Talk to one of our expert surgeons or a local surgeon skilled in these techniques, and they can help you decide if minimally invasive spine surgery is the right choice for you. They’ll spend time learning about your unique situation and medical history. Then, they’ll decide if you are a good fit for minimally invasive spine surgery.
To grasp minimally invasive spine surgery, start by learning what causes back or neck pain. This pain can also lead to leg or arm discomfort.
Spine surgery works best when it relieves pain or symptoms from nerve compression in your spine. This compression may be caused by various problems affecting different anatomical structures. Medical terminology can be confusing, but our specialists excel at explaining your condition in clear terms.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is a versatile treatment option that can address a wide range of spinal conditions. Some of the most common conditions treated with minimally invasive techniques include:
Minimally invasive techniques provide effective options for different spinal issues. They help patients recover faster and reduce pain, improving their quality of life.
Whenever a structure in your spine is out of place, it can compress a nerve. You may feel pain in your back or pain traveling into your buttock, down your leg, or even into your foot. When a similar phenomenon occurs in your neck, the pain may travel down your arm and into your hand or fingers. Weakness and altered sensation can occur with the pain or in isolation. These symptoms can often be treated without surgery, but there are cases when surgery is the best solution.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is the leading neurosurgical technique for relieving these symptoms. These procedures usually use small incisions. Spinal muscles are carefully opened with special tubes known as muscle dilators. This method allows access to the spine while causing little muscle damage. Minimally invasive methods help patients recover faster and cause less tissue damage. This improves their quality of life.
A microscope or endoscope shows the surgical target. Then, specialized tools go through the small incision to relieve the pinched or irritated nerve(s). Metal implants or “instrumentation” are placed to treat your condition if necessary. After your surgeon decompresses your spinal nerves, they will remove the instruments. Then, they will close the small incision.
Minimally invasive spine surgery causes less damage to spinal muscles and reduces pain compared to traditional open spinal surgery. Patients typically enjoy a faster return to their previous active lifestyles. An additional benefit is a much lower rate of infection. Minimally invasive spine procedures use smaller cuts. This means less trauma and quicker recovery than traditional methods.
Regardless of the type of surgery performed, most people have questions regarding their procedure. Your doctor should be able to answer all your questions regarding minimally invasive spine surgery. The most important question is, “Is surgery right for me?”
If you have a pain or neurological condition related to your spine, many different treatment options are available. Physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications are usually the first line of treatment. Sometimes, injections are used to decrease inflammation and provide symptomatic relief. These are just two examples of what is called “conservative” or “non-operative” spine care. Non-surgical treatments usually come first before surgery. These options include physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
If conservative treatments don’t relieve your pain or if you feel weakness or numbness, your doctor may recommend surgery. Even if your pain is severe and conservative treatments haven’t worked, surgery might not be right for you. One of the most essential qualities in a spine surgeon is determining which patients to recommend surgery for.
Although the kinds of spine surgery have not changed much recently, how they are performed has changed dramatically. Now, we can perform these surgeries with less invasiveness. This makes them less painful and easier to recover from. Traditional spine surgery might be better for some patients. This is true for those who have had problems from past surgeries.
It is often said that a good surgeon knows when to operate, while a great surgeon knows when not to operate. Talk to your doctor before surgery. They will help you decide if minimally invasive spine surgery is right for you. The first and most important question is whether surgery can effectively treat your condition.
Can we avoid surgery by starting or continuing a non-surgical treatment? Finally, suppose your surgeon believes that surgery is your best option. In this case, it’s important to get an honest opinion. You need to know if your condition can be treated with a minimally invasive method or if a traditional “open” surgery is better.
Spine surgery can help many people, regardless of age or health. However, other factors help your doctor decide if you are a good fit for minimally invasive spine surgery.
Variables that tend to indicate a more favorable outcome include:
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. Factors that might make traditional approaches more suitable include:
Your surgeon will assess your condition. They will decide if minimally invasive techniques can meet your needs or if a traditional approach is better for you.
Active, healthy people usually make the best candidates for minimally invasive spine surgery. The top benefit of minimally invasive spine surgery is that it helps you return to your life quicker than traditional surgery.
The decision to have spine surgery is an important one that you, your family, and your surgeon should take very seriously. Finding the right surgeon to perform your spine surgery is paramount. This can ensure you are comfortable with your decision and give you confidence.
When presented with the option to have surgery, you will likely wonder if surgery is right for you. This is normal and common. How will the surgery affect your ability to work, care for your family, or engage in recreational activities?
Everyone is different, and the answer to those questions is personal. Minimally invasive spine surgery helps you return to normal activities fast for many spine problems.
If you have back or neck pain that won’t go away with simple treatments, you might want to explore minimally invasive surgery. Our skilled neurosurgeons at Neurosurgeons of New Jersey focus on minimally invasive methods. We can help you find out if you’re a good fit for this approach.
Schedule a consultation today by calling 551-284-3265 or using our online form to request an appointment. Our spine specialists will evaluate you thoroughly. Then, they will create a personalized treatment plan. This plan aims to help you return to your active lifestyle with little downtime.
Most patients can return to light activities within 1-2 weeks after minimally invasive spine surgery. For many procedures, you can resume normal activities in 3-4 weeks. However, recovery depends on the procedure, your health, and if spinal fusion was done. Your surgeon will provide personalized recovery guidelines.
Yes, after minimally invasive spine surgery, physical therapy is usually recommended. It helps improve your recovery.
Your physical therapist will create a program to:
Most patients begin physical therapy within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery carries significantly fewer risks than traditional open surgery. Complications can occur, such as infection, bleeding, nerve damage, or not feeling complete relief. However, these issues are very rare. In uncommon cases, a surgeon may need to convert to an open procedure if unexpected challenges arise. Your surgeon will talk with you about these low-risk options during your consultation. This way, you will feel informed and confident.
Most insurance plans cover minimally invasive spine surgery when it’s medically necessary. At Neurosurgeons of New Jersey, our insurance team checks your coverage before your procedure. They also help with any pre-authorization needs. We work with most major insurance providers to ensure you receive the necessary care.
Most patients feel less pain after surgery when they use minimally invasive techniques. Pain tolerance varies by person, but these methods usually cause less discomfort than open surgery. You will usually get pain medicine for the first few days. Many patients switch to over-the-counter options within a week. Some pain at the surgical site is normal as you heal. However, if you feel severe pain, tell your surgeon right away.
Many minimally invasive spine procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day. More complex procedures may require a brief hospital stay of 1-2 days. Your surgeon will talk about if your procedure will be outpatient or inpatient during your consultation.
It’s best to have someone help you for the first few days after surgery. They can assist with transportation and household tasks. Minimally invasive procedures help you regain independence faster. However, you’ll still face some limits at first, like bending, lifting, and driving restrictions. Planning for some assistance during the first week can make your recovery more comfortable.
