What Is Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery?
For years and years, the traditional method of treating scoliosis pain and deformity has been a more major spinal surgery with nearly as many side effects and risks as benefits. It offered relief, but sometimes at a cost of time and healthy remaining tissue. A new option has been pioneered and has risen in popularity due to the relative ease with which similar results are achieved. Minimally invasive spine surgery promises the same relief to the back and body by correcting some of the scoliosis curvature, but doing so without the tougher side effects and healing times. The expert orthopedic doctors and surgeons at AICA Orthopedics are prepared to help heal your scoliosis pain in whatever way is most appropriate to your specific case.
What Sort of Comparative Benefits Can You Expect to See If You Choose Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery for scoliosis is extremely beneficial for the patient because it allows the surgeon to go in and correct the spine as best they can without creating additional issues.
- The surgical incision required for the procedure is considerably smaller and easier to heal than with traditional spinal surgery. The surgeon generally only needs to make several small cuts in which to insert the surgical instruments, as opposed to the one long cut that runs the length of the area being repaired. Since scarring is a significant component of the wounds left to heal following surgery, many patients are relieved to find that their scarring potential is minimal.
- Beyond the incision site, the surgeon also can forgo the traditional method of entering through the musculature. The older more invasive method requires the surgeon to cut through the muscle to get to the spine, which causes pain, increases the risk of infection, and lengthens healing time. Newer technology called dilation allows the muscles to simply be contracted out of the way of the surgical field, leaving them intact with no need to heal.
- With the two above benefits in mind, it is also important to note that the convenience of smaller incisions and no muscle incisions extend beyond recovery times. The procedure is much safer when blood loss is reduced and fewer incisions are made. The spine is able to be effectively straightened with less risk involved compared to traditional spinal surgery.
- Generally, the most appealing aspect of minimally invasive spinal surgery would certainly be the convenience of the speedy and painless recovery process that ensues following the surgical intervention. Most people are thrilled to find that they can have their spine repaired without signing over the next year of their life to pain and rehabilitation before they experience the results of their surgical procedure.
Who Is Considered to Be a Good Candidate for This Type of Procedure?
Almost anyone who requires spinal surgery to correct or repair their scoliosis is in a more favorable position when they opt for the minimally invasive option. Those who are particularly advantaged by the success of this procedure would be individuals who want to see an improvement in their quality of life relative to their scoliosis pain or range of motion. Sometimes, these more active individuals have sought out therapeutic treatments and even non-traditional techniques to heal pain and improve mobility and flexibility. These individuals might not have seen the results they desired, or they simply might prefer to seek out a more lasting solution than physical therapy and other ongoing treatments.
All this being said, minimally invasive spinal surgery will not be the correct choice for every single case of scoliosis, so it is of vital importance that you consult with your doctor to determine the best possible treatment plan for your specific case and needs. The team of orthopedic specialists at AICA Orthopedics is here to assist you in this process and will work with you to achieve the scoliosis repair results you desperately need to lead the life you wish to. Contact a member of our team today to hear more about this procedure and to schedule an appointment with one of our expert orthopedists.
