An open-spine surgery can be very intimidating because of its associated pain and risk of bleeding and complications. Many people prefer to live with excruciating back pain and manage it with medicine rather than undergo a risky operation. However, spine surgeons recommend an alternative that is less invasive, less risky, and more effective in treating spine-related conditions. Minimally invasive spine surgery involves the creation of a minor incision on the back, through which the spine surgeon accesses the treatment location to correct the cause of your back pain.
The procedure happens quicker, involves less bleeding, takes a shorter recovery period, and is effective. Thus, you can enjoy a healthy life after the operation and be able to return to your work and other daily engagements a few days after the operation. For more information about minimally invasive spine surgery in Georgia, speak to us at LAMIS.
What Our Georgia Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Services Entail
The human back comprises various structures, bones, tissues, and nerves. These are very sensitive as they are close to the spine, the body’s primary support system. A problem with any of these structures can cause severe back pain, making it difficult to work, enjoy life, or walk. The good news is that these spine conditions are treatable. Spine surgeons have been treating spine conditions for years with so much success. However, they mostly conduct open-spine surgeries, which are risky, take a long time, and require an even longer recovery time.
With all the risks that come with open spine surgeries, doctors have been seeking alternatives that are equally effective or more effective, with less risk and a shorter recovery time. Minimally invasive spine surgery is highly recommended for anyone with a spine-related condition. Although this treatment is unsuitable for all, it can work for different patients, including younger and older adults. Your doctor will determine your suitability for MISS if you require treatment and are skeptical about open spine surgery. If you are not the right candidate, they will recommend an alternative treatment that will take care of your pain and discomfort.
Doctors are using Georgia minimally invasive spine surgery to treat all spine disorders. Patients who qualify for MISS can enjoy a less painful operation since the procedure involves small incisions rather than a significant cut on the back. The small cut does not result in so much muscle and tissue damage, which could prolong the recovery period. Additionally, you will not bleed so much from the minor incision, reducing your chances of suffering a severe complication after the operation. Once the doctor makes a minor incision on the back, they will locate the genesis of your pain, insert a small camera to see the problem, and insert tools and equipment to fix it.
Surgeons offering Georgia minimally invasive spine surgery have been able to treat various problems in the spine that cause spine disorders. For example, they can decompress the nerve structures by removing any herniated discs or bone structures that could be causing pressure and pain in your back. They can also stabilize your destabilized spine segments to restore spine movement and your back’s full function.
Thus, it helps to discuss your treatment options with your doctor in detail if you are diagnosed with a spine condition. Doctors usually start with medications and other less-invasive treatments like exercise and physical therapy. They only recommend surgery when alternative treatments fail to yield the expected results. Your doctor will ensure you understand what MISS entails and how the surgeon will use it to correct your spine disorder for easier decision-making. Additionally, they will consider your medication history and other medical-related factors to determine your suitability for spine surgery.
Conditions Surgeons Can Treat With Georgia Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
MISS has been tried and considered very successful in treating various spine disorders. Thus, it is an excellent alternative to painful, lengthy, and risky open spine surgery in the treatment of the following:
Disc Degeneration
Disc degeneration affects the functioning of the vertebral discs. It is a condition that starts mildly and develops over time. Thus, it is more common in older adults than the younger generation. As your vertebral discs degenerate, they become stiffer and less flexible. This mainly happens due to various changes your body experiences as you age. However,. Spine surgeons can fix this condition with surgery to alleviate pain, improve disc flexibility, and restore overall well-being. If you qualify for Georgia minimally invasive spine surgery, your doctor will recommend it as an alternative to an open operation.
Disc Herniation
This condition occurs when the liquid in the inner core of your vertebral disc ruptures, leaking into the disc’s outside layer. The ruptured disc is what is referred to as disc herniation. The leakage of that gel could harm the disc, inflame or irritate the surrounding nerves, and affect the functioning of the affected structures. It can also result in severe back pain that could affect your daily functioning.
Sciatica
The sciatica nerve runs from your lower back to your legs, controlling the muscles on the back of your upper and lower legs. The nerve also provides sensation to the areas it serves, including the back of your upper leg, the back and outer part of your lower leg, and the sole. If the sciatica nerve becomes pinched, it can cause pain, numbness, and difficulty walking, requiring immediate treatment.
Spinal Stenosis
The vertebral column is served by various nerve channels, which serve multiple functions. These nerve channels function best when they maintain a particular width. If these channels narrow, you develop spinal stenosis, a painful spine condition. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation in the back. However, doctors can correct the condition through MISS to relieve pain and symptoms.
Spine Deformities
The spine has peculiar curving at various points, which should remain so to serve its many functions. Changes in the curving of the spine could result in an abnormal curve or a spine deformity, which can cause pain, movement issues, and balance issues.
