What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?
Using minimally invasive surgery for spine or brain disorders can result in faster healing and recovery when compared to traditional open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery means less trauma to the muscles and soft tissue in the treatment area.
Other benefits include:
- Reduced scarring
- Less blood loss during surgery
- Diminished risk of muscle damage
- Improved recovery from surgery
- Less post-surgical rehabilitation required
- Reduced risk of infection and postoperative pain
Minimally invasive surgical techniques also typically mean less time in the hospital after your procedure. Some people may not even need to spend one night and can go home the same day to recover.
Your need for post-op pain medication may also be reduced, which means fewer side effects and dependence.
What conditions can be treated with minimally invasive surgery?
Surgery for any spine or brain condition is usually only recommended when more conservative therapies fail to help you find healing or relief from pain and dysfunction. Dr. Smith first attempts to treat you with pain medications, physical therapy, and other non-surgical interventions before recommending surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery can be a solution for persistent pain or dysfunction related to:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar or cervical spinal stenosis
- Spinal infections
- Spinal instability, including spondylolisthesis
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Spinal tumors
- Brain tumors
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Chiari malformation
- Spinal deformities, like scoliosis
Before recommending minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Smith thoroughly evaluates your case and educates you on all of your treatment options.
What happens during minimally invasive surgery?
With minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Smith makes small incisions and uses specialized instruments guided by a microscopic video camera.
The exact procedure you undergo depends on your particular case. Some common procedures include:
Discectomy
During a discectomy, Dr. Smith removes or trims a herniated disc.
Spinal decompression
For this procedure, Dr. Smith removes any bone spurs or soft tissue that causes narrowing of the spinal canal and resulting nerve pain.
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion uses a bone graft from your pelvis or another area to create a single block of bone at the point of pain along your spine. This eliminates painful movements and increases spine stability.
To learn more about the advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures offered at Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey, call or schedule an appointment online today.
