Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery: Is This An Option For You?

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression Candidates

If you find yourself heading down the road to spinal surgery, you might want to consider choosing a minimally invasive surgical technique instead of traditional back surgery. The best way to determine if it is, or is not, the right fit for you, is through consultation with a qualified surgeon. But here are some conditions that typically have positive outcomes with this type of surgery:

• Herniated disc (bulged disc)
• Spondylolisthesis (slipped disc in the lower back)
• Spinal stenosis (pinched nerves due to narrowing in the spine)

This list is not fully inclusive as there are many other factors such as age, health risks, and your specific conditions and history that will have an impact on what option your surgeon chooses for you.

Benefits of Lumbar Decompression Surgery

Minimally invasive spinal surgery offers up some clear advantages over an open surgery such as:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery Has Shorter Recovery Times. Numerous reasons contribute to this benefit, but one of the biggest is that this technique allows the surgeon to work around the muscles during your operation. They are essentially moved to the side, as opposed to being cut and reattached.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery Has Lower Postoperative Complications. Shorter time spent under anesthesia, less time spent in the surgical centre, and less tissue and muscle disruption mean that, in general, this type of spinal surgery creates fewer disruptions to your body; the fewer the less you need to recover from. Because the incisions are smaller you will also have a reduced likelihood of infection.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery Leaves Smaller Scars. Because doctors are able to enter the body through small holes with very small cameras and tools, as opposed to cutting a length of the skin to access the spine, minimally invasive surgery will leave you with little to no scarring post-op.

Experienced Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons in Kelowna

Regardless of which option you choose, an experienced surgeon who can complete your lumbar decompression surgery will without a doubt, bring about many positive changes as you journey down the path to reduced back pain and the ability to enjoy your activities again.

The team at Okanagan Health Surgical Centre specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgeries. Located in Kelowna, British Columbia, this state-of-the-art surgical centre has been helping patients get back on their feet, pain-free, for over twenty years. For a lumbar decompression, surgery consultation fill out the form below or call our team at (250) 868-9799 

FAQs

Is Lumbar Decompression Surgery safe?

This type of spinal surgery is a safe and common operation that will help to relieve pressure (compression) on the nerves along the spine. It can be completed as a traditional, open surgery or as a minimally invasive spinal surgery which has even less risk associated with it.

What causes Lumbar Compression?

This compression in the back can happen for any number of reasons from degenerative disease, spinal injury, or wear and tear over the years.

Is Spinal Surgery a good option for me?

Back surgery might be a good option for you if you have tried other more conservative treatments with no success. You will typically be a good candidate if you have consistent pain that interferes with your life. If you are thinking about heading down the road to surgery, a good starting point is to book a consultation with a qualified surgeon from our team at Okanagan Health Surgical.