Is Minimally Invasive Surgery Right for You?

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You may have seen the ads – happy dog brings his leash to a man sitting in a chair who starts to get up, but sits back down in obvious pain. The dog then goes on his walk with the daughter, while the narrator encourages viewers to stop putting off surgery. (published site)

And maybe it has gotten you to ask whether spine surgery might be right for you. The question is a valid one, and the ad makes it seem as if it is a minor surgery done with lasers needing an incision so small, only a small adhesive bandage is needed.

As with most surgeries, of course it is never as simple as the ads suggest. Contrary to popular belief, lasers are very rarely used in spine surgeries, nevertheless, minimally invasive surgery does have many benefits including a small incision, and you may have wondered if your own condition can be treated with a minimally invasive surgery.

In general, if your back pain is caused by spinal instability, bone spurs, bulging discs, abnormal curvature, or a tumor, you may be eligible for a minimally invasive surgery. As opposed to open spine surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches can be faster, safer and require less recovery time, mostly due to the reduced trauma to the muscles and soft tissues compared to open surgeries.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the number of back pain conditions that can be treated with a small incision currently include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spinal deformities such as scoliosis
• Spinal infections
• Spinal instability
• Vertebral compression fractures
• Spinal Tumors

Eligible candidates for minimally invasive surgery for low back pain should have already tried and failed nonsurgical treatment options and the source of your pain can be pinpointed by your doctor. Even so, surgery may not be right for you. Surgery is not a last resort treatment option "when all else fails." Some patients are simply not candidates for surgery, even though they have significant pain and other treatments have not worked. Some types of chronic low back pain simply cannot be treated with surgery.

At Dr. Michael Gomez, we specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery because of the many patient benefits, however, we are most concerned that you get the best treatment for your condition, your lifestyle and your preferences. We know that the minimally invasive approach is not right for all back pain conditions. We are happy to review your MRI and discuss your options and answer all your questions to ensure you get the best treatment for you.