What are the benefits of minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery?
What are the benefits of minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery? https://phoenixspineandjoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/shutterstock_1029546811-1.jpg 826 1000 Phoenix Spine & Joint https://phoenixspineandjoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/shutterstock_1029546811-1.jpgPeople with back pain can usually rely on medications and physical therapy for help. Many of the conditions that cause back pain are not too serious and do not require much more than these for treatment. However, some conditions, such as osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease, are not always treatable by these kinds of noninvasive methods. Surgery may be the best option instead.
Spinal fusion surgery is one of the most common spinal surgeries. By fusing two or more vertebrae together, surgeons can reduce pressure off the nerve in your spine and improve your spinal alignment.
It can be intimidating to hear that you need spinal fusion surgery. Surgery is invasive and requires a lot of time for recovery that’s often painful. However, thanks to advancements in the field of surgery, spinal fusion surgery may be much less invasive than you think.
What is minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery?
Traditional spinal fusion may require an incision through your neck, abdomen, above your spine or to the side of your spine. These incisions are large and may damage some of your muscles, which can be painful and make your recovery time longer.
In minimally invasive spinal surgery, your surgeons use tools that allow for a smaller, more precise incision. Also, the incision in minimally invasive spinal surgery is usually made right over the spine, so there is less damage to your muscles.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery?
A smaller incision is not the only benefit of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Other benefits include:
- Shorter operating time
- Much less blood loss
- 1000 fold lower risk of infection
- Faster recovery
- Less pain during recovery
- No inpatient hospital stay is usually required
- Improved mobility — The location of the spinal fusion may have limited mobility, but the procedure may help the rest of your back move better
- Improved spinal alignment
- Decreased dependency on medication
Visit Phoenix Spine & Joint for minimally invasive spinal fusion
Spinal fusion can help people with back pain reduce their pain and have a better quality of life, but it’s not the right procedure for everybody. If you have back pain, you should let the team at Phoenix Spine & Joint determine if it is right for you. Our team will determine if spinal fusion is right for you or if you’re a good candidate for ultra-minimally invasive options like direct visualized rhizotomy. Contact us today to talk to one of our care coordinators or to schedule a free second opinion.