Spinal Infections
Infections in the back can occur for various reasons, including after open surgery. Open surgeries expose the spine’s underlying structures to harmful elements, which can cause infections and significant pain, fever, and chills. Doctors can diagnose this condition with an X-ray and develop an effective treatment strategy to stop the infection and alleviate pain.
Fractured Vertebral Compression
Patients who have osteoporosis or have suffered severe trauma on the back have fragile vertebral compression that can easily fracture, resulting in abrupt pain. Skilled spine surgeons can diagnose this condition and recommend the best treatment approach.
Spondylolisthesis
This condition occurs when one vertebra slides across another. The severity of that slide determines the resulting symptoms and treatment approach.
Georgia Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: The Treatment Process
MISS is a very straightforward process. Compared to open surgery, accessing the treatment location and correcting the underlying problem takes less time. Since the vertebrae, vertebral discs, and spinal nerves are deep in the back, the surgeon must move the muscles a bit to reach the treatment location. This is done by creating minimal incisions in the back instead of a significant cut that opens your entire back.
The process begins with the doctor administering just enough anesthesia to get you through the treatment. Since the process is quick, you will not need as much anesthesia as you would need for an open surgery. The reduced amount of anesthesia is also why MISS is preferred today over open surgery.
The next step involves making a small cut on the back and inserting retractable tubing to access the treatment location. The tube moves the spine muscles to the side, allowing the surgeon to insert a small camera and other tools required to treat the underlying condition. The surgeon will remove the tubes once the procedure is complete.
Sometimes, especially in lumbar spine-related cases, the surgeon could race your spine to one side of your body to reduce the pain. They will access the spine and the treatment area from the other side with minimal muscle blockage. You lie on one side throughout the procedure.
The camera gives the surgeon a perfect view of the underlying structures and the areas that require treatment. The surgeon can fix the underlying issue with the camera’s help without opening your back. Once the treatment is complete, the surgeon will carefully remove all the equipment inserted into your back, then close the minor incisions with a few stitches. They will then send you to a recovery room for a few hours or the necessary recovery time.
The Benefits
You need spine surgery because all other treatments have failed to alleviate your pain and restore your movement. Your surgeon can recommend MISS instead of traditional open surgery. Generally, spine surgery is risky, which explains why many people fear it. While many people have successfully undergone spine surgery in the past, a few complications have been reported. Some people have yet to recover from an open operation fully. However, doctors have changed tactics and can perform a minimally invasive operation on patients diagnosed with spine disorders. You can benefit from Georgia minimally invasive spine surgery in numerous ways, including these:
It Is Aesthetically Pleasing
When you have a spine disorder that is causing you so much pain and discomfort, your primary treatment goal is usually to alleviate your pain and return to your usual self. However, anyone who needs back surgery will also worry about the massive scarring that will result from the operation. If this is one of your most significant concerns, you can rest assured that MISS is more aesthetically pleasing regarding after-treatment scarring. With the minor incisions the doctor needs to make on the back, your scars will be minimal and can heal with time. Thus, you will not require additional surgery to improve your back’s appearance.
MISS Has Low Risk
Remember that open spine surgeries present a lot of risks, including excessive bleeding and muscle and tissue damage. These risks could result in complications, extending your recovery time significantly. Although some people recover well after an open surgery, it takes a long time for others, while other patients do not recover fully at all. These risks are very low in minimally invasive surgeries. The minor incisions used to access treatment sites do not result in damage to internal organs. You will also bleed less than you would after an open surgery.
The Recovery is Easy
Recovering from a minimally invasive surgery is easy. Once the anesthesia wears off, you only need a few hours to get back on your feet. Although you can take a few more days off work, you will not be in much pain and can move about and perform basic chores. Thus, you will not need to stay hospitalized for days or weeks after surgery to recover. Spine doctors perform most of these operations in outpatient settings, which do not require hospitalization.
MISS is Less Traumatic
The thought of undergoing open spine surgery can cause a lot of trauma. The operation itself is highly invasive and can cause you so much stress even after a full recovery. This is not what you experience with MISS. The reduced anesthesia, minimal incisions, quick treatment process, and a short recovery will all work in your favor. Additionally, you will be back to your old self in no time. The surgeon will also explain the procedure to prepare you for what to expect during treatment. This prepares you mentally for what to expect during and after treatment.
Find an Experienced Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Service Near Me
You could benefit from minimally invasive spine surgery when a spine condition requires surgical treatment. Your doctor will recommend this type of surgery instead of the traditional open surgery. However, you must meet the criteria for patients who can undergo this type of operation for a spine surgeon to perform it.
At LAMIS, we diagnose, develop treatment plans, and treat various spine disorders using MISS. We can help you understand what it entails, its benefits, and the treatment process to help you make an informed decision. Our spine surgeons have excellent training and experience treating all kinds of spine conditions. Thus, you can expect quality, reliable, and timely service from us. Call us at 310-734-6088 if you require more information about MISS in Georgia for a comprehensive review of your options.
