Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery aims to treat spinal conditions without damaging the tissues and muscles near the surgical site. Using specialized instruments and tiny incisions, the Pioneer Peak Orthopedics team can carefully and gently access vital areas, ensuring:

• Lower risk of infection
• Less bleeding during surgery
• Reduced scarring and better cosmetic results
• Quicker recovery
• Reduced post-surgery need for pain medications

Pioneer Peak Orthopedics strives to provide the best possible treatment options for patients, and when surgical intervention is necessary, minimally invasive spine surgery represents the highest standard of care.

What does minimally invasive spine surgery treat?

The skilled surgeons at Pioneer Peak Orthopedics may use this technique to address a wide range of spinal conditions, including:

• Herniated discs
• Spinal instability
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal fractures
• Kyphosis
• Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis)
• Facet joint arthritis
• Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)

The Pioneer Peak Orthopedics team carefully evaluates your condition to recommend the best procedure for your care. If conservative, nonsurgical treatments don’t meet your needs, surgery works to repair the underlying problem.

What can I expect during minimally invasive spine surgery?

Before your surgery, you may need to stop taking specific medications, like blood thinners, and avoid smoking, which can slow your healing. The team may also take X-rays of the area.

Depending on the type of surgery, the team may administer local or general anesthesia before making a small incision. Your surgeon inserts tiny surgical instruments to perform your surgery, gently pushing muscle and other tissues aside instead of cutting through them. Once complete, they close and bandage the incision site.

Pioneer Peak Orthopedics also has specialized equipment to perform robotic spine surgery, allowing for unmatched precision and a delicate touch.

What will my recovery be like after minimally invasive spine surgery?

After surgery, you’ll rest under observation in a recovery area. Depending on the type of anesthesia your surgery requires, you may feel groggy for a while. While minimally invasive surgery is much easier on your body than traditional open surgery, it’s normal to be uncomfortable and need some downtime to recover.

The team gives you detailed post-surgical instructions, including how to care for your incision, and schedules follow-up appointments. If you’re in doubt about whether an activity is safe for you, wait for your provider to give the go-ahead.

Call Pioneer Peak Orthopedics today to learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery.