Spine surgery is an incredibly common and effective treatment for many types of back pain. It is also known as minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS). The term minimally invasive implies that there is minimal invasion of the surrounding area. Older methods, called open spine surgery, typically required a five to six inch incision and a month in the hospital. You can learn more at Back Surgery Specialist

This procedure removes a herniated disc, a bulging disc that presses against a nerve root. Alternatively, it may also involve the enlargement of a bone hole in the area where a nerve root was damaged. Minimally invasive surgery has several advantages, including the reduction of spinal pressure and preserving nerve function.

In minimally invasive spine surgery, a thin, flexible tube is passed through the body to access the spine. It is designed to avoid cutting through the muscles, while still allowing the surgeon to see the affected area. The surgeon may use a microscope or endoscope to view the underlying structures. Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon can remove the tubular retractor.

Another type of surgery is spinal fusion. This treatment is used to treat back and neck pain if a vertebra is no longer supporting the spine or is damaged beyond repair. The surgeon will remove the damaged vertebra and leave a gap between the remaining vertebrae. After surgery, the patient will feel relief from back and neck pain.

Before and after spinal fusion, patients may be prescribed medications to help manage pain. A patient may take several months for the fusion to solidify. In the meantime, the patient will be taught how to sit, stand, and walk again. Once the procedure is complete, the patient is usually able to return home.

There are many different types of spinal fusion surgery. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is one of the most common. It uses a retractor to pull the lamina, allowing the surgeon to access the disc space. The surgeon will then insert a cage or graft of bone into the disc space. Ultimately, the new disc will fuse with the surrounding vertebrae, providing stability.

A spinal surgeon with more experience reduces the risks of surgical complications and infection. Patients usually have a shorter hospital stay and less risk of revision surgery. A board-certified surgeon also ensures optimal care and outcomes. The procedure can also improve a patient’s quality of life. A successful spinal surgery can increase your activity level.

The surgery is typically performed to relieve pain and improve mobility. Lumbar decompression surgery is often used to correct conditions such as spinal stenosis. The surgery can also help relieve symptoms of leg pain, weakness, and even a disability in walking. While it’s important to understand that any spinal surgery carries some risk, it is generally safer for healthy, non-smokers, and those with good physical fitness.

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) involves a smaller incision than traditional open spine surgery. The patient has less pain and recovery time, but the surgeon must learn the new procedure more thoroughly.