By opting for minimally invasive spine surgery in Santa Monica, patients can reduce their recovery time, decrease the risk of complications, and experience meaningful relief from back pain. Thanks to advances in technology, minimally invasive procedures are being used in place of traditional approaches to back surgery, helping to alleviate pain from common conditions including:
Degenerative Disc Disease
Typically associated with aging, degenerative disc disease (DDD) requires surgery when the disc deterioration reaches a point where the stability of the spine is affected. DDD may be treated with the following minimally invasive procedures:
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy – The removal of a herniated disc through a small incision in the front of the neck. Sometimes combined with fusion to offer more spinal stability for the patient.
- Microdiscectomy – Performed through a small incision in the mid-line of the low back, disc material affecting a particular nerve root is removed during a microdiscectomy procedure.
Disc Herniation
Often referred to as a slipped disc, a herniated disc only requires surgery when it’s placing pressure on adjacent nerves. Minimally invasive procedures for disc herniation may include:
- Endoscopic Discectomy – A tiny camera is inserted through a small incision to allow for removal of the part of the disc that is pressing on the nerve.
- Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement – The damaged disc is replaced with an artificial disc as an alternative to fusion surgery.
Scoliosis
An abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis) only requires surgery when it results in persistent pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments. Minimally invasive options to realign the spine may include:
- Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion – Normal tissue planes are followed to preserve muscle function and surgery is often done through small incisions on the patient’s side.
- Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy – A triangle of bone from the vertebra is removed to allow the spine to be shifted backwards.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) typically affects the lumbar spine and the cervical spine. When surgery is necessary, decompression is often required to relieve pressure on the spine and related structures. Minimally invasive procedures addressing spinal stenosis may include:
- Lumbar Microdiscectomy – After a small needle is used to locate the affected vertebra, micro-cutters and lasers are used to remove disc material.
- Laser Discectomy – Part of the tissue at the center of disc is vaporized with a laser to reduce the size of the disc, relieving pressure on nerves.
Have other questions about minimally invasive surgery? Perhaps you want to know if you would be a procedure for one of these novel procedures? Call The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration today at (310) 828-7757 and request an in-person consultation.