Minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery takes a revolutionary approach to traditional spinal surgery. A traditional spinal fusion surgery is a surgical procedure that is done to join 2 or more vertebrae in the spine together. Vertebrae are the small bones that sit on top of each other to make up the spine. A minimally invasive spinal fusion has the same outcome as a traditional spine fusion procedure; however, it is done through a much smaller incision.
Patients will typically have spinal surgery to help eliminate back pain. This can be caused by a number of different conditions such as:
- Disc degeneration
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis
- Fractured vertebrae
Most of the patients that are put forward for minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery will have tried more conservative methods of treatment before. If these treatments have been unsuccessful, then your doctor may put you forward to have surgery.
When having minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery the incision mark will be a lot smaller than normal surgery and the damage to the surrounding muscle is significantly reduced. This helps to aid a quicker recovery and can also reduce the risk of developing certain complications. Although spinal fusion surgery can help to reduce certain complications, it is still important that you are still aware of the risks before you go ahead with the procedure. This includes:
- Infection
- Too much bleeding
- Damage to the nerve
- Blood clots
- An unsuccessful fusion of the bone
Minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery will typically take a few hours. For this procedure, you will be put under a general anaesthetic so that you are asleep and do not feel any pain. Once the surgery starts a small incision mark will be made in your back, the muscle will be carefully moved to one side. Using special tools, the affected vertebrae will be removed, the material will then be put in place of the bone along with screws to hold the different bits of bone in place.
Most patients will spend a few days in hospital after the surgery to ensure that you are recovering well and that it has gone to plan. Some patients will notice an immediate decrease in the back pain that they were previously experiencing, whereas it can take some time for others; either way is fine.
When you return home it is important that you follow the instructions that you were given before leaving the hospital. Most patients will be back to ‘normal’ within 6-8 weeks.
If you would like more information on minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery then please don’t hesitate to contact us
This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.
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