.png)
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
What are minimally invasive spine procedures?
The idea of back surgery can be frightening, but advancements in the field of spinal procedures have led to several techniques that are less invasive than traditional spine surgery.
Minimally invasive spine procedures can reduce or eliminate pain and improve mobility, health and quality of life.
Some of the benefits of these procedures over traditional back surgery include:
-
Smaller incisions or injections only
-
Less post-surgical pain and reduced reliance on pain medications
-
Less blood loss
-
Little-to-no muscle damage
-
Lower risk of anesthesia-related complications
-
Faster recovery
How Do Minimally-Invasive Spine
Procedures Work?
The biggest challenge when it comes to spine surgery is that the spine is located deep within the body, protected by thick muscle at the back and hidden under major organs and blood vessels in front.
With traditional spine surgery, the back must be opened up and the muscles must be cut or dissected in order to access the spine, creating a significant amount of soft tissue damage. Anterior (from the front) approaches spare the back muscles, but they also put major blood vessels and the genitourinary tract at risk.
By contrast, minimally invasive spine surgeries protect muscles and sensitive body structures while still providing the access to damaged vertebrae. Some minimally-invasive procedures are designed to treat the nerves that are causing back pain.
What Are My Options for Spine Surgery That’s Minimally Invasive?
If you are a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery, there are many types of procedures that might be suitable for your individual circumstances, including:
-
Spinal stenosis decompression
-
Minimally invasive cervical spine surgery
-
Minimally invasive laminectomy
-
Minimally invasive spine surgery for spondylolisthesis
-
Lateral access spinal fusion surgery
Certain spine procedures can now be done endoscopically. Endoscopic spine surgery is an ultra-minimally invasive approach that allows the surgeon to access and treat damaged vertebrae through a small incision using dilating tubes, guidewires and moving X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy).
Are There Minimally Invasive Types of Fusion?
Yes. A less invasive form of spinal fusion surgery is lateral access spinal fusion surgery. Lateral access involves surgically entering through the side of the body rather than the back or front, which greatly reduces damage and risk to soft tissues and also allows for the placement of very large interbody implants that restore space between vertebrae.
_PNG.png)
Alternatives to Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Phoenix, AZ
Even the least invasive back surgery in AZ is still surgery. If you haven’t yet tried non-surgical interventions to deal with your pain, you may have other options. Injections for pain management such as medial branch blocks and epidural injections help identify and treat the nerve or nerves that are causing pain. In some cases, once the troublesome nerves are identified, radiofrequency rhizotomy may be used to permanently disable them.
Why Having Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Arizona Matters
Every decision regarding surgery is a big one. From the perspective of the patient, there are no “minor” or “routine” surgical procedures. Everyday people simply do not experience the recovery associated with even minor surgeries daily. That said, the advancements described above are just one of several reasons to have a minimally invasive spine procedure (our expert team is another!)
The risks are significantly lower than they were 20 or 30 years ago for most patients, the recovery times from these newer procedures can be much faster and the ultimate results can be much better.
Preparing for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Proper pre-surgical preparation is crucial to enjoying as smooth an experience as possible during both surgery and recovery. Your preparation will likely involve:
-
Getting evaluated by a physician to see if you qualify for minimally invasive surgery and discussing any other important factors (such as medications or supplements you may be taking regularly)
-
Scheduling your procedure
-
Getting a pre-operation physical examination prior to surgery
-
Adhering to any fasting instructions provided by your physician (in most cases, when general anesthesia is administered, you must fast and avoid consuming liquids for a certain amount of time)
-
Arranging transportation to and from surgery
-
Choosing clothing for the day of surgery in advance (avoid jewelry and dress comfortably)
-
Ensuring you have access to your insurance card & ID to bring with you to surgery
-
Confirming your surgery appointment (usually the day beforehand)
Preparing for Anesthesia
Your doctor or nurse will discuss your options for pain relief during and after surgery, including general anesthesia, local or regional anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care. They will also discuss your post-operative pain relief options.
The type of anesthesia used will affect the steps you must take. In general, you should not eat or drink 8 hours prior to your surgery. You should ask your doctor about how to prepare for anesthesia (and surgery in general) if you have not been given clear instructions.
