Minimally Invasive Treatment Options to Heal Your Spine

Surgeon performs laparoscopic surgery on the abdomen. Close-up of a laparoscope and doctor's hands

Minimally invasive spine surgery was created to treat spine conditions as a more stable and less invasive alternative to open surgery. Minimally invasive spine surgery can be performed using traditional instruments, laparoscopically, and without severely injuring surrounding muscles or spinal structures.

Different spine conditions call for specific minimally invasive treatment options. Here are a few minimally invasive procedures offered by the orthopedic experts at Spine Solutions, South Florida’s premier spine care center.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy

This form of treatment, also known as a lumbar micro endoscopic discectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a tubular device. It is designed to relieve pain caused by herniated discs pressing on a patient’s nerve roots. During the procedure, an orthopedic surgeon removes parts of the damaged discs to help ease pressure on the spinal cord. No bones or muscles are removed, and only a small skin incision will need to be made.

Lumbar Interspinous Spacer

Spinal stenosis, which includes cervical and lumbar stenosis, can be treated using minimally invasive spine surgery. The interspinous spacer is the latest technology used to treat and stabilize the affected level. A small incision of about three centimeters is made between the spinous processes at the level of stenosis. The level is decompressed and expanded a few millimeters to free the spinal canal and alleviate nerve and cord pressure. Then, a spacer is inserted between the two spinous processed to keep the space open, and a clamp is inserted to prevent movement at the affected level. The patient usually experiences immediate relief after the one-hour procedure is complete.

SI Joint Fusion

Sacroiliac joint, or SI joint, pain is typically caused by sacroilitis, an inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac joints. Sacroilitis can also be attributed to a previous failed lumbar fusion surgery, a difficult childbearing experience, previous physical trauma, or infection. Sacroilitis can be treated in a number of ways. A physician can inject an anesthetic to the affected area in order to temporarily numb pain or an orthopedic surgeon can perform a new minimally invasive technique called SI joint fusion. No hardware, metal rods, or screws are needed; and just one small incision of about three centimeters is made regardless of bilateral or unilateral pain. The surgeon will use small plugs made of bone to prevent the sacroiliac joints from rubbing together. This procedure is a permanent treatment solution because the joints will ultimately fuse together. An SI joint fusion takes less than 30 minutes to complete, and minimal pain is experienced after the procedure.

At Spine Solutions, we pride ourselves on taking a patient-first approach to treatment that is dedicated to relieving back pain. We offer plenty of minimally invasive options to treat the discomfort or pain that radiates from a patient’s spine. Don’t wait to halt the pain. If you are experiencing upper back pain, lower back, neck pain, numbness in the arm, numbness in the leg, or leg pain, please contact Spine Solutions to schedule a consultation at one of our four South Florida locations.