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When you need spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) techniques reduce your overall risks and trauma, without losing effectiveness. Read to learn more about how MISS may be able to help you with back pain and other spine issues.
Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Beejal Y. Amin uses the most conservative treatment options possible to address your symptoms of back pain, neck pain, or limb pain related to spinal issues.
Whether you have spinal stenosis or a herniated spinal disc, in some cases, conservative treatments like rest and physical therapy may not do enough to improve your condition. When this happens, you need surgical treatment.
Dr. Amin practices in Oak Lawn, South Holland, and Orland Park, Illinois, and relies on minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) techniques for your procedure whenever he can. Dr. Amin chooses the best approach to ensure that your surgery effectively relieves your symptoms with minimal trauma.
Could MISS be right for you? Here’s what you need to know about this type of spine surgery.
MISS: less trauma, same effectiveness
Traditional open spine surgery involves a large incision with significant trauma to your tissues. More intensive surgery means increased procedure-related risks, and a notably long recovery period.
With MISS, Dr. Amin can surgically intervene around your spine without creating a large incision. Here’s how it works.
Dr. Amin makes a small incision through the skin of your back. Then, he inserts slender tubes, known as retractors, that allow him to manipulate your back muscles. With the retractors, Dr. Amin gently shifts your muscles away from the area of your spine he needs to access for your treatment.
During MISS, Dr. Amin looks at the treatment area with a microscope. Tiny surgical tools enter through the same small incision used for muscle retraction.
When your treatment is complete, Dr. Amin releases your muscles into their usual positions. In this way, your muscles aren’t cut or affected by the spine surgery. That makes recovery, including physical therapy, less intensive after your procedure.
Benefits and effectiveness of MISS
Getting MISS for your spine care needs means that you experience significantly less tissue damage than you would have with traditional open surgery.
As a result, your procedure includes considerably less pain and blood loss and a lower risk of post-surgical infection. You have a shorter hospital stay and experience a more rapid recovery than you would with traditional surgical techniques. Most patients leave the hospital 1-3 days after MISS.
After your MISS procedure, lower pain levels help you avoid taking strong, potentially addictive medications with uncomfortable possible side effects.
The benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery don’t compromise your procedure’s effectiveness. MISS can effectively address back and spine issues, including:
- Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of your spinal canal
- Radiculopathy (a pinched spinal nerve)
- Sciatica pain in your lower back or legs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Slipped or herniated spinal discs
- Infections or tumors
Dr. Amin uses careful examination, medical history review, and medical imaging tests to determine if MISS is the best way to address your spinal care needs.
To learn more about the types of spine surgery that can help you, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Amin at the office in Hinsdale or Woodridge, Illinois. Call now to book, or request an appointment online today.