_PNG.png)
Get Relief from Pain: Explore Your Options Now
Unlike most other areas of the body, back pain can all but destroy your ability to move, your ability to sit, your ability to sleep and just about any other daily activity that people without back problems usually take for granted.
Minimally invasive spine surgery in Arizona with our expert team can give you a new lease on life.
We work only with the best interests of the patient in mind at all times. If you’d like to learn more about what we can do to help you, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Get maximum relief with minimal risk
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
SPINE PROCEDURES
ENDOSCOPIC
SPINE SURGERY
STEREOTACTIC
SPINE PROCEDURES
NON-SURGICAL
TREATMENT OPTIONS
WE DIAGNOSE THE ROOT
Chronic back pain can be debilitating and leave you feeling hopeless. When Craig wasn’t getting the care he felt he deserved, he reached out to Dr. Baig to get the help he needed.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem: People suffering from back pain see a doctor, get diagnosed with some type of “chronic” condition, obtain a prescription and perhaps go to a few physical therapy appointments. They feel a bit better for a time, but the root of the problem is never diagnosed or properly treated. This is how back pain can become chronic, and this is why people ultimately seek the help of Desert Spine and Scoliosis center, expert back surgeons in Phoenix.
Dr. Baig, one of the most respected back surgeons in Phoenix, helped Craig identify his problem by relying on his years of expertise as a spine specialist in Phoenix. With the proper treatment, Craig’s condition improved and he was able to get back into life without the terrible pain that had dragged him down for so long. This is what patients should reasonably expect from our team of Phoenix spine surgeons.
SUCCESS STORIES
For an active 39 year old who participates in Jiujitsu, having a spinal fusion would not have been the right thing for her. We were able to get her back on the mat after a successful disc replacement and she is back living her life
NO MORE BACK PAIN!
For an active young mom, having a spinal fusion was out of the question.
She was back in the gym THE SAME DAY after she had an Endoscopic Decompression. Dr. Baig and is living life
PAIN FREE!
This personal trainer got a cervical disc replacement.
She was able to avoid a fusion, keep her her range of motion, and get back
into the gym
PAIN FREE!
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our patients who take the time to leave a review about their experience at our practice.
Your kind words and feedback are greatly appreciated by our entire team, and your review helps other patients make an informed decision about where to turn to for care.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with others. You are making a difference.
T.M. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig and his team are phenomenal. I had a compressed nerve due to a bulging disc and was able to be seen relatively quickly. Surgery was quick and flawless and I have no complaints at all. I truly appreciated how fast they worked to get me seen and out of all the pain I was in! Highly recommend them."
A.H. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig literally changed my life for the better. I had a severely pinched nerve in my neck and needed to get surgery. Immediately at my first consult I felt comfortable and in good hands. I even walked away with a smile on my face during that scary time.
Surgery day couldn’t have gone better. The team he had also had a great bedside manner and helped keep me calm.
After the surgery and in the recovery room, he came in and checked on me and made sure I was all good before releasing me."
S.D. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig was going to be my second opinion for an upcoming scheduled spinal surgery. After my appointment, he will be my surgeon. He gave me a lot of information that was lacking from my other doctors. I felt very comfortable with Dr Baig and his entire office staff. Looking forward to living pain free after we strengthen my bones. It’s going to be a permanent fix and not a bandaid."
Consult Our Back Surgeons in Phoenix
Back pain can often be a result of an accident, injury, or congenital conditions such as scoliosis. Certain forms of back pain can be a result of the natural aging process, including conditions such as disc protrusion and spinal stenosis.
Today, advancements in imaging, and non surgical techniques have led to more treatment options than ever before, allowing us to return our patients the life they once knew…usually without the need for invasive spine surgery.
Typically, back surgeons in Phoenix offer one type of help, even though there are many others available. When you work with Dr. Baig at the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you can rest assured that everything is on the table when it comes to potential treatments that are accepted by the medical world.
CONTACT US
LOCATIONS
Conservative care you can trust, with multiple locations in the valley!
Just how ‘minimal’ is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Book your appointment today and we'll be happy to educate you!
As a top-rated spine specialist, Dr. Baig understands that this complicated part of the body can lead to many different problems, and each possibility will be considered before deciding on a treatment protocol.
Get answers, get help, get back to a better quality of life––schedule an appointment today.
_PNG.png)