Minimally Invasive Decompression in Dallas
Image sourced from Canva
Looking for minimally invasive decompression in Dallas?
One of the best places to recommend is Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas based in Plano, and owned and managed by Dr. Scott Kutz, M.D.
Scott C. Kutz, MD is a certified neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of spinal problems like spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and spinal tumors.
If you wish to visit the clinic in person, Plano and Dallas are 17.73 miles apart based on the southwest direction and 19 miles by car using the US-75 route. The average drive time between these two cities is 19 minutes, if you drive non-stop.
What Is Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression?
Also called spinal decompression, this is a surgical procedure with an aim to relieve lumbar pressure. The procedure is also applied in cases where one or more nerves passing through and exiting the spinal column are compressed.
With the use of traction, the minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure treatment increases circulation to the affected spinal disc, allowing that part to start the natural healing process. Along with the disc pressure relief, compression of adjoining nerve roots may also be reduced
Symptoms of Spine Problems That Tell Surgery Is a Must
The human back has 24 vertebrae. When tendons, nerves, joints or muscles are compromised, it can be so painful that you will not be able to do your normal day-to-day activities.
Symptoms that might require you to consult for a possibility of surgery are:
- Changes in bladder function (of bowel function)
- Reduced or to total loss of function of arms, legs or both
- Pain that continues too get worse
- Radiating pain and tingling sensations
- Numbness experienced in the extremities
- Loss of balance
How Is It Performed?
As soon as you’re scheduled for the surgery, you will be advised to:
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Cease smoking
- Take regular exercise
There will be an assessment of your health condition prior to the operation scheduled a couple of days ahead. Spine MRI scans and x-rays, and blood tests will be performed.
During this assessment, discuss any concerns that you may be having. You will be introduced to the surgeon who will conduct the operation. That will be your opportunity to ask him questions.
During the operation, you will be under general anesthetic. This means you will not be feeling any pain since you will be asleep all the time. Depending on the severity of the problem, the entire procedure may take an hour to finish or more.
The amount of MILD minimally invasive lumbar decompression that will be applied will be based on the x-ray results. The surgeon will cut vertically through and along one side of your spine, with an incision length that will be decided based on three factors:
- The number of discs that need treatment
- The complexity of the surgical procedure
- And whether or not fusion has been taken into account
Affected nerves and tissues will be extracted. Once the right amount of decompression has been attained, the surgeon will proceed to close the incision by stitching the muscles that have been slit together.
Benefits
Minimally invasive decompression surgery in Dallas gives the following benefits:
- Quick recovery
- Smaller incision size (low damage cosmetically)
- Less risk for infection
- Low blood loss
- Low-level pains, resulting in a lower need for pain management.
Unlike traditional surgeries, the minimally invasive approach is by far the safest and quickest option. In fact, the procedure can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Additionally, the procedure results in less overall tissue and muscle trauma that one can’t experience from old-style approaches.
Complete Spinal Surgery Services Available
The Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas offers the following Dallas minimally invasive disc decompression services for lumbar surgery:
- Lumbar laminotomy – removal of a section of the lamina of a vertebral arch
- Lumbar foraminotomy – removal of bone and tissue obstructing the neuroforamen
- Cervical facet fusion – Fusion uses rods and screws, and bone grafts to stabilize the spine
- Lumbar Interbody Fusion
- Sacroiliac joint fusion
- Percutaneous spinal instrumentation – devices are placed in the spine through a small incision. Examples of devices for this purpose are X-Stop and Superion
- Thoracic discectomy – removing all or part of the herniated disc pressing on the nerve root or spinal cord
- minimally invasive lumbar decompression for spinal stenosis – permanently decompresses the spinal canal
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression Recovery – Things to Expect
Though the procedure is less intrusive, you will need a considerable time to heal. After the operation, expect the following:
- Hospital stay – Physical therapy may be required after the procedure. Some patients are allowed to leave after a few hours, but others may be required to stay for about four days for close observation.
- Recovery time – It takes 4 to 6 weeks for total recovery to take place. Most patients can resume work two weeks after undergoing surgery.
- Pain and Discomfort – Expect to deal with a considerable amount of pain. Ask your doctor for appropriate pain management as you recover.
- Scarring – Scars would be minimal and significantly smaller than one would have from a traditional procedure. Keep the affected area clean, and immediately consult with your doctor if you notice something is awry with the way the affected area is healing.
For questions, get in touch with the clinic of Dr. Kutz. You can call us at (972) 244-3491. They are some of the most experienced practitioners in the area of minimally invasive decompression in Dallas.
