When your physician recommended a spinal disc fusion surgery, like most patients, you probably went home and consulted your friend the Internet. Your research may have revealed that this type of operation is highly invasive and often requires a very large incision. You may have discovered that the operation will require a lengthy and arduous rehabilitation, largely due to the fact that it requires the dissection of the muscles and ligaments in the neck or back. And, like many patients, this information may have left you frightened and unsure of whether undergoing the operation would even be worth the long, painful recovery. Fortunately, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative to a traditional spinal disc fusion operation.

Minimally Invasive Stabilization

Much like traditional spinal disc fusion operations, minimally invasive stabilization procedures aim to decompress a spinal nerve, nerve root, or – in some cases – the spinal cord itself. In both types of procedures, this is accomplished by removing a damaged intervertebral disc that is pressing against a neural structure. Both procedures also require restoring and filling the disc space that has been left void by the removed disc. The procedures also both require the fusion of the adjacent vertebra to stabilize the spine. How, then, are spinal disc fusions different from minimally invasive stabilization procedures?

The primary difference is found in the surgical approach. While a traditional spinal fusion surgery requires a large incision that dissects musculature, a minimally invasive stabilization procedure is performed through a very small incision that is typically less than one inch long. Rather than dissect the surrounding musculature, a surgeon gains access to the spine by gently pushing the muscles to the side, which is accomplished by inserting a series of tubes, each one slightly larger than the last. Finally, once the surgeon has access to the spine, he or she can remove the affected disc to decompress the pinched neural structures. An implant is then inserted to restore disc space, bone graft material is added, and tiny hardware is used to fuse the adjacent vertebrae.

Other Differences

While patients who undergo traditional spinal disc fusion operations typically spend several nights in the hospital, minimally invasive stabilization procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and allow patients to go home shortly after surgery. And, while traditional fusions can require several months of rehabilitation, most patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures are able to resume their daily activities within a matter of weeks.

Consult Your Physician

If you’re interested in learning more about minimally invasive stabilization as an alternative to traditional spinal disc fusion, consult with your physician. If he or she isn’t familiar with this state-of-the-art procedure, your physician should be able to recommend a spine specialist who is.

Keep in mind that all operations – even those that are performed endoscopically – come with certain risks, including infection and blood loss. Make sure you discuss these risks and other potential complications with your physician. Before consenting to any operation, you may want to receive a second or even third opinion to ensure that surgery truly is your best treatment option.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient alternatives to spinal disc fusion.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient alternatives to spinal disc fusion. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/back_surgery/types/lumbar_fusion/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient alternatives to spinal disc fusion.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Spinal Disc Fusion