The old days of fearing back surgery as a scary, incapacitating, traumatic experience are gone thanks to an innovative technique called minimally invasive spine surgery. Advancements have been made in recent years for treating numerous spine procedures using this method. Physicians like Spine Surgeon Dr. Fischer are able to give patients a much easier and faster surgery than in years past.
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) is routinely used by surgeons when possible instead of open back surgery. Specialized instruments, video, and equipment are used to provide detailed visibility into the anatomy even though incisions are small. Complex, intricate procedures are performed thanks to groundbreaking technology employed in the operating room.
The overriding benefit of MIS is that there is less trauma for the patient. Specific advantages of this type of surgery include:
- Smaller incisions that measure only about an inch
- Less blood loss
- Less damage to the tissue
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery
- Less scarring
- Decreased risk of complications
- Quicker return to normal activities
These great benefits for patients undergoing MIS are not tied to just the simplest procedures. Dr. Fischer performs this method on many types of surgeries, including:
- Herniated disc: when a disc bulges out into the spinal canal and compresses a nerve, the damaged disc is removed to eliminate the pressure.
- Spinal stenosis: this means that the spinal canal has narrowed, so the surgeon enlarges the spinal canal and eliminates any obstructions like bone spurs that have created the problem. The goal is to increase the space and relieve pressure on nerves.
- Fracture repair: often resulting from osteoporosis, repairs are made on compression fractures in the back. Two common procedures are kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. The goal is to strengthen and rebuild the broken vertebrae using bone cement.
- Spinal fusion: the surgeon removes damaged spinal discs between vertebrae and then fuses the vertebrae together using grafted bones, metal plates, and surgical screws.
- Artificial disc replacement: an alternative to spinal fusion, artificial disc replacement involves removing the damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial one.
MIS has revolutionized the field of spine surgery, bringing with it many benefits and making patients more comfortable about undergoing procedures. Dr. Fischer is happy to discuss this type of surgery with you. Schedule a consultation to learn more.