If you have a painful back condition that can be treated with surgery, you may be wondering what recovery is going to be like. Understandably, this is a major concern of patients considering surgery. Traditionally, back surgeries are performed as open procedures, which means bigger incisions, longer operating times, a higher complication rate, and lengthier recovery periods. Today, many back surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. The most common minimally invasive back ... [Read More]
Spinal Surgery
Who is a candidate for minimally invasive spinal surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) allows surgeons to access the spine through smaller incisions. It is made possible by the use of a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end – called an endoscope – and specialized tools. The endoscopic technique is used to treat patients with complex spine disorders. MISS may be used to treat trauma, spinal tumors, or deformities. Fracture reduction, spinal fusion, laminectomy, and discectomy may be performed using minimally-invasive ... [Read More]
What Should I Ask My Spinal Surgeon Before Undergoing Tumor Surgery?
Spinal tumors can grow inside the spinal canal or the bones that make up the spine. Depending on their type and grade, the tumors may spread to the vertebrae and surrounding tissues. Nonsurgical treatment options—such as medications and radiation therapy—are usually the first-line treatment for spinal tumors. However, if they are ineffective, your spinal surgeon may recommend tumor surgery. Surgeries by their very nature are complex and risky, so it proves prudent to equip yourself with ... [Read More]
Back Surgery and Obesity: What You Need to Know Beforehand
Obesity has long been thought to be a mere cosmetic problem; however, it is deemed by experts as a medical issue associated with a host of medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and chronic back problems. That is to say, every major structure in your body bears the brunt of your excess weight, and among these structures is your spine. Obese patients contemplating surgery to address their chronic back problems have to consider various factors, which have the potential ... [Read More]
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Back Surgery
If you have suffered a back injury or have chronic back pain, your doctor may recommend back surgery to help you finally achieve pain relief. Back surgery is generally a much less serious surgery than it used to be, thanks to more advanced equipment and capabilities which enable your back surgeon to operate only on the injury in question – without causing needless harm to the surrounding tissues. Let’s talk about some of the main benefits and possible risks involved in back surgery, and where ... [Read More]
