Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery is a significant advancement in the medical field. In open surgery, doctors make an incision and cut muscles from the spinal cord, often severing nerve attachments and leading to blood loss. On the other hand, in minimally invasive spine surgery, your physician will use tiny incisions and real-time imaging, promoting precision without cutting any muscle. The complexities of surgical procedures demand a qualified team with diverse expertise like that found at LAMIS. From injuries to tumors to diseases like scoliosis, we can work to ensure you receive high-quality, personalized care. We can help you return to living your life.
An Overview of Kentucky Minimally Invasive Surgery Spine
Minimally invasive surgery was first introduced in the 1980s as a safe medical technique to satisfy the surgical needs of most individuals. Many physicians have preferred it to open surgery in the last twenty years. Traditional surgery often requires more significant cuts and a prolonged hospital stay.
Over the years, the popularity of minimally invasive surgery has spread in different surgical fields. Discuss with your doctor whether minimally invasive surgery would be an appropriate option for you.
Regarding spinal surgery, the medical term minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) means that your orthopedic or neurosurgeon can perform a medical procedure without making a big incision to access the surgical area, and the muscles and soft tissues in your back could remain uncut.
In many aspects, Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery is safer than conventional open surgery. Most patients not eligible for open surgery can qualify for minimally invasive procedures. Nevertheless, minimally invasive treatment requires some preparation in advance and might not work in emergencies or when your back/neck health condition is not apparent.
Some of the conditions treated using this technique include the following:
- Spinal stenosis.
- Spinal deformities.
- Tumors.
- Spinal instability.
- Herniated discs.
- Degenerative disc disease.
- Compression fractures.
Your seasoned Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery expert should evaluate you to determine the treatment tailored to your situation and pain. You qualify for this procedure if the following applies:
- You are experiencing pain that significantly hinders your performance of everyday tasks.
- Your overall health is good.
- You have a healthy weight.
- Conservative treatment options like medication, injection therapy, activity modification, and physical therapy have not relieved your symptoms.
What to Expect During Your Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Various types of MISS involve different steps. Nevertheless, there are significant differences between MISS and open spinal surgery.
- Anesthesia — Open surgery almost requires general anesthesia, while MISS procedures do not. You only require local anesthesia at your incision site to assist you relax. You might not require anesthesia if your surgeon uses an endoscope.
- Incisions — Small incisions are the hallmark of MISS. The incisions for surgical equipment and endoscopes are about ½ inch long or less. Patients experience less pain and a low risk of complications.
- Recovery and operating time — Minimally invasive surgeries take longer because more tools, helpers, and steps are involved. It is especially true for robotic surgery. Conversely, recovery duration is shorter; the incision wound recovery takes a week. You can also return home on the same day as your treatment.
Advantages of Undergoing Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Its potential advantages include the following:
- Less blood loss.
- Reduced trauma.
- Reduced risk of complications and infection.
- Reduced scarring.
- Reduced recovery time and hospital stay.
- Less pain and a lower need for medication.
Different Types of MISS
There are different minimally invasive spinal surgeries, including the following:
Discectomy Spinal Surgery
A discectomy is the surgical removal of material that is pressing the spinal cord or a nerve root due to a bulging or herniated disc. Surgeons use it to treat nerve root compression, sciatica, bone, or radiating pain through the limbs (radiculopathy).
During a discectomy, doctors use special retractors and an endoscope to perform a herniated disc removal. It permits your surgeon to create minor surgical incisions that could facilitate a speedy recovery. During this minimally invasive spinal surgery, the physician will administer general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately an hour, and you can leave for home a few hours later.
Foraminotomy Surgery
A foraminotomy is a minimally invasive surgery that enlarges the region around a compressed nerve in the spinal column. The spinal column consists of vertebrae (a chain of bones). The intervertebral discs sit in between vertebrae and serve as a cushion.
The spinal column contains the spinal cord and safeguards it from injuries. Your spinal cord transfers sensory information from the body to your brain. Moreover, the spinal cord transfers motor instructions from the brain to your body. Your nerves spread out from your spinal cord, from where they send these commands. They leave the spinal column via the intervertebral foramen or tiny holes between your vertebrae.
If these openings become too tiny, your compressed nerve can result in symptoms like a tingling sensation in the arms or legs, pain, and hand and arm weakness.
In a foraminotomy, the surgeon will create an incision in your neck or back. By exposing the injured vertebra, the surgeon could widen the intervertebral foramen to eliminate any blockages that may be present.
Laminectomy Spinal Surgery
A laminectomy is a surgical cut (incision) into the backbone to create access to the spinal cord columns. It is mainly performed in the lumbar and cervical areas, and rarely in the thoracic area. The surgical procedure is done to reduce pressure on the spinal nerves or spinal cord for the removal of a tumor or herniated disc.
Doctors perform a laminectomy to treat the narrowing of the spinal column or spinal stenosis. The surgical procedure removes damaged disks and bones and creates extra room for the spinal column and nerve.
You should consider a laminectomy if you have the following symptoms:
- Heaviness or weakness around your sitting area.
- Pain in your shoulder blade region.
- Numbness or pain in your leg(s).
- Difficulties controlling or emptying your bowel and bladder.
Spinal Fusion
Spinal Fusion is a surgical procedure for treating spine and small bone issues. It is similar to a welding process. Two or more vertebrae are fused into one solid bone. Surgeons perform this surgical procedure to restore the spine’s ability or eliminate painful motion.
