Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit a Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery in Plano TX
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A Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery Plano TX is a great relief for locals who have back problems. Before you visit one, get to know what their treatment options are all about.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Explained
If you search for minimally invasive spine surgery near me, you should choose sites that explain its benefits, types, and risks. Moreover, focus on those that shed light on how it’s actually done.
The said procedure doesn’t involve extensive incisions, unlike the traditional technique. An endoscope and other specialized surgical instruments make this possible. Minimally invasive spine surgery still requires incision, but this is only less than 2 cm. in length.
An endoscope isn’t a new invention. In the past decades though, it was only used for diagnosis. These days, it’s sought for many kinds of surgeries. It’s especially useful in treating brain and spine conditions.
It’s best known for being the thin, flexible, and tubular medical instrument with a small camera and light. It’s inserted into the body through the mouth, anus or urethra.
But for spine surgeries, the instrument is inserted through an incision in the back, abdomen or chest. Aside from the camera and light, it also has another tool attached to it.
Benefits
Compared to open back surgery, the risks are lower in minimally invasive technique. With smaller incisions, potential blood loss and infections are reduced. The pain during and after the surgery is also less intense. The post-operative scars are less obvious as well.
Most minimally invasive back surgery reviews also rave about the quick recovery of patients. It will still take weeks or even months. However, the recovery period rarely goes over a year.
This type of surgery is also more cost-effective. After all, you won’t be staying in the hospital for so long. You can return to your work sooner, too.
Types
There are different types of minimally invasive spine surgery based on the conditions they treat. In each type, there’s a specific tool to be used alongside the endoscope.
Discectomy is the most common type. It’s further classified into anterior cervical discectomy, endoscopic discectomy, and laser discectomy. The first two involve removal of the disc or a part of it. In laser discectomy, the pain-causing tissue is vaporized.
Surgeries for other disc-related problems include interbody fusion and disc replacement. Disc replacement is usually done with the patient lying down on his or her stomach. It’s either partial or total disc replacement.
Interbody fusion is classified based on where the incision is made. In anterior lumbar interbody fusion, the incision is on the abdomen. If it’s done on the side of the body, it’s called extreme lateral interbody fusion. Both types of spinal fusion may also be sought to treat symptoms of tumors, infections, and fractures.
Anterior longitudinal ligament resection is intended for those with scoliosis, kyphosis and other back-related deformities. Percutaneous posterior pedicle screw fixation is for those who have a stability problem.
People who often deal with upper back pain may have excess disc, bone or scar tissue. Posterior cervical microforaminotomy, which involves incision on the neck, may treat such a problem.
For compression fractures, kyphoplasty, laminectomy, and laminotomy are applicable. Laminectomy involves total (or near-total) elimination of lamina. Laminotomy, on the other hand, merely reduces it.
In kyphoplasty, a small balloon is inserted and blown in the affected vertebrae. Then, the balloon will be filled with cement to fill the fracture.
En bloc resection is for treating spinal tumors. This is also applied to tumors near the spine.
Most of the incisions for the surgeries above are done in the back and abdomen. It’s also possible to do back surgery by operating through the chest. This is called thoracotomy.
Suitability
To be clear, minimally invasive spinal stenosis surgery in Plano TX isn’t for everyone with a back problem. You have to get a proper diagnosis first. Afterward, your doctor will check you for other diseases.
The procedure isn’t 100% risk-free. As such, you might not get it if you have another condition.
Preparation
While it’s not as complex as an open back procedure, it’s still worth preparing for the minimally invasive surgery. Your surgeon will list down the things you have to do. This includes skipping those medications that may interact with the ones you’ll take before, during and after the surgery.
If you’re smoking and/or taking herbal medicines, you need to stop weeks before the operation. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you should also exercise for at least 15 minutes a day.
Possible Complications
Instead of searching for lumbar spine surgery near me, look for the hospitals or clinics with good reviews. Find out who the surgeons are, and what their procedures involve. Furthermore, you should check if there are patients who suffer from surgery-related risks.
The screw or any other material inserted into the back may move or break. This will irritate the surrounding tissue. If left untreated, this will cause infection and pain.
Allergic reaction to anesthesia is also one of the possible complications. Infections, blood clots, and pneumonia are other surgery-related risks. While it’s low, there’s still the risk of paralysis.
If one of these symptoms start to show up during surgery, the operation will be stopped. The surgeon may schedule another one or require an open back surgery instead.
Dr. Scott Kutz, MD, diagnose and treat spine problems in his clinic, Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas. Call (972) 244-3491 to book an appointment in the said Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery Plano TX.
