There are a number of conditions that may necessitate the need for the operation. They include, among others, spinal canal stenosis, prolapsed intervertebral discs and presence of vertebral bony spurs among others. Before undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery long island residents need to understand a number of things on the procedure beforehand.
A proper diagnosis is essential before the operation can be considered. Your doctor will need to take your history which will help them determine the nature and magnitude of your problem. Physical examination is also often necessary. The most useful diagnostic tests are MRI and CT scan images of the spine. The CT scan will help in diagnosis bony problems while the MRI will be the preferred mode if the spinal cord is suspected to be compressed.
The doctor will then explain to you why they think the procedure is necessary and what the anticipated complications are. If you agree to have the surgery then it can be done selectively once you have undergone all the preparations. Part of the preparation may include abstaining from cigarette smoking for sometime and interrupting the use of some medications (such as blood thinners).
The main characteristic of minimally invasive operations is that very small incisions are made. They, therefore, results in less damage to muscle. The main forms of procedures that are undertaken are compression and fusion. Decompression is done when there is a need to minimize compression of spinal nerves. This can be achieved by removing portions of bone or an intervertebral disc.
Decompression is indicated in cases where part of the column is compressing the spinal cord or the spinal roots. Portions of bone may have to be removed for this to be achieved. In fusion on the other hand, several bones are fused together so as to reduce excess movement. This may help with body balance and may also reduce back pain.
There are two main types of anaesthesia that can be used; general and regional. General anaesthesia is used for procedures that are in the chest and neck regions while regionally anaesthesia is used if the problem is below the chest on the vertebral column. The advantage of regional anaesthesia is that one remains awake throughout.
While this operation is fairly safe, it is not devoid of complications. The chances of getting these complications is, however, much lower than with the open technique. Pain is experienced by almost all candidates of the operation but the degree is variable. Fortunately, the pain is minimal and reduces progressively over time except in a few instances. Infections are also a possibility and have to be prevented by use of prophylactic antibiotics. Others include excessive bleeding and nerve injuries.
The time required for a patient to recover from the effects of the operation greatly varies. It is dependent on the exact type of surgery that was done. On average, however, this time is a lot less when compared to the traditional technique. Most of the patients will be allowed home on the same day of the operation. Those who are admitted for observation leave within two days. With the open technique, the average is about five days.
A proper diagnosis is essential before the operation can be considered. Your doctor will need to take your history which will help them determine the nature and magnitude of your problem. Physical examination is also often necessary. The most useful diagnostic tests are MRI and CT scan images of the spine. The CT scan will help in diagnosis bony problems while the MRI will be the preferred mode if the spinal cord is suspected to be compressed.
The doctor will then explain to you why they think the procedure is necessary and what the anticipated complications are. If you agree to have the surgery then it can be done selectively once you have undergone all the preparations. Part of the preparation may include abstaining from cigarette smoking for sometime and interrupting the use of some medications (such as blood thinners).
The main characteristic of minimally invasive operations is that very small incisions are made. They, therefore, results in less damage to muscle. The main forms of procedures that are undertaken are compression and fusion. Decompression is done when there is a need to minimize compression of spinal nerves. This can be achieved by removing portions of bone or an intervertebral disc.
Decompression is indicated in cases where part of the column is compressing the spinal cord or the spinal roots. Portions of bone may have to be removed for this to be achieved. In fusion on the other hand, several bones are fused together so as to reduce excess movement. This may help with body balance and may also reduce back pain.
There are two main types of anaesthesia that can be used; general and regional. General anaesthesia is used for procedures that are in the chest and neck regions while regionally anaesthesia is used if the problem is below the chest on the vertebral column. The advantage of regional anaesthesia is that one remains awake throughout.
While this operation is fairly safe, it is not devoid of complications. The chances of getting these complications is, however, much lower than with the open technique. Pain is experienced by almost all candidates of the operation but the degree is variable. Fortunately, the pain is minimal and reduces progressively over time except in a few instances. Infections are also a possibility and have to be prevented by use of prophylactic antibiotics. Others include excessive bleeding and nerve injuries.
The time required for a patient to recover from the effects of the operation greatly varies. It is dependent on the exact type of surgery that was done. On average, however, this time is a lot less when compared to the traditional technique. Most of the patients will be allowed home on the same day of the operation. Those who are admitted for observation leave within two days. With the open technique, the average is about five days.
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