Minimally invasive spine surgery is a great option for many patients. As opposed to open spine surgery, it can be faster, safer, and require less time for recovery. This type of surgery also limits the size of the incision and utilizes a microscopic video camera to gain access to the patient’s spine.
While minimally invasive spine surgery has been around since the 1980s, recent rapid advances in technology have enabled spine surgeons to treat an increasing number of spinal disorders such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, fractures, tumors, infections, instability, and deformity.Minimally invasive spine surgery can be faster, safer, and require less time for recovery. Click To Tweet
However, not every patient qualifies for this type of surgery. In order to qualify, the surgeon must be certain that the same or better results can be achieved through minimally invasive spine surgery techniques than with an open procedure.
Below are some of the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery:
- Better cosmetic results
- Less blood loss from surgery
- Reduced risk of muscle damage
- Reduced risk of infection and postoperative pain
- Faster recovery from surgery
An example of minimally invasive spine surgery
Dr. J. Brian Gill, a surgeon at Nebraska Spine Hospital, believes that the XLIF® procedure is an excellent treatment option for patients suffering from back and leg pain. Read more about what Dr. Gill has to say about the procedure below:
“The XLIF® procedure is a minimally invasive spine surgery for patients who suffer from back and leg pain. The procedure is done on the patient’s side whereby an incision is made, about the size of a half dollar coin. Through this portal, the structures that are compressing the nerves and causing the back and leg pain are removed. Most patients are able to walk the same day. However, not all conditions are amenable to this procedure and it has its limitations.”
As you can see, minimally invasive spine surgery is a viable option for many patients. For more information on which treatment option is right for you, please Find a doctor with one of our board-certified surgeons.