Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine has treated a vast array of spinal conditions and continues to do so today. One such condition that seems to surface time and time again is spinal stenosis, a disease that causes a narrowing of the spinal canal. Dr. Giovanini has treated many patients who suffer from this condition using a variety of minimally invasive techniques. One of the most common procedures he’ll perform for patients with spinal stenosis is lumbar microdecompression.
What is Lumbar Microdecompression?
As we alluded to previously, lumbar microdecompression is a minimally invasive spine surgery that is often recommended to patients who suffer from low back pain and sciatica due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. For the purpose of this blog, we will address the benefits of this procedure for patients who suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis, specifically.
Lumbar spinal stenosis may not produce symptoms in its early stages, but over time, the condition tends to worsen, causing pain, numbness, tingling, muscle cramping, and weakness. Interventional pain therapies can only provide pain relief for a short period of time, which is why it may be necessary to undergo lumbar microdecompression.
Like any spine procedure, lumbar microdecompression offers patients long-lasting, complete relief from their pain. Why? Because unlike interventional therapies that tend to mask symptoms, lumbar microdecompression corrects the patient’s problem at the source, reducing inflammation, pain, and worsening symptoms. If you’re wary about undergoing spine surgery for your spinal stenosis pain, don’t be, because the procedure itself is very simple. Allow us to walk your through the process.
What to Expect During Lumbar Microdecompression
This spine procedure starts out just like any other surgery – the patient is prepped beforehand by changing into a surgical gown and awaiting time with a nurse who monitors the patient’s vitals before the procedure. Once everything is in the clear, the patient will be taken to the operating room where he or she will receive general anesthesia.
Dr. Mark Giovanini cleans the surgical site before making a small incision in the lower back. He will use special tools to prevent the cutting of vital tissues and ligaments. Once Dr. Giovanini has access to the damaged portion of the spine, he’ll get to work removing disc material. This step in the process alleviates pressure that’s being placed on the nerve, and it allows the area to heal.
Once all the necessary disc material has been removed, Dr. Giovanini will remove his surgical tools and close the incision. Because this is an outpatient procedure, patients are sent home to recover the same day. Before being discharged, however, Dr. Giovanini and his OR nurse will go over post-surgical care after with you and your family to ensure a full recovery.
The description above is a shortened version of what you can expect during the procedure – there are additional steps and things that occur throughout the whole process. To learn more about this surgery and whether or not it may be right for you, call our practice today to schedule an appointment!
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.