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Some people dread the thought of spinal surgery, assuming they will need a painful procedure requiring weeks of recovery. While that may have been true in the past, the future of spine surgery is Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS). These procedures do not require large incisions. Instead, your Neurosurgeon uses X-rays, cameras, and micro tools to correct the pain-causing portion of the spine, all through an incision less than an inch long. This means less pain and shorter healing time.

Read on to learn more about Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and why it may be a good fit for you.

What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)?

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, or MISS, is one of the most modern spine surgery techniques available. The goal of minimally invasive spine surgery procedures is the same as traditional spine procedures: to stabilize the vertebrae of the spine and to relieve and impingement pain-causing nerves. This impingement can be caused by slipped discs, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or spinal tumors.

That is where the similarities between traditional surgery and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery end. Because MISS uses such a smaller incision, it reduces overall stress on the body– making the procedure safer and less painful with a shorter recovery time.

What Happens During Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Many spinal conditions require surgery due to the fact that the spine is located so deep inside the body under many layers of muscle tissue. Minimally Invasive surgery uses a tubular retractor, which is the size of a pencil and placed inside of a small incision on the back, to minimize impact to the surrounding muscle and tissue. The Tubular Retractor works to push the muscle aside so the surgeon can access the problematic portion of the spine. Small tools and guiding instruments are placed inside the Tubular Retractor to perform the procedure. After completing it, the tools and tubular retractor are removed, allowing the muscles to return to their previous placement. The incision is then closed with a single stitch.

What Spine Conditions Can Minimally Invasive Surgery Be Used To Treat?

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as spinal stenosis, spinal deformities, bone spurs, and vertebral compression fractures. It is also often used to treat a wide range of spinal disc problems such as degenerative disc disease, bulging, or herniated discs that pressure the spinal nerves.

What Are The Most Common Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Procedures?

The field of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery is still developing. Still, a few procedures are more prevalently used than others. Some of the most common Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery procedures include Discectomy. This procedure seeks to repair or replace the rubber discs between vertebrae. These discs can sometimes tear, herniate or collapse over time, causing the nerves in the spinal column to be pinched by the vertebrae. A Discectomy can improve the damaged spinal discs, relieving the patient’s pain and giving them more flexibility.

Another common procedure is spinal decompression. Sometimes nerves in the spinal column will become pressured by various medical ailments. These include Spinal Stenosis, which is the narrowing of the vertebral canal that contains spinal nerves. Spinal decompression can also be used to remove bone spurs or other tissues causing nerve pain.

Can MISS Be Used For Spinal Fusion?

In some cases, Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery can be used to perform a spinal fusion. This procedure is intended to strengthen and stabilize the spine by fusing together two crumbling or broken vertebrae. This can give the patient more stability and hopefully alleviate severe back pain. However, spinal fusion decreases the spine’s flexibility and is often considered the “last resort” for spinal conditions.

This fusion is achieved through bone grafts. Occasionally supplemental hardware, such as plates and screws, may be involved. Once the bones have unified, the hardware will no longer be needed. Still, many patients choose to keep the hardware instead of going through another surgery to remove it.

Where Can I Find A Spine Clinic Practicing Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Frisco TX?

Looking for a spine clinic in Frisco TX? Consider Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas or MINT. Led by renowned Neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Kutz, MINT’s cutting-edge medical team will be able to help you pinpoint the location of your pain and create an appropriate treatment plan. MINT accepts most major insurance and offers telehealth visits for the convenience of its patients. Give them a call or check out the website today!