If minimally invasive spine surgery sounds like the oxymoron of the year, then we have some truly remarkable news for back pain sufferers — there’s nothing oxymoronic about it. In fact, it’s cutting edge stuff.
Neck and back doctors report that more than 26 million Americans between ages 20 and 64 suffer from recurring back pain, and it’s also the leading cause of disability among people under the age of 45. Worldwide, about 1.5 billion people of all ages suffer from chronic pain, most commonly in their neck or back. That makes back pain one of the most common health problems in the world.
Fortunately, that means medical researchers and spinal doctors have poured massive amounts of time and money into researching new methods of dealing with this chronic pain condition, and minimally invasive spine surgery represents an exciting breakthrough in the field.
What are my treatment options? Is minimally invasive spine surgery right for me?
Only a doctor can tell you what causes low back pain, or what treatment is right for you. Many people with severe spinal issues will still require risky open spine surgery; however, many more people will benefit from minimally invasive spine surgery. Doctors say it’s one of the most effective ways of both treating and preventing lower back pain available today. So how does it work?
Rather than performing a normal open spine surgery that requires high risk, large blood loss, and obvious scars, minimally invasive spine surgery only requires “keyhole” micro-incisions, often as small as one quarter of an inch. Not only that, but minimally invasive spine surgery patients are usually in and out of their doctor’s office or hospital on the same day. Plus, they can recover in the comfort of their own home in three to five days.
Of course, any medical procedure still comes with certain risks, but for patients with chronic back pain, minimally invasive spine surgery provides an alternative to more involved surgeries. Just don’t make the mistake of many Web users and remember that Google is not a doctor. Only your physician will know the best way to treat your chronic pain.
