Everything You Need to Know About Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Dallas TX
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Are you looking for experts in oblique lumbar interbody fusion in Dallas TX? Look no further because you’re on the right page. However, before booking an appointment, it’s important to understand how this minimally invasive neurosurgery procedure works. What does oblique lumbar interbody fusion mean, and how is it beneficial for you?
Before anything else, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a procedure or technique that is relatively less invasive compared to open surgery, which is done for a common purpose. This procedure involves remote-controlled surgical instruments and laparoscopic devices to observe the surgical operation through an endoscope or microscope.
Some of the most common benefits of MIS include less pain, small incision, shortened hospital admission, accuracy, and muscle sparing. If you’re currently suffering from a spinal condition, it’s crucial to have expert advice on the treatments you can undergo in order to reduce the symptoms and recover.
What Is Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion?
Basically, your lumbar spine is composed of vertebral bones that are lined together, and set-apart by soft intervertebral discs to protect your spine every time a movement is made. Over time, the discs deteriorate, which can lead to painful rubbing of the vertebrae against one another.
Once degeneration takes place in your spine, symptoms include lower back pain, weakness, numbness, and chronic pain. Now, this is where oblique lumbar interbody fusion surgery (OLIF) comes in. This minimally invasive technique removes the damaged intervertebral bones and discs, and fuses the two spinal vertebrae.
How OLIF Is Done by MIS Experts?
OLIF takes a lateral approach unlike traditional procedures for spinal fusion. As a result, it spares the bones, ligaments, and muscles from major disruption. This means you can preserve your back strength even after the procedure. This is best recommended for spondylolisthesis, spine instability, bulging discs, fractured vertebrae, and abnormal spine conditions.
If you’re worried about pain during the operation, don’t fret because this is done with general anesthesia. It is safely performed to reach your endmost lumbar vertebra without any tinge of pain, while successfully completing the procedure. The oblique approach avoids your pelvic bone. This way, you won’t be in so much pain during the operation.
Moreover, the incision will be made in your abdomen’s side so that the soft tissues can be carefully separated while reaching your lumbar spine. After that, the fractured intervertebral disc or vertebral bone is totally or partially removed, depending on your condition. An appropriate spacer, or sometimes a bone graft, is placed in the spine to maintain intervertebral space, which allows your bones to eventually fuse.
Some of the most common tools used for support are plates, rods, and screws. After repositioning the soft tissues, your incision will then be closed. Your doctor may advise you to stay for up to two days or even longer in the hospital, depending on the results.
In addition, you may be prescribed to take pain medications or use a back brace to support your spine while you make small movements until you have fully recovered. You may also undergo physical therapy in order to improve your movement and strength after the surgery. The bones may take up to 6 weeks to fuse then you can go back to your daily routine.
Cost of Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion
The cost of an OLIF procedure differs from patient to patient, depending on the condition and the additional support needed in order to complete the surgery until recovery. However, this is usually an expensive treatment since it involves minimally invasive interbody fusion techniques and equipment that basically require expertise in the field.
You can request an appointment with Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas in order to get an upfront cost or a quote for your symptoms and conditions. This will help you understand the entire process while making sure you will get the best option that meets your health needs.
OLIF Success Rates
Interbody fusion is a standard treatment for lower back pain in the Western world. But many other states are now recognizing the advantages of oblique lumbar interbody fusion procedure compared to traditional open surgery procedures that are more risky and painful. For instance, minimally invasive spine surgery is a safer option with quicker results than open spine surgeries.
When you choose MIS procedures, you can benefit from faster recovery, less rehabilitation, smaller incision and less scarring, reduced blood loss, less tissue damage, less pain, and less time needed to complete the surgery. However, there are still risks that should be considered before undergoing interbody fusion procedures.
The risks include localized infections, sudden loss of blood, and potential adverse reactions during surgery. This is why you need a thorough consultation with your doctor before you book an appointment. Also, it’s important to know that after initial surgery, there is a possibility for another procedure if the first operation is not completed.
Recommendation
In case you are having issues with your spine, taking precautionary measures is important to prevent your condition from getting worse. Talk to your doctor today and see how you can improve your condition. But if it’s necessary to undergo minimally invasive surgery, you need to be carefully briefed regarding the treatment.
If there’s anything we can help you with, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to know more about our services including the oblique lumbar interbody fusion in Dallas TX because Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas has always got your back!
