It is well understood that spine surgery is a treatment option most patients tend to avoid. This is due to the decision behind surgery being such an overwhelming choice to make. It is a decision that factors in a patient’s lifestyle, prior medical history, and the severity of their condition. Surgery will become a consideration as a last resort option. Only if conservative treatment options do not provide the necessary relief will your doctor recommend spine surgery.
BEST understands that surgery is a big decision to make. We are strong believers in patient education and feel it is just as necessary as the treatment a patient will receive. An educated patient is the most apt to make a decision such as surgery as they have an in-depth understanding of their condition and the procedure they have been recommended for.
What is Traditional Surgery
Traditional surgery is also known as open spine surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon will use a scalpel to access the surgical site. Typically a large incision is used. The incision will be large enough to fit the surgeon’s hands and instruments inside the body. This allows the surgeon to touch the organ protrusion during the procedure.
This form of surgery is highly invasive and typically requires an overnight hospital stay. The recovery time and risk for complications are also increased during traditional surgery.
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
With the surge in technical advancements minimally invasive procedures have become the norm. Through the use of advanced instrumentation, a surgeon can work on areas of the body without the need for a large incision.
Minimally invasive has several advantages over traditional spine surgery. A minimally invasive procedure will use a much smaller incision than traditional surgery. The benefits of this include shorter recovery time, less risk of complication, and it eliminates the need for an overnight hospital stay. It is also common among patients to feel less pain after minimally invasive surgery. In addition, patients can expect a much smaller scar from the surgery.
Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery
There are a variety of minimally invasive procedures and more are being developed as this technology advances. Here are a few examples of minimally invasive procedures:
- Knee Arthroscopy
- Elbow and Wrist Arthroscopy
- Partial Hip Replacement
Which is More Beneficial
Minimally invasive surgery is a much more effective and safer alternative to traditional surgery. However, there are some instances where a patient has no choice but to undergo traditional spine surgery instead of minimally invasive. This is because not every patient is a suitable candidate for minimally invasive surgery. Each case varies and complications in certain individuals make traditional surgery a better option.
It is important to consult with your doctor to determine which type of surgery is best for the condition you have. The ultimate goal of spine surgery is to relieve painful symptoms.
How BEST Can Help
Patients at BEST Health System have access to various conservative treatment options. We offer physical therapy, orthotics, and nutritional services. In addition to conservative treatment, we do all-out imaging on-site. Our state-of-the-art facilities are all-inclusive and capable of running diagnostic imaging including x-rays, MRI, and CT scans.
If you require surgery, BEST offers minimally invasive options performed by our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Girton and Dr. Abbott. The incision for minimally invasive surgery is typically less than an inch and a majority of patients who undergo surgery with BEST are walking within hours.
If you would like to learn more about what BEST has to offer, feel free to reach out to us today!
