Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Baton Rouge

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) may be used to treat various forms of spinal injury or disease which do not respond to non-surgical treatment methods. MISS utilizes small incisions and special surgical tools such as endoscopes and lasers to allow spine surgery to be performed with minimal disruption to the body and reduced complications.

There are many uses for minimally invasive spine surgery and several specific procedures and techniques. In most cases, MISS can be categorized into one of the following four areas:

• Discectomy – This procedure addresses pain due to herniated or bulging discs by removing the portion that is placing pressure on the affected nerve.
  
  
• Spinal Decompression –  Conditions such as spinal stenosis lead to painful compression of some of the spinal nerves. MISS decompresses these nerves by removing bone and/or tissue, thereby creating space and alleviating pressure.
  
  
• Spinal Fusion – Used to correct spine weakness and instability that can accompany conditions such as fractured vertebrae, arthritis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The procedure uses bone or similar material to promote fusion between two or more vertebrae, ultimately eliminating motion between them and restoring spine strength and stability.
  
  
• Ablation – The combination of a laser with MISS surgical techniques allows for the ablation of nerves impacted by herniated discs or facet joints in order to relieve associated pain.
  

80 percent of the population will experience back at some point, and for those whose condition is chronic or severe, spine surgery may be the most effective treatment option. Some of the more common conditions for which MISS may be used include:

• Broken or Fractured Vertebrae – MISS options such as spinal fusion may be used to stabilize and promote healing in vertebrae that have become fractured or broken due to trauma or weakened bones associated with conditions such as osteoporosis.
  
  
• Damaged Spinal Discs. – Compression of intervertebral discs due to injury or wear and tear over time (degenerative disc disease) can lead to chronic pain in the impacted nerves. Various MISS techniques can be used to treat these conditions.

• Spinal Deformities – Deformities of the spine which can lead to pain and other complications include spinal stenosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, and more. MISS can be used in severe cases to correct these deformities to a large degree.

• Spinal Instability & Weakness – Slipped vertebrae associated with spondylolisthesis and other conditions such as arthritis allow excessive movement between vertebrae, leading to spinal instability. Certain types of MISS, including various forms of spinal fusion, can be used to eliminate this vertebral movement.
  

Traditional open spine surgery has been largely replaced in favor of more minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. The benefits of MISS over open surgical procedures are many and include:

• Less blood loss
  
  
• Reduced risk of infection, pain, and other complications
  
  
• Quicker recovery time
  
  
• Shortened hospital stays
  
  
• Less tissue and muscle damage
  
  
• Less scarring

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