Many people find non-surgical practices useful for their spinal injuries. Many take over-the-counter medications and other treatments. But many may find minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) to be more effective when they need surgery. An orthopedic spine surgeon can provide you with information on your options. The surgery itself includes small incisions, low blood loss, and less pain post-operation. Some conditions have these options, and some do not. Here at Celebration Orthopedics, we can provide these options for you.
Conditions To Ask Your Orthopedic Spine Surgeon About
Some conditions to ask your spine surgeon about for minimally invasive spine surgery include the following:
- Degenerative Disc Disease: This affects the spine’s intervertebral discs. Typically occurring in the neck or lower back, it is most common in older adults
- Herniated Disk: Sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disk, a disk herniates when the inside of the disc (nucleus pulposus) bursts through the disk’s outer layer (annulus fibrosus). When the inside material spreads, it can cause pressure on nearby nerves and create inflammation and pain.
- Sciatica: This condition refers to conditions that compress the sciatic nerve–the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the low back to the bottom of the feet. Sciatica usually occurs on one side of the body.
- Scoliosis and Spinal Deformities: Abnormal spinal curves characterize these conditions. These abnormalities can affect things like balance, flexibility, and spinal alignment.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition is the narrowing of nerve passageways (neuroforamen) and/or the spinal canal in the spine. This condition usually affects the neck or low back. Occurring mostly in older adults, it occurs when a bone spur or tissue compresses a nearby nerve or spinal cord.
- Spondylolisthesis: This occurs when one vertebral body slides forward over the one beneath.
- Vertebral Compression Factor (VCF): These occur as a result of trauma or osteoporosis.
- Spinal Infections: These can develop after surgery or may happen on their own. They can occur in any part of the spine.
- Spinal Tumor: This is an abnormal tissue growth that can occur anywhere on the spine. They can be malignant (non-cancerous) or cancerous.
Procedures Performed Using MISS Techniques
Some procedures that can be performed minimally invasively include:
- Artificial disc replacement
- Discectomy (disc removal)
- Implantation of instrumentation (e.g., interbody device, screws)
- Spinal fusion
- Laminotomy, laminectomy, foraminotomy (nerve decompression)
- Vertebroplasty or balloon kyphoplasty (VCF stabilization)
Limits and Benefits
Keep in mind that not all conditions can be treated with minimally invasive spine surgery. Every situation is unique, and even the ones on the list cannot always be treated with these procedures.
You can talk to your neurosurgeon or spine surgeon to find out if a MISS procedure is right for you.
Contact Us
Celebration Orthopedics is committed to helping you live the best life and get the best treatment possible for your condition. We have orthopedic spine surgeons who are ready to help you. Call or visit us today.