It's hard to believe that not too long ago, spine surgery was typically performed via a long incision that allowed doctors to use large, heavy-duty instruments and tools to fix the problem.
This technique often resulted in extensive time spent in the operating room followed by a lengthy, difficult healing period. But fortunately for you, today that's no longer the norm in spine surgery.
Thanks to surgical innovation, minimally invasive procedures are being performed around the globe by experts like our spine care team at AdventHealth. These advanced procedures have lots of benefits, including reducing your operation and healing time to get you back on your feet and living life to the fullest faster.
Here are four quick facts about minimally invasive surgery that you may not know, and ways it could be the treatment you need to feel whole again.
Smaller Surgery Site
State-of-the-art technology allows doctors to pinpoint exactly where your injury or affected area is located in your spine before any incisions are made. Thoroughly trained doctors make a few small incisions to access the surgery site without damaging any of your surrounding bones or tissue. In turn, this smaller operating field results in fewer scars and other benefits during the surgery and recovery process.
Less Time Spent in Surgery
By pinpointing the injured area and getting a good idea of what they will encounter before making any incisions, doctors are able to focus primarily on the procedure at hand. This means spending less time trying to locate the problem, and more time getting the job done. This is beneficial to you because less time spent in the operating room can translate to less cost to you, your insurance and the hospital where the procedure is being performed.
Shorter Recovery Period
Small incisions and less-invasive procedures can mean that you're are able to stay in the hospital for less time after their surgery and get back on your feet sooner. Staying active while healing is very important to the healing process, and minimally invasive procedures can allow you to get moving and back to your daily life sooner.
Potential of Better Outcomes
Of course, the ultimate goal of minimally invasive techniques is to increase the patient's ability to return to a healthy and active lifestyle. Thanks to the huge strides being made in this field by experts like our specialists at AdventHealth, more patients like you are achieving their post-surgical goals with regard to long-term pain relief and functionality.
Learn more about our spine care services and minimally invasive surgical procedures on our website.
