When you need spine surgery, it is important to understand the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. This type of surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery, meaning there is less damage to the surrounding tissue. This can lead to a shorter recovery time and less pain after surgery. Minimally invasive surgery offers many other benefits over traditional surgery. So, by choosing minimally invasive surgery at tennesseespinesurgeon.com, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible care.
Before delving further into the benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery, let’s first define this type of surgery.
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Minimally invasive spinal surgery is done through small incisions on the side or front of your body. It is used to treat conditions of the spine such as:
- Degenerative disc disease – This is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae degenerate resulting in less flexibility and more pain.
- Spinal stenosis – This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
- Herniated discs – This is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae rupture and bulge out.
These are just some of the conditions that can be treated with MISS. Now that we have a better understanding of what MISS is, let’s look at the benefits of this procedure
Low Risk
One of the many benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery is the low risk involved. This surgical approach has:
- Reduces the risk for infection – Since the surgery is done through small incisions, there is less opportunity for bacteria to enter the body and cause infection.
- Reduces the risk of blood loss – With traditional surgery, there is a higher risk for blood loss because the incisions are larger. With this surgery, the incisions are smaller, which leads to less blood loss.
- Reduced risk of complications – Because the surgery is less invasive, there are fewer complications associated with the surgery.
- Require fewer anesthetics – In many cases, you can even have the procedure done in an outpatient facility. With such a low-risk procedure, you can feel confident that you are in good hands.
Cosmetically Appealing
As a surgical procedure, minimally invasive spinal surgery has several advantages over traditional open spine surgery. One of these advantages is that the surgery produces less scarring. This is due to the smaller incisions used in spinal surgery. When the incisions are smaller, there is less tissue damage and thus less scarring. With traditional open spine surgery, you can often expect large, unsightly scars.
Faster Recovery
As someone who has undergone minimally invasive spinal surgery, you can expect a faster recovery. These are a few of the benefits:
- You will spend less time in the hospital – The average hospital stay for minimally invasive spinal surgery is two to four days. You can expect to go home the same day or the next day after your surgery.
- You will experience less pain – Minimally invasive spinal surgery requires smaller incisions than traditional open spine surgery. This reduces pain and speeds up recovery time.
- You will need less medication – Since the surgery is less invasive, you will need less medication to recover. This reduces your risk of side effects and other complications.
- Less physical therapy challenges – You may need physical therapy after surgery, but the exercises will be less challenging. This is because minimally invasive spinal surgery preserves more of the muscles and ligaments around the spine.
Lower Chances For Muscle Damage
As you undergo minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS), you can be confident that there is a lower chance of muscle damage. This is because the procedure involves less cutting and pulling of muscles. Additionally, there is also less damage to surrounding tissue and muscles. All of this translates into a quicker and more seamless recovery process for you. So if you are considering MISS, be sure to discuss the potential benefits with your surgeon!
Minimally invasive spinal surgery offers several advantages over traditional open spine surgery, including a low risk of infection, blood loss, and complications. Additionally, the procedure leaves less scarring due to the smaller incisions used in the procedure. And finally, MISS results in a faster recovery time due to less pain and reduced need for medication. So if you are suffering from a condition that can be treated with minimally invasive spinal surgery, be sure to consider this option!