Spine surgery has experienced remarkable advancements in the past few decades. Until recently, spinal surgeries have been performed as “open” surgeries. This just means that an incision of approximately 5 to 6 inches in length as well as muscle retraction is required for the surgeon to have a clear view and access to the spine in order to perform the surgery. This process can result in soft tissue damage and continued back pain for patients even after the surgery is performed. The soft tissue damage as well as the larger incision also typically mean a longer recovery time overall.
With minimally invasive techniques, surgeons are able to access and treat the spine through a very small incision using specialized micro-sized instruments, which may speed recovery, minimize post-operative pain and improve the final outcome. To see if you are a candidate for this approach, you must be fully evaluated by a surgeon knowledgeable and experienced in these minimally invasive techniques.
Keep reading to learn more about the incredible benefits of this treatment option.
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
The spine, spinal nerves, discs and vertebrae are all situated under layers of muscle and tissue. Accessing these parts of the body requires extensive maneuvering and sometimes more complicated cutting procedures. Minimally invasive spine surgery is a type of spine surgery that requires smaller incisions and does less damage to muscles and tissue.
Spine surgeries that require less cutting and moving have become more common thanks to advanced tools and robotics. This type of surgery is often called Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries (MISS).
MISS allows surgeons to stabilize the spine, discs, joints, and nerves. These are the same goals as traditional open back surgery. However, the goal of MISS is to do this while minimizing the damage to the tissues and muscles in and around the back.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Techniques
Minimally invasive spine surgery may involve percutaneous (through the skin) or mini-open (small incision) procedures. Instead of cutting through soft tissues, segmental tubular retraction creates an expandable tunnel that passes between muscles to access the spinal column. An endoscope, a tiny video camera, projects visualization of the surgical area on a monitor during the procedure to the spine surgeon. The surgery is performed through the tubular retraction system utilizing specially designed instruments.
Surgical imaging systems and image-guidance technologies, such as fluoroscopy (real time x-ray), are utilized during surgery to pinpoint key aspects of the patient’s spinal anatomy. Furthermore, surgical imaging projects 2D and 3D views and guides placement of instrumentation, such as pedicle screws.
How Do You Know When You Need Spine Surgery?
When someone is experiencing extreme symptoms, we at Ventura Orthopedic will suggest they first get an evaluation with their primary care physician. If the patient is experiencing low back pain or neck pain, we will usually watch them over time and encourage them to maintain good, stable physical activity to see if the issue resolves on its own. If the issue is not resolving with physical activity, over the counter treatments, or pain management and anti-inflammatory medication, the next step would be to see a doctor for an evaluation.
Many patients with spinal pain or injury can be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy, home exercises, medication and oftentimes spinal injections are recommended prior to considering surgery. The next step would be surgery if these treatment options do not do the trick.
Symptoms of Neck and Spine Problems
According to a national study, the number one pain Americans suffer is lower back pain (28%). Knee problems are in second place (18%) and neck pain is third (15%). A few common symptoms associated with neck and spine issues include:
- Changes in feeling or appearance
- Incontinence
- Limited or total loss of mobility
- Leg cramps
- Loss of balance
- Numbness and tingling
- Pain and tenderness
- Popping sounds during use
- Swelling
- Weakness
Common Neck and Spine Issues
At Ventura Orthopedics, our dedicated neck and spine team has the knowledge and experience to evaluate, diagnose and treat, mostly with minimally invasive procedures, a number of conditions, including, but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Bulging/Herniated Discs
- Disease & Disorders
- Degeneration
- Fractures
- Infections
- Injuries
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Stiff Neck
- Tumors
Who Qualifies for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Some back conditions will not qualify for MISS. A doctor or healthcare professional can review the options for treatments. MISS can be one of many treatments available to you.
Several common back conditions can be treated with MISS. These include:
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Spinal Deformities Such as Scoliosis or Sagittal Imbalance
- Fractures
- Bone Spurs
- Herniated Discs
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal Infections
- Spinal Instabilities Such as Spondylolisthesis
Surgery May Be Recommended If:
- All non-operative treatment options have been exhausted, including physical therapy, injections, acupuncture, massage, and all other non-surgical treatments your physician has recommended.
- Your symptoms match medical findings such as physical exam, x-rays, or MRI.
- You have a treatable deformity such as degenerative scoliosis.
- You are in relatively good health, meaning you are not overweight, do not smoke, or have any conditions that put you at greater risk of complications or poor recovery.
- The pros outweigh the cons.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Considerably Smaller Incisions: Minimally invasive spine surgery is known for using much smaller incisions since most of these procedures are completed with specialized micro-sized instruments and a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube, known as an endoscope.
- Less Scarring and Trauma: When you have surgery, your body undergoes a certain amount of trauma. In addition to the condition being treated, you have to recover from the muscle and tissue damage caused by the procedure. Minimally invasive surgery involves little to no muscle cutting, so your body can focus on healing the disc, nerves, and vertebrae and not the muscle.
- Decreased Risk of Muscle Damage: Minimally invasive spine surgery can support and stabilize the spine. Open surgery results in pulling muscles away from the affected area of the spine, which can result in damage to muscle and soft tissue. However, minimally invasive surgery does not involve the cutting of muscle or the pulling of muscles to the same extent. Therefore, there is a decreased risk of damage to the muscle and surrounding area.
- Substantially Less Blood Loss: Smaller incision leads to far less blood loss associated with these procedures when compared to open surgery. Many times, there is 200-300 mL difference in the amount of blood loss, which is quite significant for the patient.
- Lower Risk of Complications: Traditional spinal surgery involves a long incision that is necessary for the surgeon to reach the affected area of the spine. Any type of open surgery carries with it the possibility of complications, including excessive bleeding and the possibility of infection. Minimally invasive procedures only involve very small incisions, so there is less opportunity for such complications to arise. Additionally, because the incisions are smaller, there is reduced blood loss. Due to less potential for complications, minimally invasive spinal surgery may be able to be performed in an outpatient facility.
- Less Pain After Surgery: Spinal procedures are often performed to help relieve compression of the spinal nerves that causes pain in the patient’s back, arms, legs or other areas of the body. However, traditional, open surgery can cause a significant amount of discomfort because of the larger incision that is used in this type of surgery. Patients who receive minimally invasive spinal surgery often suffer less pain throughout each aspect of the process. They may also experience less post-operative pain, reducing the need for dangerous pain medications.
- Significantly Shortened Recovery Times: Small incisions and less invasive procedures can mean that most patients are able to stay in the hospital for less time after their surgery and get back on their feet sooner. Staying active while healing is very important to the healing process, and minimally invasive procedures can allow patients to get moving sooner.
How Can I Get Started?
The experienced and dedicated orthopedic surgeons at Ventura Orthopedics are here for you. If you need spinal or back surgery, it may be time to consult a medical professional. The experienced and dedicated orthopedic surgeons at Ventura Orthopedics are here for you. We are committed to helping you through any procedure until optimum health, strength and mobility are restored.
Call us today at 800-698-1280 to schedule an appointment.
