Minimally Invasive
Spinal Fusion

Table Of Contents

• What Is Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion?
• When Is Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion Done?
• How To Prepare For Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion?
• What Happens During Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion?
• What Happens After The Spinal Fixation?
• What Are The Advantages Of Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation?

What is Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion?

Spinal fusion is a surgical treatment that permanently joins two or more bones in the spine. Compared to standard spinal fusion surgery, minimally invasive spinal fusion employs a minor cut (incision).

The little bones that make up the spinal column are called vertebrae. Intervertebral discs divide these vertebrae, which stack on top of each other. These bones guard the spinal cord, which transmits and receives data from the brain to the rest of the body.

Due to various medical issues, the vertebrae may slide against each other more than they should. This can cause discomfort by stretching the surrounding nerves, ligaments, and muscles. For example, if one has arthritis in the spine, moving the vertebrae against each other may cause pain. In that case, spinal fusion can help relieve pain by immobilising one or more vertebrae.

When is Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion Done?

A variety of medical disorders may necessitate spinal fusion, including:

• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Scoliosis
• Fractured spinal column
• Infected spinal column
• Tumour in the spinal column

These disorders can cause a lot of back pain. Other more conservative therapies, including pain medications and physical therapy, may be tried first by the healthcare physician. If none of these options work for you, minimally invasive spinal fusion may be a good option. However, spinal fusion does not work for all types of back pain.

How to Prepare for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion?

You should try to quit smoking before the operation if you are a smoker. You must not eat or drink after midnight the night before the surgery. Before the surgery, the healthcare practitioner may arrange additional spine imaging, such as an MRI.

What Happens During Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion?

After anaesthesia, a breathing tube is inserted down the throat to help breathe.
During the surgery, vital indicators, such as heart rate and blood pressure, are closely monitored. The surgeon will make a small incision on the side or back. They will dilate the back muscles with special tools, pushing them out of the way. After which, the intervertebral disc between the damaged vertebrae will be removed. The space between the vertebrae will place some form of bone or a bone-like substance. The surgeon may use special screws or other materials to keep the bones in place. After which, layers of skin around the incision will be closed.

What Happens after the Spinal Fixation?

The initial symptoms may improve dramatically right after surgery, or they may take longer to go.

Carefully follow all of the healthcare provider’s directions. They may not want you to take certain pain relievers over-the-counter as some of these have the potential to obstruct bone repair. As the bones repair, the healthcare professional may suggest calcium- and vitamin-D-rich diet. It’s critical to keep the spine in optimal alignment as you recover. A healthcare provider will show you how to move correctly. It is recommended only to undertake light exercise, such as walking. You’ll be able to raise the exercise level as you recover gradually.

What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation?

As compared to traditional procedures, during this technique, there is;

• Less trauma to nerves, tissues and muscles
• Less bleeding
• Less amount of narcotics needed as pain is significantly less.
• Less trauma