Spine surgery is rarely an initial treatment for back pain, however, there are a few circumstances that may require surgical treatment. Minimally invasive surgery, also known as “keyhole” surgery, uses a thin, telescope-like instrument known as an endoscope, which is inserted through small incisions. The endoscope is connected to a tiny video camera – smaller than a dime – which projects an “inside” view of the patient’s body onto television screens in the operating room.
Most commonly, doctors will advise at least 3 to 6 months of conservative treatment before considering spine surgery. Examples of complex spine surgeries that have benefited from less invasive techniques include discectomy, spinal fusion, and spinal disc replacement. Our neck and back pain specialists can help you navigate the choices and find the best spine treatment for you.
Minimally invasive spinal surgery is a collection of surgical techniques that allow the spinal problem to be corrected using small surgical incisions. Compared to traditional spine surgery where a long incision is made to retract the muscles and tissues to view the site, minimally invasive spinal procedures create a smaller opening and are less damaging to the muscles and other soft tissues around the spine.
Also, a quicker recovery from surgery is anticipated with minimally invasive surgery. Other advantages of minimally invasive spinal surgery include:
compared to open spine surgery.
The spine specialists at NSPC (NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery (NSPC)) employ minimally invasive spinal techniques, including stereotactic radiosurgery, for a number of conditions:
Competent minimally invasive back and neck surgery demands skilled use of specialized surgical equipment; thus NSPC’s minimally invasive spine surgeons have extensive education to become adept in these minimally invasive techniques.
Often minimally invasive spinal procedures can be carried out in an afternoon and are considered outpatient. More complex minimally invasive procedures may demand more careful monitoring, require a longer recovery time, and are completed in a hospital setting.
The first-rate surgeons at NSPC are skilled in a wide range of minimally invasive surgical techniques:
Minimally invasive spine surgery techniques have been used as part of a number of common back surgery procedures:
NSPC, a private practice of leading neurosurgeons, offers state-of-the-art spine surgery. NSPC has medical centers in Long Island and the New York region. Contact us to talk with a spine specialist, and discover how minimally invasive spine surgery can help you.
For over 50 years & 350,000 patients NSPC has been a trusted global medical leader.
Contact us today for an appointment or consultation.