Advanced spine surgery versus conventional surgery

Unfortunately, spinal problems are something that many of us have to deal with. The causes are very diverse and an operation is not always necessary. There are cases in which, yes, surgery is a great help and in addition, thanks to advanced spine surgery it no longer has to be a major disruption in our lives. We tell you the advantages that non-invasive surgery entails.

What is advanced spine surgery?

Words "Colunm surgery” can be scary, and no one likes having back surgery. With the advancement of science and appropriate methods, we will see that the complications of these procedures are greatly reduced.

Advanced surgery is, simply, an alternative to traditional surgery. The most notable thing is that it is a minimally invasive surgery, that is, the techniques are adapted to minimize the impact of the operation on the tissues.

spinal endoscopy, for example, with which you can treat herniated discs and canal stenosis, uses a camera and millimeter optics.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery has a large number of advantages over conventional surgery.

One of the main advantages of the endoscopic spine surgery is that the incisions are reduced to the essential minimum and, with them, the damage to the tissues.

 Among them, how incisions and tissue damage are reduced, as well as bleeding, pain, hospital stays, and the narcotic medications we must take.  Recovery from advanced spine surgery It is also faster.

What back problems can be treated with advanced surgery?

The back problems that can be treated with advanced surgery include herniated discs, canal stenosis, vertebral fractures, rhizolysis and kyphoplasties

Advanced surgery for lumbar disc herniation

A lumbar disc herniation occurs when the nucleus of a damaged intervertebral disc shifts. Sometimes it presses on a nearby nerve, which can cause acute pain. This can occur throughout the entire spine. Most patients improve with conservative treatments, but some cases require surgery.

Endoscopy in canal stenosis

Canal stenosis occurs when the canal narrows through which the spinal cord and its nerve roots pass.

If a nerve is compressed, symptoms such as failure in the legs to walk and pain in the extremities occur.

Treatment may vary, depending on the severity of the stenosis. If medications and physical therapy do not help or the symptoms are severe, then surgery for canal stenosis is considered.

There are multiple causes, although the most common is wear caused by osteoarthritis. Trauma to the spine caused by accident, the appearance of tumors or thickened ligaments can also lead to stenosis.

Symptoms of stenosis They can take a while to appear and progress gradually. They include: tingling and weakness in the extremities, neck pain and, in severe cases, urinary and bowel incontinence.

What is the herniated disc operation like?

The spinal endoscopy for herniated disc is a minimally invasive surgery, with an incision less than a centimeter.

The spinal canal is explored using high-definition optics that also provide a light source. The endoscopic camera is connected to a high-definition monitor, from which the specialist observes the patient's spine.

When should a herniated disc be operated on?

Most of the herniated disc They are reabsorbed by themselves, so conservative treatment, based on analgesics and rehabilitation, is the most common.

If the pain is very intense or persists over time, the hernia prevents the mobility of any limb or cauda equina syndrome occurs (the roots that go down to the sphincter are compressed, causing urinary incontinence), will assess the need for spinal surgery.

Is herniated disc surgery dangerous?

Herniated disc surgery is safe, although, like any other operation, it is not without risks. It is important to go to an experienced professional. In the case of the minimally invasive surgery The results are equally promising, but the risk is also reduced: the damage to the tissues is minimal, there is a lower risk of infections and subsequent complications due to spinal instability.

How long does herniated disc surgery last?

The advanced spinal endoscopy It has two phases:

• In the first, the patient is anesthetized and placed in the appropriate position, then radiological procedures are used to decide the entry point of the endoscopic camera and the operation procedure. It lasts about 30 minutes.
• In the second phase, the incision is made, the endoscope is introduced and the hernia is treated. Sometimes stem cells are also implanted. This procedure usually takes about 45 minutes.

What is recovery like after an advanced spinal endoscopy?

Compared to conventional surgery, in which times are longer, after advanced spine surgery the patient can return home on the same day of the operation. Postoperative pain and the risk of complications are reduced.

What happens if a herniated disc is not operated on?

Herniated discs can put pressure on the nerves around them. In fact, that's how we realize they exist most of the time, because we feel that radiating pain caused by a pinched nerve.

If these nerves continue to be damaged over time, they can cause permanent muscle weakness that may even prevent us from performing everyday activities, such as walking or combing our hair.

Today we can choose a minimally invasive herniated disc treatment Thanks to the herniated disc endoscopy. It is important not to let time pass and go to a spine specialist as soon as possible. At the end of the day, it is about our health.

How is canal stenosis operated?

The spine endoscopy It is a procedure that is also used in canal stenosis surgery.

In the canal stenosis operation, once the entry point and the place where the canal has narrowed are determined, the endoscope is used to widen it, freeing the nerve structures.

Risks of minimally invasive surgery

The complications of spinal endoscopy They are less than those of traditional surgery, since tissue damage, bleeding and pain after the operation are minimized.

Still, in any intervention there are some risks. These occur in both conventional and advanced surgery. In this case they involve damage to the nerve root or tearing of the dura mater: the sac of cerebrospinal fluid in which the nervous structures are located. This problem is usually solved effectively by suturing.

Thanks to advanced spine surgery, an operation that minimizes damage, risks, hospitalization time and postoperative problems is possible.  In Elgeadi Traumatology we have lThe best specialists in minimally invasive surgery in Madrid, in addition to the most advanced material equipment to guarantee your best recovery.