Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Right for You?  

Severe or complex spinal problems such as herniated spinal discs, spine abnormalities, tumors, or spinal stenosis (narrowing) sometimes require surgical treatment. Without surgery, you suffer from chronic back pain, neck pain, or other ongoing and disruptive symptoms. But deciding on spine surgery is still a significant step.

Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Beejal Y. Amin provides minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) from his locations in Hinsdale and Woodridge, Illinois. With MISS, some surgical risks and complications decrease, allowing you to access the treatment you need without much concern. Here’s what you need to know about this cutting-edge approach to spine surgery, and how it can benefit your treatment and condition.

MISS: an alternative to open spine surgery

Traditional open spine surgery involves a large incision, with resulting significant tissue damage and, in some cases, muscle damage as well. MISS utilizes a smaller incision combined with muscle retractors and microscopic imaging. 

During your procedure, Dr. Amin operates using specialized tools that fit through small incisions, which benefits you in several ways. 

By easing muscles aside, rather than cutting them, MISS saves you from one of the most lingering and uncomfortable parts of recovery. The lack of need for a large incision also means that you won’t have a large wound to heal after your procedure, and you can expect minimal scarring moving forward. 

You experience less pain, less bleeding, and less risk of infection immediately after minimally invasive surgery, and generally need a shorter hospital stay than you would after an open spine surgery. These are all reasons why you might opt for this type of treatment.

Is MISS right for you?

Not everyone who needs a spine operation is a good candidate for MISS. Dr. Amin evaluates your condition and provides the best recommendation for you. He may use imaging exams such as X-rays or an MRI to assist in determining your care needs.

MISS allows you to receive the surgical spinal intervention you need, and then get back to work and daily life activities as soon as possible. Dr. Amin still recommends physical therapy for MISS patients, which is a helpful way to expedite your recovery.

MISS patients won’t need heavy pain medication after surgery, which can be a good thing if you’re concerned about side effects or addictive potential.

MISS may be a possible solution for you if you’re affected by a pinched spinal nerve (radiculopathy), pain in your lower back and leg (sciatica), a slipped disc or vertebrae (spondylolisthesis), or degenerative disc disease. Minimally invasive techniques can also assist Dr. Amin in correcting spinal deformation or instability and treating infections.

To learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery and to determine if this type of procedure could be right for you, contact Dr. Amin today. Reach out online or by phone and schedule an appointment now.