When open surgery is mentioned, many people think of the pain, scarring, and the prolonged healing time required. This makes people afraid of seeking treatment for conditions requiring surgery, which puts them at many risks. However, you don’t have to be afraid anymore. If you have back or neck pain and other conservative treatment options haven’t worked for you, Jocelyn Idema, DO, offers minimally invasive spinal surgery in Washington, PA. This procedure uses minimally invasive techniques to minimize the pain, scarring, and recovery time throughout your treatment.
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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
This is an approach to spine surgery that avoids large incisions, unlike in traditional open surgery. Your provider makes small incisions where specialized instruments are inserted to guide them on the procedure. Not just anyone can perform this type of surgery. It requires exceptional expertise, and your provider should be highly experienced in such procedures.
Minimally invasive spinal surgery can be used for several spine surgery types, including:
- Spinal fusion
- Laminectomy
- Lumbar discectomy
Top Reasons for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Not everyone with back or neck pain needs surgery. It only becomes an option if you have tried other treatment options such as physical therapy and medications without success. However, even if other treatments haven’t worked for you, you might still not be a candidate for surgery as it doesn’t fix all types of back problems. It depends on your condition.
Some of the conditions manageable through minimally invasive spine surgery include:
- Spine infection
- Tumor removal from the spine
- Fractured vertebra
- Spondylolysis
- Spinal instability
- Spinal deformities such as scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated disc
Your provider will diagnose your condition and help you know if surgery is the best treatment option for you.
How to Prepare for the Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
After your provider finds surgery your best treatment option, they will provide special instructions on your preparation for the procedure. If you are taking any medications, it is essential to let your provider know. You will be required to skip taking some medications a few days before your procedure. If you smoke, you will also be required to quit ahead of time to avoid the delay of healing.
Some imaging tests can be carried out before your procedure, including x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). You will probably be required to not eat after midnight the day prior to your procedure. In case you have experienced some health changes of late, it is good to let your provider know.
What to Expect During the Procedure
You can have typical anesthesia or sedation to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure. You can also be given general anesthesia to make you sleep and to prevent pain during the procedure.
You can also be given some antibiotics before and after the procedure to prevent infections. Your provider will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs during the procedure.
Small incisions are made on your treatment area, and special instruments are used to expose the spine’s part to be treated. The needed repairs are then made, and the instruments are removed. Your provider then closes the incisions, and bandages are used on the wounds.
There is more to explore about minimally invasive spinal surgery. Contact your provider at Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center, and you will get all the information you need about this life-changing procedure.