Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) refers to an alternative solution to traditional open surgical procedures performed to treat spinal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, scoliosis, and spinal stenosis. A minimally invasive spine surgery offers many potential benefits, such as small incisions, less cutting through soft tissues (e.g., ligaments, muscles), outpatient options, less postoperative pain, and speedy recovery.
The MISS procedure gained popularity due to the following reasons:
- It offers better aesthetic results from smaller skin incisions (sometimes as small as several millimeters)
- Less blood loss from surgery
- Minimal risk of muscle damage, since less or no cutting of the muscle, is required
- Reduced risk of infection and postoperative pain
- Speedy recovery from surgery and less rehabilitation required
- Reduced reliance on pain medications after surgery
Our spine surgeon in Mumbai recommends spine surgery after performing a thorough examination and medical evaluation of the patient.
When does the doctor recommend the MISS procedure?
The indications for minimally invasive spine surgery are the same as those for traditional open surgery. Spine surgery is often recommended only when a period of nonsurgical treatment such as medications and physical therapy fails to offer relief from the painful symptoms caused by your back problem. Besides, surgery is preferred only when your doctor pinpoints the exact source of your pain, such as a herniated disk or spinal stenosis
What is the goal of spine surgery?
Irrespective of whether the doctor recommends minimally invasive or open surgery, the two goals remain the same, which includes:
Decompression:
Spinal decompression involves removing tissue compressing nerve structures, such as a spinal nerve root or the spinal cord. Bone spurs and fragments from a herniated disc are examples of tissues that can cause neural compression.
Stabilization:
Abnormal movement of one or more levels or segments of the spine can cause back or neck pain. Spinal instrumentation and fusion are surgical procedures that stabilize and stop the spine’s movement to relieve the pain.
What are the spinal disorders treated by MISS?
Degenerative disc disease (DDD):
It usually develops gradually in older people affecting their spine’s intervertebral disc. Normal cellular age-related changes in the body can cause discs to stiffen, lose flexibility, strength, height, and shape. The ability to absorb and distribute forces associated with movement also gets disrupted. These structural changes may increase the risk for a herniated disc.
Herniated discs
A herniated disc, commonly known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc occurs when the gel-like inner core of an intervertebral disc breaks through the protective outer layer of the disc. Besides the damaged disc, the interior gel irritates and inflames nearby spinal nerves and causes back pain.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideward curve of the spine that may increase the risk for progressive spinal deformity. A scoliotic curve may look like an “S” or “C.” Most scoliosis cases have no known cause—and while the condition is mostly associated with children, adults may develop scoliosis, too
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs due to compressed spinal nerve roots and the spinal cord. The nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and exit via the spinal canal through passageways called neuroforamen. Nerve and spinal cord compression can cause pain, weakness, tingling sensations, and numbness, if left untreated. Sometimes, pain and symptoms travel into the arms or legs, which require immediate medical intervention.
To know more about spine surgery and surgical options, get in touch with our spine surgeon in Malad, Mumbai.