What Back Ailments Can Be Treated With Minimally Invasive Surgery and What Are the Advantages?

If you’ve been told you may need back surgery, it’s natural to feel worried and anxious. The good news is that many spinal conditions can now be treated with minimally invasive techniques that require much smaller incisions and less disruption to surrounding tissues.

At Seattle Spine Institute in Seattle, Washington, our experienced spine specialists routinely diagnose and treat pain caused by a range of back ailments. Many of these conditions can be handled using minimally invasive surgery. Here’s what we want you to know about how your surgery and recovery can be less traumatic for your body and faster to heal than traditional surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery for the spine

Minimally invasive spine surgery isn’t right for every patient, but it has become an effective option for many common back problems.

Some of the conditions that may be treated with minimally invasive procedures include:

• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica caused by nerve compression
• Certain spinal fractures, such as sacral fractures
• Some cases of spondylolisthesis 

The goals are the same as traditional surgery: relieve pressure on nerves, stabilize the spine when needed, and reduce pain. The difference is how the surgeon reaches the affected area.

Instead of making a large incision and manually moving significant amounts of muscle out of the way, specialized instruments and imaging technology allow the surgeon to work through much smaller openings. This approach is designed to reduce trauma to healthy tissue.

Benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery

One of the biggest benefits is a potentially faster recovery. Because less muscle and soft tissue are disturbed during surgery, many patients experience less postoperative pain and a quicker return to normal activities.

Other potential advantages include:

• Smaller incisions
• Less blood loss during surgery
• Reduced risk of infection
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster return to work and daily activities

Every patient is different. The best surgical approach depends on your diagnosis, overall health, and treatment goals. We’ll complete a full examination and consult with you about your various treatment options.

If chronic back or leg pain is limiting your daily life and conservative treatments haven’t provided enough relief, a consultation with a spine specialist can help determine whether minimally invasive surgery may be an option for you.

Contact our Seattle, Washington, office to schedule an appointment today by calling 206-322-1765 or contact us online.