Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: A Guide to Making an Informed Decision
By Dr. Joseph Mejia, DO, FAAPMR
Medical Director, Performance Ortho
Understanding Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain is one of the most common physical ailments amongst those older than 45, with almost half of the 65 and older population presenting daily pain. There are many non-invasive solutions aimed at pain management and functional improvement, however in some cases these solutions do not provide suitable relief and can even create side effects or unforeseen symptoms that interfere with daily life.
At Performance Ortho, we look to explore all non-invasive treatment options to keep patients out of surgery; however, in some cases, more intensive intervention is necessary. As we age, it is imperative to look out for warning signs that may indicate whether back surgery is necessary or even preventable.
So how do you know when it’s time to consider surgery? These key signs can help guide the conversation with your doctor.
You Have Pain That Radiates Through Your Arms, Legs or Both
A common red herring for spine surgery is Radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerve roots in the spine become compressed or irritated as they exit between the vertebrae. These nerve roots extend from the spinal cord and travel to different parts of the body. This can cause a variety of uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms such as numbness or radiating pain across your arms and legs.
While immediate medical intervention is recommended to mitigate numbness and pain, your doctor may recommend surgical interventions to prevent long-term nerve damage. If consistent radiating pain into the extremities is something you’re struggling with, it is strongly encouraged you to reach out to one of our specialists to begin the process of developing a customized treatment plan to get to the root-cause.
Disc Degeneration and Stenosis
If you’ve been waking up with a stiff back, struggle to walk long distances, or have noticed changes in posture to accommodate pain and discomfort, you may be suffering from spinal stenosis. This occurs when the spaces within your spine narrow and compress, putting pressure on the nerves even within normal daily movement and function.
Degeneration of the spinal structures as we age leads to destabilization, inflammation and even visual irregularities such as hunching over while walking or standing. While degeneration is often simply a symptom of aging, herniated discs as well as spinal trauma and bone overgrowth may also contribute to pain.
Therefore, consulting a specialist is recommended before proceeding with intervention. Typically, pain management treatments like spinal injections or more innovative treatments like regenerative medicine (stem cell therapy, PRP or Via Disc) paired with spinal rehabilitation therapy is a strong conservative approach to mitigating stenosis symptoms. However, when physical function and quality of life is greatly inhibited, surgical avenues may be explored.
At Performance Ortho, we offer a full suite of chronic back pain solutions with the goal of avoiding surgery, along with the resources to guide our patients through minimally invasive surgery when necessary.
Spinal Instability
An additional sign that may indicate surgery is necessary is spinal instability. In short, injured or inflamed spinal support ligaments may cause shifting and movement throughout the vertebrae, often leading to acute and dramatic pain when lifting, twisting and walking. Early signs of spinal instability can often be identified by a specialist, with symptoms usually presenting as poor posture and frequent fidgeting or adjusting to find comfort. Instability in the vertebrae is quite taxing on the body, leading to chronic fatigue and diminished quality of life.
Until recently, the only option for treating spinal instability was a highly invasive spinal fusion surgery. Thanks to advancements in spine care, patients now have access to a minimally invasive alternative known as the Minuteman® procedure. This innovative approach stabilizes the spine with less disruption, smaller incisions, and faster recovery compared to traditional fusion surgery.
If you Experience Chronic Back Pain
In many cases, non-invasive root cause intervention in tandem with a comprehensive team-based approach to spine care is a winning combination. At Performance Ortho, every patient is assigned a dedicated team of orthopedic specialists that may include an orthopedic surgeon, a pain physician, and rehabilitation experts such as physical and occupational therapists. By working side by side in one collaborative facility, our team ensures that your care plan is seamless, coordinated, and tailored to your needs.
For patients with chronic back pain, a structured treatment plan provides a proven pathway to relief. As conservative care progresses, it is essential to closely monitor whether symptoms return or if relief begins to lessen after each treatment, allowing us to adapt your plan and keep you moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions?
When is back surgery not a good idea?
Back surgery is typically not recommended as a first-option solution in many cases. Rest, conservative care such as spinal injections, regenerative medicine and physical therapy, and time away from physically demanding activity is a typical starting point to address chronic pain.
At what age is back surgery not recommended?
There isn’t a specific age that is considered “just right” for back surgery. The candidacy for surgery primarily relies upon the patient’s overall health, the severity of their condition, their personal physical goals, and the potential benefits of surgery compared to the risks. While older adults may face increased risks due to potential complications, many can still safely undergo surgery and experience significant improvements in their quality of life.
Performance Ortho offers minimally invasive outpatient procedures that may provide relief to patients who otherwise would not be candidates for more invasive surgery.
How long does it take to recover from back surgery?
Performance Ortho offers a variety of procedures when necessary to combat chronic pain that is unresponsive to conservative treatments. Our innovative procedures, such as Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD), allow patients to experience relief without the pitfalls of intense recovery time and side effects.
After undergoing an outpatient procedure, our board-certified clinicians will tailor a personalized treatment plan to ensure each patient undergoes intentional rehabilitation throughout their recovery journey, with timelines varying.
Contact Performance Ortho for More Information
Are you or a loved one suffering from chronic back pain and seeking a surgical alternative? Contact one of our four New Jersey ortho clinics in Branchburg, Somerset, Watchung, and Hillsborough. Our compassionate team and their expertise are here to help you through every step of your journey to pain relief.