Minimally invasive spinal (MIS) lumbar fusion helps stop movement near a vertebral segment that may be causing pain. Spinal fusions can be performed in many different ways for different spinal ailments and/or conditions. Dr. Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine typically performs fusion surgeries on patients with painful spinal conditions like lumbar degenerative disc disease, lumbar spondylolisthesis and/or spinal fractures/deformities (scoliosis).
This type of surgery is not limited to any one condition or concern and is meant to reconstruct a damaged lumbar spine. If you’re experiencing intense back pain in general, see the MIS surgery expert Dr. Mark Giovanini to discuss treatment options.
Again, MIS lumbar fusion surgery has many different approaches, some of which Dr. Giovanini performs (i.e. anterior lumbar Interbody fusion, posterior lumbar Interbody fusion, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, etc.) but the general technique for this surgery involves adding a bone graft to the affected area of the spine and ensuring the graft and healthy vertebral elements fuse together.
The purpose of a fusion is to decrease pain and increase spinal stabilization. Generally speaking, MIS lumbar fusion surgery is usually performed in the following manner:
- The surgeon will make a small incision either in the front or back of the patient to remove damaged disc(s) between two vertebrae in the spine.
- A bone graft will be inserted in the space between the two vertebrae.
- The bone graft may be a cadaver bone, synthetic graft or taken from the patient’s hip during surgery
- Additional tools like screws and rods are inserted to keep the bone graft in place and to stabilize the spine.
- The surgeon will close the incision and the body’s natural healing process will fuse the graft and vertebrae to create a solid, stable mass.
The patient may need to spend a night or two in the hospital to recover. He or she may also be required to wear a back brace during the recovery period. If you’re experiencing moderate to severe back pain, call NeuroMicroSpine today to set up your appointment with Dr. Mark Giovanini!
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
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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.
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