The idea of having spinal surgery can seem daunting. However, medical advancements have created far less invasive methods for performing many of these procedures, including spinal fusion.
Spinal fusion is the process of welding bones in your spine together to relieve chronic pain. In the past, this was an extensive back surgery that required large incisions, general anesthesia, and hospital stays with lengthy recovery times. But minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures have changed things for the better.
Vladimir Fiks, MD, understands the complex nature of back pain. That’s why he brings cutting-edge treatments to his patients at Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, also serving the surrounding areas of Aloha, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigart & Lake Oswego.
If you have back pain that hasn’t responded to conservative treatments, here’s how minimally invasive spinal fusion could help.
Spinal fusion adds stability to your spine by permanently fusing two or more vertebrae together. This treatment can also relieve pressure on surrounding nerves.
Your vertebrae are the individual bones that form your spinal column. Each bone sits on top of another with an intervertebral disc in between to provide cushioning and flexibility. Together, your vertebrae protect your spinal cord, which acts as the communication superhighway between your brain and the rest of your body.
During spinal fusion surgery, Dr. Fiks uses a bone graft or other material to fuse at least two of your vertebrae together. Sometimes, he also adds more stability to the area with plates, screws, or cages.
Overall, this process is similar to traditional spinal fusion surgery. However, with minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery, Dr. Fiks is able to make small incisions by using special tools. And, in some areas, he’s even able to spread tissues instead of cut them.
The result? The same highly effective procedure with far less trauma in the area.
Any surgery comes with risks, even minimally invasive approaches. However, the methods used to perform minimally invasive spinal fusion offer numerous advantages over traditional procedures, such as:
You can often go home within a day or two of your procedure and resume normal activities, such as bending, twisting, and lifting, in 4-6 weeks
Dr. Fiks offers numerous treatments for chronic pain, including spinal injections, spinal cord stimulation, and spinal decompression. However, if your condition doesn’t respond to more conservative treatments, it could be time to explore minimally invasive spinal fusion.
Medical conditions that respond favorably to this procedure include:
That said, minimally invasive spinal fusion can’t resolve all forms of back pain. As a result, the best way to determine if it’s right for you is by consulting with Dr. Fiks.
To see if minimally invasive spinal fusion or another treatment could be able to resolve your chronic back pain, call 503-405-8718 or book an appointment online with Advanced Pain Management Center today.
