Minimally Invasive Sciatica Surgery

Minimally invasive sciatica surgery is always the best way to go for patients who require surgical intervention, yet can still have their conditions effectively resolved using a less traumatic approach. There are a wide range of minimally invasive procedures to choose from and virtually every spinal surgery can be accomplished in a way which minimizes damage to healthy tissues.

What is Minimally Invasive Sciatica Surgery?

Traditional spinal surgery, also typically called “full open” surgery, involves a large incision in the back and multiple levels of muscular dissection. These circumstances alone will cause terrible post operative pain and will require long periods of rehabilitation. Newer, minimally invasive approaches often utilize several small incisions which are placed in locations which do not require muscular dissection. Muscles can be avoided completely or simply stretched and moved aside, since these less invasive procedures utilize small and precise surgical tools and can generally be performed with an endoscope.

Minimally Invasive Sciatica Surgery Procedures

Virtually every type of sciatica surgery can be accomplished using a less invasive endoscopic approach. Even the most invasive procedures, such as laminectomy and spinal fusion, now have effective minimally invasive versions widely available. Some sciatica surgery techniques are always done using a less invasive approach, such as the very promising artificial disc replacement operation. Regardless of the type of surgery you might require, make sure to investigate your options for HOW the procedure will be accomplished. If you can minimize the injury to healthy spinal and muscular tissues, you will be helping to create the ideal circumstances for a better post operative result with less pain and a faster recuperation time. This is why it is always advised to seek several surgical opinions prior to making a definitive decision.

Minimally Invasive Sciatica Surgery Advice

Spinal surgery is rarely necessary or even truly indicated for sciatica pain syndromes. Remember that surgery should be a last resort and even then should be considered at great length. Surgery has not demonstrated good permanent curative results for most lower back concerns and has made many patient’s sciatica symptoms much, much worse… Be very careful in making the decision to undergo spinal surgery…

That being said; if surgery is your destiny, make sure to be proactive and find the best approach for your particular needs. If you can find a surgeon who can accomplish your goals without destroying healthy tissue in the process, you will be far better off in the long run. Even if your surgery is not a complete success (and most are not…), at least you will not be left permanently disabled due to the extreme consequences of a fully open procedure. Minimally invasive operations might help to reduce the risk of failed sciatica surgery considerably.

Minimally Invasive Sciatica Surgery to Sciatica Home
9/11/08 Revised 12/16/09