If your physician has recommended an open back surgery to treat sciatica, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, or another degenerative spine condition, you may want to find out if you’re a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative. For many patients, these procedures offer safe and effective ways to relieve their pain and discomfort without the grueling rehabilitation that often follows open back surgery.

Some Information About Open Back Surgeries

In order to fully appreciate the advantages of undergoing a minimally invasive procedure in lieu of an open back surgery, you should have a general understanding of how open back surgeries are performed. In general, open back surgery requires a very large incision and the dissection of musculature and other soft tissues. A surgeon’s next steps will vary based on the spinal condition that is being treated.

For the sake of simplicity, this article will cover the approach used to treat a herniated or bulging intervertebral disc. The surgeon will typically remove the affected disc in its entirety and subsequently replace it with an intervertebral cage that is inserted with bone graft material. Surgical hardware is used to attach the cage to the adjacent vertebrae, and the bone graft will eventually fuse the entire segment together. Following the operation, patients are required to spend several nights in the hospital and most face a long and arduous rehabilitation. It’s not uncommon for patients to require several months of rehabilitation before they’re able to resume their daily activities.

How Minimally Invasive Procedures are Performed

Unlike an open back surgery, a minimally invasive procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. The surgeon makes a very small incision (typically less than one inch long) in the patient’s neck or back. Next, he or she inserts a series of tubes, each one slightly larger in diameter than the last. This process gently moves muscles and other soft tissues out of the way so the surgeon can access the patient’s spine without the need for complete dissection. With these tissues out of the way, the surgeon begins funneling small surgical tools and a tiny camera (endoscope) through the tube. He or she is then able to begin the process of decompressing the affected portion of the spinal cord, spinal nerve, or nerve root.

As is the case with open back surgery, the surgeon’s next steps will vary depending on the condition he or she is treating. So that we’re comparing apples to apples, we’ll continue exploring the treatment of herniated or bulging intervertebral discs. To treat disc-related conditions, the surgeon will use a laser to remove the portion of the disc that has invaded the spinal column and pressed against a neural structure. Once the surgeon has accomplished neural decompression, he or she removes the tube and surgical tools before suturing the incision. The patient is able to leave the hospital or surgical center the day of the procedure. Many patients experience immediate relief from their back pain and discomfort, and most are able to resume their daily activities within a matter of weeks.

Consult with Your Physician

If you’d like to learn more about the minimally invasive procedures that are used to treat degenerative spine conditions, make an appointment with your physician.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to minimally invasive surgery and alternatives to open back procedures.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications and is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including minimally invasive surgery and alternatives to open back procedures. http://www.lsiscottsdale.com/

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to minimally invasive surgery and alternatives to open back procedures.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
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