Spine Surgery

If less invasive treatments can’t resolve severe back or neck pain, you might require spine surgery. Board-certified neurosurgeon Praveen Reddy, MD, M.Ch, and the team at the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, which has five prominent offices in Spring, Conroe, Kingwood, Willis, The Woodlands, Texas, specialize in minimally invasive approaches to spine surgery. They use robotic-assisted technology and techniques such as endoscopic decompression to treat spinal disorders successfully. Call the nearest Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, office to learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery’s benefits, or schedule an appointment online today.

When would I need spine surgery?

The Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, considers surgery a last resort for resolving back or neck pain.

Most patients with spinal conditions respond well to conservative treatments like activity modification, physical therapy, and oral medications to relieve neck and back pain. Surgery might be necessary for those who don’t experience significant relief or whose condition deteriorates.

What conditions might require spine surgery?

Numerous back and  neck injuries and diseases might benefit from minimally invasive spine surgery, including:

• Herniated discs

• Traumatic spine injuries

• Spinal arthritis

• Degenerative disc disease

• Spinal tumors

• Nerve root compression (radiculopathy)

• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis

• Vertebral compression fractures

• Myelopathy (spinal cord compression)

The Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, may recommend surgery earlier for traumatic injuries or nerve damage affecting mobility or bowel and bladder control.

What spine surgery procedure might I require?

The surgery you need depends on your condition’s cause and severity. Your surgeon will also consider your general health, age, and activity levels and whether a minimally invasive procedure is right for you. Common spine surgeries include:

Laminectomy

During a laminectomy, your surgeon removes bone spurs and parts of the vertebra and ligament to relieve nerve compression.

Discectomy

Discectomy removes a damaged disc pressing on nerve roots or the spinal cord. Microdiscectomy might be suitable if only part of a disc needs removing.

Spinal fusion

After a discectomy, spinal fusion connects the vertebrae, using grafts to fuse the bone together. This provides your spine with stability and strength.

Artificial disc replacement

Artificial discs also provide stability after discectomy, but you benefit from increased spinal flexibility compared to fusion.

What techniques does spine surgery utilize?

The Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, specializes in using the least invasive methods to perform spine surgery. Instead of making a large cut to access the spine directly, they make small incisions that provide access to the surgery site without causing as much tissue damage.

Endoscopic decompression is a form of minimally invasive surgery that involves using a slim instrument fitted with a camera and light (endoscope). Your surgeon views your spine on a screen in the operating room using the images provided by the endoscope.

The Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, also uses state-of-the-art Mazor™ robotic-assisted systems. The robotic arm is always under your surgeon’s control during the procedure. The system also allows your surgeon to make detailed preoperative plans. Robotic-assisted techniques are often the least invasive and most precise.

Call the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, to learn more about the spine surgeries available, or book an appointment online today.