Most back and neck pain patients prefer non-surgical treatment options like medications to relieve pain related to spinal conditions. However, some conditions are beyond medication and physical therapy, forcing you to undergo surgical treatment. The good thing with surgical procedures is that your surgeon may either suggest an open surgery or a minimally invasive option. Spinal conditions experts specialize in various treatment options, including kyphoplasty, to help relieve their patients from the debilitating symptoms. minimally invasive surgery in Ionia is steadily gaining fame as an ideal alternative to open surgery, helping patients live comfortably. Thanks to the treatments’ benefits like reduced downtime, you will no longer spend several months in recovery.

Why would your surgeon recommend a minimally invasive procedure?

A frustrating back pain preventing you from living your everyday life does not necessarily need open surgery. However, the medical professional might recommend surgery, especially when you have back pain that fails to resolve with other treatments like physical therapy. The spinal conditions likely to benefit from minimally invasive spine surgery include:

• A herniated disc

Also referred to as a ruptured or slipped disc, a herniated disc occurs when the gel-like substance (nucleus pulposus) in your disc sips through the outer layer (annulus fibrosus). The gel-like material will cause you pain and inflammation if it spreads, pressing on a nearby nerve.

• Sciatica

Your sciatic nerve is the most extensive in your entire body, stretching from your lower back to your buttock before extending to the areas near your knee and foot. Therefore, the condition refers to the disabling symptoms you are likely to have when bone spurs compress the sciatic nerve. Sciatica mostly affects one side of your body, causing a tingling or numbing sensation below your knee.

• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

DDD primarily affects the intervertebral discs in your neck and lower back. Though the condition is not a preserve for a particular age, you are likely to develop DDD because of age-related issues that cause wear and tear on your discs. The degeneration causes the discs to lose their structural elasticity, flexibility, and strength, making you susceptible to issues like herniated discs.      

• Spinal stenosis

The condition that will mostly affect you if you are an older adult happens when bone spurs compress a nearby nerve or your spinal cord, narrowing your spinal canal or nerve passageways.

• Vertebral compression fracture (VCF)

VCF is a common form of spinal fracture resulting from trauma or osteoporosis. One of the primary signs you are likely to have with VCF is a sudden, sharp pain that is severe.  

• Spinal deformities

Deformities like scoliosis, characterized by spinal curves, vary in shapes and sizes. The normal curvature of your spine gives you balance. However, your spinal alignment, flexibility, and balance will be significantly affected when the spinal deformities cause abnormal curves.

• Spondylolisthesis

The spinal condition happens when a vertebra slides over another in your lumbar spine. Whether the slip is mild or severe, pain and numbness are common symptoms you are likely to have. Other conditions that might prompt your surgeon to suggest a minimally invasive spinal surgery include spinal infections and tumors.

Contact your doctor to know if you qualify for a minimally invasive treatment to help address your neck and lower back pain.