What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
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What is minimally invasive spine surgery? According to MINT, it is an advanced surgical method that involves the neurosurgeon making a small incision in the back or abdomen to reach the area of concern and place a bone graft material to fuse the vertebrae. There are various types of minimally invasive spine surgery, such as:
- Discectomy
- Laminectomy
- Spinal Fusion
- Foraminotomy
- Corpectomy
- Spinal Instrumentation
- Resection of synovial cyst
- Others
MIS procedures are alternative to traditional open-back surgery. These procedures are performed to treat a wide range of spinal disorders, such as herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, etc.
MIS procedures offer many benefits than open-back surgery, such as tiny incisions, sparing of delicate spinal structures, such as muscles, ligaments, tissues, nerves, less post-operative pain, fewer scars, and faster rehabilitation.
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
There are two main goals of minimally invasive spine surgery: decompression and stabilization. Spinal decompression is a specialized procedure that involves removing tissues from the spine that compresses nerve root or the spinal cord.
For example, bone fragments and spurs due to herniated disc cause neural compression. MIS procedures are performed to decompress the nerves and relieve pain. Likewise, MINT neurosurgeons perform MIS procedures to stabilize the spine.
Our qualified and professional neurosurgeons perform fusion or spinal instrumentation to treat abnormal movements in one or more spinal segments that cause neck or back pain. We use high-quality surgical imaging systems, such as fluoroscopy, to view the patient’s spinal anatomy.
Common Spinal Disorders Treated with MIS Procedures
What is minimally invasive spine surgery? It involves making a tiny incision in the back instead of cutting through spinal structures. Our surgeons create a tunnel through segmental tubular retraction. The tunnel passes between the spinal muscles to reach the spinal column.
A small video camera, also known as an endoscope, provides images or live video of the surgical area on a high-quality monitor during the surgery. Our neurosurgeon performs the surgery through the tubular retraction system using specific MIS instruments. Here are the common conditions treated with MIS procedures.
Degenerative Disc Disease
It is a spinal condition that causes significant pain in the back. Degenerative disc disease is a common health condition in the elderly population. It affects the intervertebral discs and causes stiffness, weakness, loss of flexibility, and decreased motion range. All these changes can cause disc herniation. MIS procedures like Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) are typically performed to treat degenerative disc disease.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc is also known as a slipped disc. The breaking of an intervertebral disc characterizes this spinal condition. It affects the spinal disc’s outer protective layer, irritating the nearby spinal nerves and cause pain. The most common MIS procedure performed to treat a herniated disc is a discectomy. It involves removing some parts or a completely damaged intervertebral disc.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is another condition that causes discomfort and pain in the back. It occurs due to compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots. Spinal stenosis can cause weakness, tingling, numbness, discomfort, and pain. Bear in mind that pain can radiate to your arms and legs. A minimally invasive laminectomy is usually performed to treat spinal stenosis.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis refers to an abnormal sideward spinal curve, which can lead to spinal deformity. Common symptoms of scoliosis are a visible bulge on the spine, discomfort, and pain. Scoliosis has no specific causes and can affect people of all ages. Here a MINT, our neurosurgeons perform spinal fusion through MIS to treat scoliosis.
Benefits of MIS Procedures
Non-invasive back pain treatment options include medications, physical therapy exercises, laser therapy, and homemade remedies. Although drugs and physical therapy can provide back pain relief, it is temporary. It means if your pain persists for more than three months, you can have to undergo an advanced treatment, such as an open-back surgery or minimally invasive spine surgery.
Open-back surgery has various disadvantages. These include making a large incision in the back or abdomen, blood loss, damage to nerves, tissues, and muscles, increased risk of infection, and longer hospital stays.
On the other hand, minimally invasive spine surgery has over 90% success rate. MINT’s data analysis shows that it has a 99% success rate in MIS procedures. MIS procedures lead to less blood loss, no infections, no damage to muscles and tissues, shorter hospital stays, and faster rehabilitation.
Contact MINT Today
If you are experiencing severe back pain, schedule an appointment with our neurosurgeon. Our specialist will work with you to use the minimally invasive procedure to treat your spinal condition. What is minimally invasive spine surgery – We have already answer that question. Contact us today!
