Spine surgery of any kind is major and comes with some level of risk. However, advancements in medical technology have made it possible to perform many spine surgeries using a minimally invasive approach, reducing risk and improving patient outcomes.
At Orthopedic & Wellness in Frederick, Waldorf, and Germantown, Maryland, our skilled surgeon, Dr. Ojedapo Ojeyemi, puts patient health and safety above all else. Whenever possible, he uses advanced minimally invasive spine surgery techniques when performing back or neck surgery because of the advantages it offers over traditional open surgery procedures.
Accessing the spine requires cutting through healthy tissue. Traditional open surgery requires a large incision to fully visualize the spine and the area in need of repair.
Minimally invasive surgery, on the other hand, uses small incisions and a small high-definition camera to guide the procedure. This approach reduces tissue healthy tissue damage, resulting in smaller scars and preservation of more of the body’s natural structure.
Using specialized surgical tools inserted through small incisions, Dr. Ojeyemi can perform procedures like herniated disc repair and spinal fusion with little disruption to the surrounding muscle and tissue.
Additionally, if imaging studies fail to provide clear answers about your neck pain or back pain, minimally invasive surgery allows us to evaluate the spine with little impact.
Another advantage of the minimally invasive approach to spine surgery is a shorter hospital stay. In many cases, these are outpatient procedures that allow you to go home the same day. In the event that we do need you to stay at the hospital, the visit is brief. We may have you stay to monitor initial recovery and get you started with physical therapy.
Recovery time is a top concern for many people in need of spine surgery and often the reason for putting any procedure off. A faster recovery is one of the reasons our spine surgeons prefer the minimally invasive approach.
Although recovery time varies, you can expect to get back to most of your usual activities sooner following minimally invasive spine surgery than you would after traditional open surgery. Depending on the procedure performed, you may even go back to work within a day or two.
Following your prescribed post-op treatment plan, which may include activity and lifting modifications as well as physical therapy, is key to recovery.
All surgery comes with some level of risk. But with a less invasive approach, we can lower some level of risk. Because incisions are smaller, there’s less blood loss and reduced risk of infection.
A faster recovery also helps you resume your normal activities sooner, benefitting muscle mass and circulation. Maintaining muscle keeps you strong, and improving circulation supports healing.
Minimally invasive spine surgery offers many advantages, and with continued advances in surgical tools and techniques, surgical procedures on the spine get better and safer.
If you’re in need of spine surgery and want to know more about a minimally invasive approach, call Orthopedic & Wellness today at the office nearest you or book an appointment online to consult with our team.
