At California Pacific Orthopaedics, our goal is to get you back to your active life with as little disruption as possible. For many of our patients in the San Francisco Bay Area suffering from back and neck pain, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) offers a revolutionary alternative to traditional “open” surgery. This advanced approach uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to treat a variety of spinal conditions, often resulting in less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to the activities you love.
Overview: A Gentler Approach to Spine Health
Think of traditional spine surgery as making a long incision to open a door widely. Minimally invasive spine surgery, on the other hand, is like looking through a keyhole and using special tools to fix what’s broken on the other side. By making one or more small incisions, sometimes less than an inch long, our surgeons can access the spine without causing extensive damage to the surrounding muscles and tissues.
This is made possible through the use of advanced technology, including:
- Fluoroscopy: A type of real-time X-ray that allows your surgeon to see your spine during the procedure.
- Endoscopy: A tiny camera that provides a magnified view of the surgical area.
- Tubular Retractors: Small tubes that gently separate muscle fibers rather than cutting through them, creating a narrow tunnel to the spine.
These tools allow our surgeons to perform complex procedures with remarkable precision, leading to a host of benefits for our patients.
Why is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Performed?
Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive spine surgery if you have a spinal condition that hasn’t responded to more conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, or injections. MISS can be used to treat a wide range of problems, including:
- Herniated Discs: When the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer, it can press on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. This is sometimes called a “slipped” or “ruptured” disc.
- Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can lead to pain, cramping, or numbness in the legs, back, neck, or arms.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: The gradual wear and tear of spinal discs as we age, which can cause pain and instability.
- Scoliosis: An abnormal sideways curvature of the spine.
- Spondylolisthesis: A condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the one below it.
- Vertebral Compression Fractures: Small breaks in the bones of the spine, often caused by osteoporosis.
- Spinal Tumors: Abnormal growths that can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
At California Pacific Orthopaedics, our team of experienced spine specialists will work with you to determine if minimally invasive surgery is the right choice for your specific condition and lifestyle.
What to Expect: Your Journey to a Healthier Spine
Undergoing any type of surgery can be a daunting experience. At California Pacific Orthopaedics, we are committed to providing you with the information and support you need to feel confident and prepared every step of the way.
Before the Procedure
Once you and your surgeon have decided that minimally invasive spine surgery is the best course of action, you will be given a set of instructions to follow in the days and weeks leading up to your procedure. This may include:
- Medical Evaluation: You will likely need a physical exam and may undergo tests such as blood work, an EKG, and a chest X-ray to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery.
- Medication Review: You will need to discuss all medications and supplements you are taking with your doctor. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a period of time before surgery.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: If you smoke, you will be strongly advised to quit, as smoking can interfere with the healing process. You may also be encouraged to eat a healthy diet and engage in light exercise to prepare your body for surgery.
- Planning for Recovery: You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital and help you with daily activities for the first few days after your surgery.
During the Procedure
Minimally invasive spine surgery is performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. On the day of your surgery:
- Anesthesia: You will be given anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. This may be general anesthesia, where you are asleep, or regional anesthesia, where a specific part of your body is numbed.
- The Incision: Your surgeon will make one or more small incisions over the affected area of your spine.
- Accessing the Spine: Using specialized instruments, such as tubular retractors, your surgeon will gently separate the muscles to create a small tunnel to your spine.
- The Repair: Through this tunnel, your surgeon will use small instruments and a camera or microscope to perform the necessary repairs, such as removing a herniated disc or fusing vertebrae together.
- Closing the Incision: Once the procedure is complete, the instruments will be removed, and the small incisions will be closed with sutures and surgical glue and covered with a small bandage.
After the Procedure
One of the major advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery is a faster and less painful recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
- Hospital Stay: Many patients are able to go home the same day or after a short hospital stay of one to two days.
- Pain Management: You will likely experience some pain or discomfort after surgery, but it is typically less severe than with open surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help you manage any discomfort.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is a crucial part of the recovery process. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to help you regain strength, flexibility, and mobility.
- Returning to Activities: Most patients are able to return to light activities within a few weeks of surgery. You will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a period of time, as directed by your surgeon. Your doctor will let you know when it is safe to return to work, driving, and other activities.
The team at California Pacific Orthopaedics is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. From your initial consultation to your final follow-up appointment, we will be there to guide you through every step of your journey to a healthier, pain-free life. If you are living with back or neck pain in the San Francisco area, contact us today to learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery and to find out if it is the right option for you.
