Not long ago, spine surgery was usually performed via long incisions that allowed doctors to use large, heavy-duty instruments. This technique meant a lot of time spent in the operating room, followed by a lengthy recovery period. Today, minimally invasive spine surgery is changing all of that.
We live in a time of surgical innovation. Minimally invasive procedures are being performed around the globe by experts like neurosurgeon, Mohamed Saleh, MD. These advanced procedures benefit the patient, the operating team and the hospital, due to their greater efficiencies and potential for optimal outcomes.
According to Dr. Saleh, “Minimally invasive spine surgery allows my patients to be in and out of surgery faster and enjoy a shorter, less painful recovery period due to the smaller incision. They are also safer from complications during and after surgery.”
Dr. Saleh explains there are four key benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery.
1. Smaller Surgery Site
State-of-the-art technologies allow doctors to pinpoint exactly where the spinal injury, or affected area, is located before they make an incision. Experienced surgeons like Dr. Saleh can make one or a few small incisions to access the surgery site without damaging surrounding tissue.
2. Less Time Spent in Surgery
By pinpointing the injured area and getting a good idea of what they will encounter before making an incision, doctors can focus on the procedure at hand. This means less time locating the issue and more time fixing it. Dr. Saleh says, “Less time spent in the operating room can translate to minimal blood loss, shorter anesthesia, less surgical pain, faster recovery and lower costs.”
3. A Shorter Recovery Period
Smaller incisions and less-invasive procedures can mean that most patients spend less time in the hospital, or none at all, after their surgery, getting back on their feet quickly after the procedure. Staying active while healing is very important to the healing process, and minimally invasive procedures can allow patients to get moving sooner.
4. Better Outcomes
The goal of minimally invasive surgery is to increase the patient’s ability to return to a healthy and active lifestyle with more than ever achieving their post-surgical goals regarding long-term pain relief and functionality. Dr. Saleh emphasizes the healing benefits post-surgery:
“Since recovery is more comfortable at home and preferred by most patients, minimally invasive surgery allows them to return home the same day or within just 1-2 days, returning to their normal activities sooner too. With traditional surgery, you’re hospitalized for at least 3-5 days and are less mobile for a longer time. A benefit of minimally invasive surgery is getting back to optimal health sooner after the initial problem that caused a patient’s pain has been addressed through surgery.”
Trust the Experts in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
AdventHealth Zephyrhills is here to help you find hope and reach for a more active, pain-free lifestyle. We know surgery is likely not your number one option, so we’ll consider every conservative approach possible first.
If we can’t relieve your pain with therapy, rehabilitation, medications and non-invasive treatments, we offer some of the most advanced spinal surgeries and minimally invasive procedures available to help restore your spine. And, we do it all with compassion caring for you as a whole person.
If you’d like to learn more or make an appointment, click here.
