Millions of people suffer from back pain, so if you are one of them, you are not alone in searching for relief. There are lots of ways that back pain can be treated, ranging from very conservative therapies to serious surgery. You may have heard of a relatively new technique for treating severe back issues called minimally invasive spine surgery. Is this procedure something you should consider?
Innovative technique
Minimally invasive spine surgery is an approach to correcting spinal damage that minimizes negative impacts on the patient during surgery and recovery. Small incisions are made to allow the surgeon to access the spine using special equipment. The procedure is performed through a small tube, while the doctor uses tools like a microscope or endoscope to see structures inside the body. This technique allows movement of muscle tissue away from the spine without having to cut through it as in traditional surgical methods. This innovative technology promotes precision during the procedure, while minimizing tissue damage and reducing patient discomfort. Not all spine specialists are qualified to perform minimally invasive spine surgery. Look for a surgeon such as NYC spine surgeon Dr. Fischer at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City who is well-trained and experienced in this type of surgery.
Good candidates
The most important thing is to choose a physician you can trust to make good recommendations for your treatment plan. One like Dr. Fischer will make sure you have tried more conservative options before advising surgery. Sometimes, a patient doesn’t respond to other methods and surgery becomes the best option for relief. Some common conditions that patients have that may require surgery are degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, tumors, fractures, or sciatica. In addition to your diagnosis, other things your doctor will consider include lifestyle, goals, age, overall health, and more. Most of the time, minimally invasive spine surgery is elective, so it’s up to you and your physician to decide together if you’d like to pursue this treatment.
Benefits
Minimally invasive spine surgery has numerous advantages over traditional open spine surgery. These include smaller incisions, less blood loss, less tissue damage, reduced risk of infection, and less scarring. Due to the less invasive nature of the procedure, patients experience less pain and require less pain medication after surgery. Hospital stays are significantly shorter, with many patients undergoing outpatient surgery and getting to go home the same day. Recovery from minimally invasive spine surgery is faster and less painful, allowing many patients to achieve a full recovery in six weeks or less.
Risks
Any surgery has risks that come with it, such as a negative reaction to anesthesia. Other complications that are possible although not common are nerve damage, blood clots, excess bleeding, pain at the graft site, infection, or spinal fluid leakage. Since minimally invasive spine surgery is a very technical procedure, it’s vital to seek treatment from a professional like Dr. Fischer at NYU Langone Medical Center to ensure you’re receiving the best care possible. A competent medical team will minimize risks and help you get the outcome you desire from surgery.
If you’re looking for a spine surgeon in New York City, contact Dr. Fischer today.