Why Minimally Invasive Surgeries Are Often Chosen Over Open Back Surgeries

Traditionally, when you would need spine surgery,  you would undergo open surgery. However, there are many reasons why minimally invasive surgery might be a better option and why you should discuss this option with your doctor.

Open Back Surgery

When you undergo open surgery, a long incision will be made down your back. Your muscles and much of your soft tissue will need to be moved away. Because of how invasive this surgery can be, there is a greater risk that something will go wrong. 

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

With a minimally invasive spine procedure, the surgeon makes a much smaller incision and then inserts a tubular retractor. The muscle and soft tissue near the spine are pushed away much more gently. The surgeon can move small tools through the tunnel so the spinal tissue can then be worked on. 

Even though minimally invasive spine surgery is a better option than open spine surgery, your doctor will recommend that you undergo other treatments that do not require surgery before you consider any type of surgery. The minimally invasive surgery is the option that your doctor will recommend when other treatments for back pain do not appear to work.

Conditions Treated

Minimally invasive spine surgery can be used to treat a variety of back injuries including fractured vertebrae, spinal instability, a herniated disc, an infection of the spine, and many other spinal conditions.

What to Expect

Anesthesia will allow you to be asleep while the surgery is being carried out. You will also be given antibiotics to protect you from infection. The surgeon will use a special diagnostic device to view your spine so that they can effectively carry out the surgery.

The surgeon will then make any repairs necessary to your spine. They will then remove the equipment from your body. After they are done, you may need to remain at the clinic or hospital to make sure that there are no medical concerns. Then, you will be allowed to go home.

Recovery After the Surgery

You may experience some pain after your surgery, but you will be able to alleviate the pain with over-the-counter medications. Usually, your spine will stop hurting relatively quickly. You may experience a small amount of fluid leakage, but you should tell your doctor if the quantity of fluid increases. Then, when you have recovered, your back should hurt much less.

Contact a surgeon if you have more questions about minimally invasive spine surgery.   

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