Back to Normal: How Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Can Resolve Pain and Restore Mobility

The spine is a crucial part of your body. It serves as a pillar of support and a pathway for essential nerves. However, when back pain strikes, it can hinder even the strongest person, making simple tasks seem like herculean feats. 

Medical advancements, particularly spinal surgery, have transformed how we address such conditions, bringing relief and restoring mobility to countless people. 

In Tampa, Florida,  Dr. Phillip Henkin and our team of highly skilled and dedicated spine specialists have been successful in helping patients regain their health and quality of life with minimally invasive spinal surgery. 

Here Dr. Henkin breaks down what minimally invasive spinal surgery is and the benefits you stand to gain. 

What is minimally invasive spinal surgery?

Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) is an innovative approach to treating spinal disorders. Unlike traditional open surgery, involving a long incision and considerable muscle disruption, MISS uses advanced technology to perform surgery through small incisions. 

We use specialized instruments and imaging techniques to visualize and work on the spine with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.

A key instrument in MISS is the tubular retractor. This device creates a small tunnel to the precise area needing treatment, holding muscles apart rather than cutting through them. This procedure reduces muscle damage, significantly decreasing post-operative pain and speeding up recovery.

Different types of minimally invasive spinal surgeries

While minimally invasive spinal surgery is an overarching term, several procedures fall under this category. Each procedure has its use.

Discectomy

In a discectomy, we remove a portion of the disc pressing on the nerve root or spinal cord to relieve pain and allow for better mobility. 

Spinal decompression

Spinal decompression reduces pressure on compressed nerve roots, relieving pain and discomfort. In this procedure, we remove a small portion of the bone or disc material under the nerve root to give the nerve more room.

Spinal fusion

Spinal fusion involves joining two or more vertebrae so they heal into a single, solid bone. This procedure is effective in treating conditions like degenerative disc disease. 

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty 

We use these procedures to treat vertebral compression fractures usually caused by osteoporosis. In these procedures, we inject medical-grade cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize it, significantly reducing pain.

Benefits of minimally invasive spinal surgery

The advantages of MISS are transformative, both for the medical field and the patients who undergo these procedures. Here are a few key benefits:

Less pain and quicker recovery

By minimizing muscle disruption, patients typically experience less post-operative pain and require fewer pain medications. The recovery time is also drastically shortened, with many returning to normal activities within weeks.

Reduced risk of infection and complications

Smaller incisions mean less exposure, reducing the risk of post-operative infections and complications.

Preservation of spinal mobility

Traditional open surgeries often involve the fusion of spinal segments, which can limit mobility. MISS techniques usually avoid fusion and preserve spinal movement.

Outpatient procedures

Many MISS procedures are outpatient, meaning you can return home on the same day of your surgery.

Potential risks

Despite its advantages, like all surgical procedures, MISS carries potential risks, including bleeding, infection, nerve injury, and anesthesia-related problems. However, at NeuroSpine Center, our surgeons are highly trained to minimize these risks, and most MISS procedures are performed successfully without complications.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery is not just a medical procedure — it's a pathway to a normal, pain-free life. NeuroSpine Center is committed to innovation and patient-centered care, making us the go-to destination for those needing expert spine health solutions. Book an appointment online today or call 813-534-4945.