What Is Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery?
This type of surgery uses arthroscopy to treat spinal issues. An arthroscope is a long tube-like device with a tiny camera and light on one end. Doctors insert an arthroscope at the surgery site, and it provides images that help guide the surgery.
Why Is It Done?
Minimally invasive surgeries can be used for a variety of spinal procedures, including these:
Prior to your procedure, you will receive a list of pre-operative instructions, which will include how long to refrain from eating and drinking and what medications you should temporarily stop taking. You will meet with your surgeon so you can discuss any concerns or questions you have.
What to Expect
In most cases, you will have a local anesthetic. Your surgeon will make a tiny incision at the site of the problem and insert the artrhoscope. Your surgeon will watch the monitor and refer to the images that the camera is providing. Small surgical instruments are passed through other tiny incisions so the surgeon can make the repair or other adjustment that's needed. Afterward the incisions are closed with stitches.
Minimally invasive spine surgery offers many benefits over traditional surgery. Among them are faster recovery time, shorter hospital stays, less pain, less blood loss, and a few tiny scars instead of one big one. Learn more about BayCare's Spine Care Centers:
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