When your back pain doesn’t respond to conservative measures, such as medication and physical therapy, you may need minimally invasive spinal surgery. As an orthopedic surgeon, Drew Brown IV, MD, in Tampa, Florida, is an expert at performing minimally invasive spinal surgeries that alleviate pain and restore function for a variety of spinal conditions. To find out if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive spinal surgery, contact Dr. Brown’s office by phone or request an appointment online today.
Traditional open surgery uses large incisions through which your doctor accesses your spinal column to repair issues that cause you pain and limit your mobility. In contrast, minimally invasive surgery uses one or more small incisions, through which Dr. Brown inserts a miniature camera and highly flexible and tiny surgical tools.
Dr. Brown watches the operation on a screen that magnifies the operating plane in full-color, 3-D images. He uses a specialized tool called a tubular retractor to hold aside gently any muscles or other tissues that may obscure the operating field. Then he inserts the flexible and tiny surgical tools through the retractor. The small size of the surgical instruments creates less trauma than traditional instruments that are directly manipulated by the hands.
Because the incisions and instruments used in minimally invasive spinal surgery are so small, the trauma to your body and surrounding tissues is less severe than in open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery causes less blood loss, too. Other advantages include shorter hospital stays, faster healing times, and quicker periods of recovery.
Dr. Brown treats most spinal conditions that need surgery with minimally invasive approaches. He uses minimally invasive surgery to correct or remove:
Some procedures he performs using minimally invasive spine surgery include:
The minimally invasive approach is typically better at controlling pain in the long term.
After minimally invasive surgery, you need to stay in the hospital for one to two days; with traditional surgery, you might have to stay as long as five days. Dr. Brown recommends starting physical therapy while you’re in the hospital to aid with recovery. Physical therapy teaches you how to move safely and strengthens the muscles and tendons that support your spine so you can return to your normal activities.
To find out if minimally invasive surgery can control your pain and restore your mobility, contact Dr. Brown by calling his office or using the online booking tool.
