How Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery can enable you to be home later the same day for a faster and more comfortable recovery
Traditional “open” spine surgery may require several days in the hospital as it may involve a three-inch long incision, in which muscles and tissues are separated for optimal access to the injury site. The surgery usually results in trauma to surrounding tissues and some blood loss. Because of this the affected tissues and muscles need adequate healing time. Innovative developments in minimally invasive techniques have pioneered better ways for the surgeon to access the spine, moreover making the recovery process more seamless. In minimally invasive spine surgery, a smaller incision is made, sometimes only a half-inch in length. The surgeon inserts special surgical instruments through these tiny incisions to access the damaged disc in the spine.
Entry and repair to the damaged disc or vertebrae is achieved without harming nearby muscles and tissues when using minimally invasive techniques.
Minimally invasive spine surgery requires extensive training and experience to master use of the tools, but there is tremendous benefit for the patient.
All of the surgical equipment used in minimally invasive spine surgery must be able to pass through a keyhole-sized portal. These portals are left in during the entire surgery to allow specially designed surgical tools to move freely into the patient’s spinal column and not to damage the soft tissue from exiting and inserting equipment.
When the portal is removed at the end of the surgery, the surrounding soft tissues slowly fall back into their normal place and only require a small amount of stitches to close the area.
Some surgical procedures of minimally invasive spine surgery of the thoracic spine may require the anesthesiologist to specifically deflate the lung closest to the operating area and the patient will breathe with the other lung throughout the entire procedure. It is considered a very common practice in order to allow more space for the spine surgeon to operate within the thoracic spine.
Benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include:
- Smaller incision and smaller scar
- Less damage to tissues and muscles
- Less blood loss
- Less post-operative pain
- Less painful recovery
- Quicker return to activity
Related Topics
Scoliosis & Spinal Deformity Surgery can correct abnormal spinal curves to relieve pain symptoms and lengthen a person’s life Through the placement of hooks, rods and screws, a spinal curve can be corrected and stabilized. A fusion often follows scoliosis surgery, [Read more...]
How Artificial Disc Replacement retains the natural motion of discs in the back and reduce the risk of future disc herniations The artificial disc concept is intended to be an alternative for spinal fusion surgery. Each year in the U.S., more [Read more...]
If nonsurgical treatment options have failed, or if there are emergency symptoms, spine surgery may be necessary. The following is a list of common surgical problems and issues. Cervical Spine / Neck Discectomy is the removal of the herniated portion of [Read more...]
A key element for the success on nonsurgical treatment of back pain and neck pain is the spine specialized physical therapist. If you’ve had a spinal injection, you may also be referred to a spine therapist who will provide two important [Read more...]
Need an Appointment?
Dr. Christopher Rolf Johnson at Colorado Spine Partners in Denver is referred back pain and neck pain patients; herniated disc patients; and scoliosis patients from across Colorado and the nearby states of Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico. As a regional spine center of excellence, Colorado Spine Partners is the only spine center in Colorado listed on SpineCenterNetwork.com and CentersforArtificialDisc.com. As a fellowship-trained spine surgeon, Dr. Chris Johnson can provide a second opinion for back surgery; neck surgery; treatment for a herniated disc in the low back or neck; scoliosis surgery; and treatment options for flatback syndrome.
Dr. Johnson is proficient in the use of several FDA-approved artificial discs in the neck. If you’ve been told you need a spinal fusion or an ACDF surgery (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion), Dr. Johnson can provide a second opinion for neck surgery that provides this advanced artificial disc replacement option for motion preservation. Visit CentersforArtificialDisc.com for more detailed information on artificial disc replacement surgery. Dr. Johnson is also trained in minimally invasive spine surgery where he uses tubular retractors through a small one-inch incision which lessons disruption to muscles and ligaments, eliminates the need for outside blood, and enables most spine surgery patients to go home the same day for a quick recovery.
