the body through a small incision. Your surgeon will also need to use tubes and dilators to keep the incision and the surrounding muscles open and reduce the surgical site area.
The team at NJ Spine and Wellness uses fluoroscopy, a form of mobile X-ray technology, to guide the surgeon during the surgery. This process allows them to view your spine without cutting into it and perform complex procedures.
There are other forms of minimally invasive spine surgery, including endoscopy, which involves flexible pipes fitted with a camera and light. The choice of treatment will usually depend on your doctor and your condition.
Conditions Treated by Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Most doctors recommend minimally invasive spine surgery in situations where the procedure is likely to promote a speedy recovery, improve your outlook, and reduce your post-surgery pain. The treatment has been successfully used in certain cases of scoliosis, fractures, herniated discs, kyphosis, scoliosis, degenerative discs, and infection.
Because of the wide range of spine diseases, minimally invasive spine surgery can have varying applications. It can be used to achieve the following:
- Correct deformities
- Decompress spinal tumors
- Repair herniated discs
- Spinal fusion
- Stabilize and repair compression fractures
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery is popular because it carries several benefits over open spine surgery. Unlike open surgery, it does not require muscle stripping, large anesthesia doses, large incisions, prolonged hospital stays, and lengthy recovery periods. Other benefits of this surgery include:
- Shorter recovery time
- Minimized blood loss during surgery
- Reduced post-surgery pain
- Reduced risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stay
- A few tiny scars rather than one large one
Possible Risks
As with any surgical procedure, minimally invasive spine surgery holds some risks, which could be general or specific to the treatment. It is vital that you discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure to clear any doubts you may have. Some of the general things you might discuss include the risk of infection, reaction to anesthesia, post-surgery pneumonia, and blood loss.
Although rare, more specific risks of minimally invasive spine surgery may include the risk of nerve injury or spinal cord damage, which could cause pain or paralysis.
Consult an Orthopedic Surgeon Today
Minimally invasive spine surgery is not only less damaging than other surgeries; it also promotes faster recovery times. If you require surgery for your neck and back pain, contact NJ Spine and Wellness to schedule a consultation with the experienced orthopedic surgeons at the center.