Kyphoplasty Spinal Surgery
Kyphoplasty is another Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery that stabilizes collapsed or cracked spinal bone caused by osteoporosis. The patients have a reduced ability to perform daily activities or move due to pain.
The process involves inserting and inflating a tiny balloon inside the crack to open it and restore the height of your collapsed vertebra. Next, your surgeon will inject cement to fill your cavity. You can return home the same day.
Please note that you do not qualify for this procedure if you suffer from stenosis, arthritis, or a herniated disc.
Preparing for Your Surgical Procedure
Since every patient and type of Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery is unique, the steps you take to prepare for your surgery will depend on these factors. However, you should do some things in the days leading up to your surgery.
You should prepare your body by:
- Exercising regularly — Better fitness lowers the risk of complications and can accelerate your recovery, allowing you to return to your everyday life faster.
- Eating a well-balanced diet can promote the body’s natural recovery process.
- Avoid drinking alcohol — Alcohol can interfere with anesthesia, delay your incision recovery, and increase bleeding.
- Stop smoking — Smoking before your surgical procedure increases your risk of longer ventilator care, extended recovery duration, and increased scarring.
- Donating blood — Donating blood for your neck or back surgery is not essential. Nonetheless, there is a possibility that you might lose some blood during your treatment. Your doctor should discuss the pros and cons of donating blood. If you decide to donate your blood, the physician can prescribe iron supplements to increase your blood supply before treatment.
- Medication — Some drugs can affect your treatment by interfering with anesthesia and causing bleeding. These drugs include naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Your doctor should advise you on the medication and supplements to stop taking as you prepare for your treatment.
Preparing your home for your return promotes your quick recovery. Here is what to do:
- Store your low-lying items at a standing height to avoid bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, and twisting after the surgery.
- Ensure equipment like shower chairs and walkers is set up and accessible.
- Find a person to assist you with household chores like cleaning, yard work, shopping, driving, grooming, and running errands. You should avoid these activities for weeks after your treatment.
- Prepare healthy foods.
Your qualified Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery professional should give you essential guidelines to follow on your surgical day. The pre-operative medical assistant should review these instructions with you. They include:
- Avoiding eating or drinking anything after midnight the night prior.
- Putting on loose, comfortable clothes.
- Avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Making arrangements to have a loved one drive you home after the procedure.
- After treatment, you will require an individual to be with you at home for more than 24 hours.
What to Expect After Your Surgery
After your treatment, you could experience pain. Your surgeon will take measures to lower it and assist you recover faster. The objective is to make it more manageable. They can prescribe opioids, local anesthetics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They can also recommend icing the surgical site. However, you should not apply ice directly to the skin or the wound.
You should keep your spine in the proper alignment. The healthcare provider will teach you how to walk, sit, stand, reposition, and move properly. For instance, you should leave your bed using a log-roll technique. The technique allows your body to move as a unit and prevents twisting your spine.
Although the chances of complications are low, the doctor will discuss ways to recognize them with you. They include the following:
- Heart attack.
- Blood clots can manifest as pain in your calf, swelling, or redness/tenderness around the knee.
- Constant disk herniation.
- Headaches.
- Nerve damage resulting in weakness, numbness, and pain.
- Heart attack.
- Challenges with urine retention.
- Challenges with intestinal function.
- Infection with warning signs like shaking chills, elevated temperature, drainage from your wound, wound tenderness, swelling, and redness.
Does Insurance Cover MISS?
Most health insurance plans cover minimally invasive spinal surgery. It is not a cosmetic treatment (doctors only perform it to treat a medical condition), and insurance providers should cover it, provided:
- Your doctor has determined it is medically essential.
- You have met the conservative spinal care requirements the insurer has set.
The total cost of your Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery depends on factors like your health condition, treatment duration, doctor’s fees, and the location of the medical facility. Nevertheless, it is more affordable than open surgery because it is conducted outside a hospital and eliminates the costs of hospital stays.
The amount you foot out-of-pocket depends on your health insurance coverage. If a patient has a low deductible and copay, they will pay less. They will also pay less out-of-pocket if they pay a high insurance premium.
Remember to confirm with your surgeon whether they accept your insurance plan.
Medicare and MISS Coverage?
Medicare covers spinal surgical procedures, provided they are medically essential. Nevertheless, the out-of-pocket amount depends mainly on how you obtain Medicare benefits and the location of your surgeon’s office. Medicare can cover only procedure and doctor fees. That means you will incur the facility fee.
Medicare Part B and Part A do not have an out-of-pocket limit. On the other hand, Part C does, and the government will reimburse you for expenses for covered medical services that exceed your out-of-pocket limit.
Contact a Qualified Neck and Back Surgeon Near Me
Your surgeon can recommend spine surgery if conservative treatment options like medication, injection therapy, activity modification, and physical therapy fail to improve your neck or back pain symptoms. LAMIS uses Kentucky minimally invasive spine surgery, a conservative approach to treat back and neck pain. The technique addresses underlying health conditions while reducing recovery duration and post-op discomfort. We can perform the surgical procedure on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home on the same day as your treatment.
Meaningful relief from pain is now closer than you think. Our team can answer all your questions and determine whether you are an ideal candidate. Please contact us at 310-734-6088 to schedule your appointment.
