In the past, spinal surgery was performed as an open surgery. While certain procedures still require an open surgical technique, many procedures can now be performed using a minimally invasive technique. The goal of minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery is to provide stabilization and/or relieve pressure on the spinal nerves while minimizing trauma to the surrounding soft tissues. By minimizing trauma to the surrounding soft tissues, patients have less blood loss, a reduced risk of muscle damage and postoperative infection, less postoperative pain and need for pain medication, faster recovery, and a smaller incision. In some cases, MIS surgery can eliminate the need for general anesthesia by using local anesthesia instead. Some of the most common MIS surgery treatment options include:
- Discectomy
- Spinal decompression
- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
Did You Know?
Minimally invasive spine surgery is performed using a tool called a tubular retractor. When inserted through a small incision, the tubular retractor pushes the soft tissues to the side and acts as a tunnel leading directly to the area of the spine receiving treatment. Small tools are then placed through the tubular retractor to perform the necessary procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for minimally invasive spinal surgery?
You may be a candidate for spinal surgery if you have severe back pain that has not improved with more conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or spinal injections. However, spinal surgery is only effective on certain spinal conditions, so you may be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery if you have any of the following:
Herniated discs
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis
Spinal instability
Scoliosis
Spondylosis
Fractured vertebrae
Tumor removal
Spinal infection
To find out if minimally invasive spine surgery is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Pranay Patel at one of our South Bay, Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Manhattan Beach locations.
What can I expect when having minimally invasive spinal surgery at Ocean Spine with Dr. Pranay Patel?
When having minimally invasive spine surgery, your exact experience may vary depending on the procedure being performed. For example, there are two different types of sedation that may be used. Local anesthesia will numb the affected area and keep you relaxed, but awake. General anesthesia, on the other hand, will block pain and keep you unconscious during the surgery. Once you have been sedated, a small incision will be made in your back. A tubular retractor will be put into the incision and a series of tools will be passed through the retractor to complete the necessary procedure. Once the procedure is complete, the tools and retractor will be removed and the area will be sutured, glued, or stapled shut.
What can I expect after having minimally invasive spinal surgery at Ocean Spine with Dr. Pranay Patel?
After your surgery, you will wake up in recovery where you will be monitored as the effects of the anesthesia wear off. If your procedure was performed as an outpatient procedure, then you will be discharged once you have fully woken up from anesthesia. In some cases, your surgeon may also choose to have you stay at the hospital for a night or two.
As you start the recovery process, it is normal to have some pain. In most cases, pain can be managed with over the counter medications and usually fades relatively quickly after surgery. Depending on the type of procedure performed, you may be given a back brace to wear. You will also need to attend physical therapy to strengthen your spinal muscles and expedite recovery. After surgery, you will also be provided with a list of instructions to follow until you have recovered.