Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Phoenix, Arizona

What are minimally invasive spine procedures?

The idea of back surgery can be frightening, but advancements in the field of spinal procedures have led to several techniques that are less invasive than traditional spine surgery.

Minimally invasive spine procedures can reduce or eliminate pain and improve mobility, health and quality of life.

Some of the benefits of these procedures over traditional back surgery include:

• Smaller incisions or injections only
• Less post-surgical pain and reduced reliance on pain medications
• Less blood loss
• Little-to-no muscle damage
• Lower risk of anesthesia-related complications
• Faster recovery

How Do Minimally-Invasive Spine Procedures Work?

The biggest challenge when it comes to spine surgery is that the spine is located deep within the body, protected by thick muscle at the back and hidden under major organs and blood vessels in front.

With traditional spine surgery, the back must be opened up and the muscles must be cut or dissected in order to access the spine, creating a significant amount of soft tissue damage. Anterior (from the front) approaches spare the back muscles, but they also put major blood vessels and the genitourinary tract at risk.

What Are My Options for Spine Surgery That’s Minimally Invasive?

If you are a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery, there are many types of procedures that might be suitable for your individual circumstances, including:

• Spinal stenosis decompression
• Minimally invasive cervical spine surgery
• Minimally invasive laminectomy
• Minimally invasive spine surgery for spondylolisthesis
• Lateral access spinal fusion surgery

Certain spine procedures can now be done endoscopically. Endoscopic spine surgery is an ultra-minimally invasive approach that allows the surgeon to access and treat damaged vertebrae through a small incision using dilating tubes, guidewires and moving X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy).

Are There Minimally Invasive Types of Fusion?

Yes. A less invasive form of spinal fusion surgery is lateral access spinal fusion surgery. Lateral access involves surgically entering through the side of the body rather than the back or front, which greatly reduces damage and risk to soft tissues and also allows for the placement of very large interbody implants that restore space between vertebrae.

Alternatives to Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Phoenix, AZ

Even the least invasive back surgery in AZ is still surgery. If you haven’t yet tried non-surgical interventions to deal with your pain, you may have other options. Injections for pain management such as medial branch blocks and epidural injections help identify and treat the nerve or nerves that are causing pain. In some cases, once the troublesome nerves are identified, radiofrequency rhizotomy may be used to permanently disable them.

Why Having Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Arizona Matters

Every decision regarding surgery is a big one. From the perspective of the patient, there are no “minor” or “routine” surgical procedures. Everyday people simply do not experience the recovery associated with even minor surgeries daily. That said, the advancements described above are just one of several reasons to have a minimally invasive spine procedure (our expert team is another!)

The risks are significantly lower than they were 20 or 30 years ago for most patients, the recovery times from these newer procedures can be much faster and the ultimate results can be much better.

Preparing for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Proper pre-surgical preparation is crucial to enjoying as smooth an experience as possible during both surgery and recovery. Your preparation will likely involve:

• Getting evaluated by a physician to see if you qualify for minimally invasive surgery and discussing any other important factors (such as medications or supplements you may be taking regularly)
• Scheduling your procedure
• Getting a pre-operation physical examination prior to surgery
• Adhering to any fasting instructions provided by your physician (in most cases, when general anesthesia is administered, you must fast and avoid consuming liquids for a certain amount of time)
• Arranging transportation to and from surgery
• Choosing clothing for the day of surgery in advance (avoid jewelry and dress comfortably)
• Ensuring you have access to your insurance card & ID to bring with you to surgery
• Confirming your surgery appointment (usually the day beforehand)

Preparing for Anesthesia

Your doctor or nurse will discuss your options for pain relief during and after surgery, including general anesthesia, local or regional anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care. They will also discuss your post-operative pain relief options.

The type of anesthesia used will affect the steps you must take. In general, you should not eat or drink 8 hours prior to your surgery. You should ask your doctor about how to prepare for anesthesia (and surgery in general) if you have not been given clear instructions.

Get Relief from Pain: Explore Your Options Now

Unlike most other areas of the body, back pain can all but destroy your ability to move, your ability to sit, your ability to sleep and just about any other daily activity that people without back problems usually take for granted.

Minimally invasive spine surgery in Arizona with our expert team can give you a new lease on life.

We work only with the best interests of the patient in mind at all times. If you’d like to learn more about what we can do to help you, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.