Minimally-Invasive Spine Surgery
Our goal is to find the minimally-invasive solution for back and neck pain, numbness and/or weakness. Every case is unique. Some patients get pain relief from conservative spine treatments. Dr. Chris Michael will start with the least invasive treatments for each patient’s condition.
Benefits of minimally-invasive spine techniques
The biggest benefit of minimally-invasive treatment is faster recovery time. The patient misses fewer days of work, experience less pain after the procedure and resume normal activity much faster than with invasive spine surgery. Fortunately, spine treatments have come a long way as patients have more options.
Available minimally-invasive spine treatments
Minimally-invasive treatments may involve physical therapy, steroid injections, core strengthening exercises, and other specialty treatments.
Physical therapy has helped patients get relief from pain or numbness. They do daily exercises to strengthen their core. Patients with an inflamed nerve root may find relief from epidural steroid injections. It allows the nerve to heal and decrease the inflammation causing the pain.
A microdiscectomy is a minimally-invasive spine surgery for a herniated lumbar disc. The patient’s pain comes from the herniated disc pressing on the nerve. So, the surgeon makes a small incision to remove the herniated disc.
If a patient needs a complete or partial removal of a lamina, the surgeon may recommend microlaminectomy or microforaminotomy. The lamina protects the entry of the spinal cord with its thin plate of bone. Surgeons may recommend this minimally-invasive procedure when the patient has bone spurs pressing on the spinal nerves, lumbar spinal stenosis, or herniated lumbar discs.
If the patient’s pain is caused by a narrowed opening where the spinal nerves pass through, a microforaminotomy may be the right option. Whether it’s a minimally-invasive spine procedure depends on the technique used.
When the opening where the spinal nerves pass through gets smaller, it can compress the nerves and cause pain. In this case, a surgeon may recommend a microforaminotomy. This involves enlarging the opening where the spinal nerves pass through to relieve the compression.
You have options. Dr. Chris Michael will spend time with you and tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs. The good news is that most problems don’t require surgery.