Minimally invasive spine surgery is an alternative to traditional open surgery which is performed in order to treat different spinal disorders. It has many potential benefits as opposed to open spine surgery as it is safer, faster, and requires less recovery time. Some other benefits include:

• Less blood loss during surgery
• Smaller skin incisions give better cosmetic result
• Reduced risk of infection
• Less postoperative pain
• Reduced risk of muscle damage

However, like any other type of spine surgery, there are complications and risks which you will thoroughly discuss with your spine surgeon before your surgery. Let’s discuss spinal conditions that may be treated using minimally invasive spine surgery in Los Angeles.

Related reading: Getting A Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery In Los Angeles

• Herniated disc

Also known as slipped or ruptured disc, a disc herniates when its interior gel-like matter (nucleus pulposus) breaks through the disc’s outer layer and presses on nearby spinal nerves which leads to inflammation and pain.

• Sciatica

It is a condition developed due to the compression of the sciatic nerve. It is the longest nerve in the human body as it runs downwards from the lower back into the buttock, down the thigh, and sometimes into a foot. It usually affects one side of the body and causes pain below the knee accompanied by numbness and tingling. 

• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)

DDD affects the spine’s intervertebral discs (the discs in the cervical or lumbar spine). It is caused by the wear and tear of bones with age as discs degenerate and lose structural elasticity, strength, flexibility, and capacity to absorb shock. This may lead to a torn or bulging disc. 

• Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of spaces within your spine which leads to the spinal cord or nerves becoming irritated and compressed causing back pain. It is caused by osteoarthritis or wear-and-tear changes that occur naturally with time. It can occur anywhere along the spine but the most common areas are the neck (cervical spine stenosis) and lower back (lumbar canal stenosis). Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness.

• Vertebral compression fracture (VCF)

VCF is a common type of spinal fracture that occurs as a result of injury or osteoporosis. Its symptoms include sudden pain that can be severe. Balloon kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are two types of minimally invasive treatments for VCFs.

• Spinal infections

Infections in the spine can develop after surgery or arise on their own. It can develop in a vertebral body or may affect an intervertebral disc. Chronic back pain without prior injury is a symptom of spinal infection.

• Spinal tumors

A tumor in the spine is abnormal tissue growth that develops anywhere in the spine. Tumors can be cancerous or benign. A tumor that originates in the spine is a primary spinal tumor whereas a tumor that travels to the spine from any other location is called a metastatic spinal tumor.

Are you a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery in Los Angeles?

Although this surgery offers many benefits, surgery should be the last option for treating pain caused by a spinal disorder. If non-surgical treatments do not effectively reduce symptoms in 3 to 6 months, then you may be a candidate for spine surgery. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe at Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery for a comprehensive evaluation. She is one of the best surgeons for minimally invasive spine surgery in Los Angeles. Call at (213)369-4583 or visit their website for an online appointment request form.