Posts Tagged ‘Pain management’
Spine Surgeon Fort Worth Texas, Spine Surgeon Tarrant County, Texas Back Institute, TBI, Shawn Henry DO
Become Pain Free | Pain Specialist in Texas
Call Us: (214) 396-3647 | (888) 373-3720 Fax #: (888 )238-9155 | E-mail Us
Minimally Invasive, Endoscopic, Endoscopic Spine Surgery and Laser Spine Surgery
The trend in spine surgery has moved toward minimally invasive type procedures. Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) involves surgical treatment of the spine through small incisions with very minimal disruption of the surrounding muscle tissue.The benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include decreased pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery. Come check out our large medical doctors and surgeons group at www.becomepainfree.com
Open Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Surgical procedures of the spine are often referred to as an “open back type” procedure or minimally invasive. An open procedure involves making a skin incision and retracting (moving aside) any tissues overlying the anatomy that is to be operated on so that the surgeon can directly view the desired anatomy. The surgeon will view the anatomy either with the naked eye, magnifying telescopic eyeglasses called loupes, or a magnifying microscope. Traditionally, open procedures have required larger incisions and more muscle tissue distraction than minimally invasive surgery.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques utilize specialized retractors which allow a surgical procedure to be done through smaller incisions with much less tissue disruption. One of these specialized retractors is called a tubular retractor, which is a series of gradually expanding tubes that gently and progressively dilate and separate muscles and soft tissues to expose the operative field. Using specialized instruments, surgery is performed through the tube.
Laser is one of many specialized tools that can be used during minimally invasive spine surgery. There is a common misconception that if a laser is used during surgery, no incisions need to be made. Unfortunately, this is not the case. A laser is like any other surgical tool. In order for it to be used, it has to be placed into the appropriate area of the body through an incision.
A second misconception is that lasers can be used to remove arthritis. Spinal arthritis is a condition in which the facet joints degenerate and become inflamed.Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis and it cannot be “lasered away”.
Finally, many people think that laser surgery is always better than surgery without a laser. Although the laser is helpful for certain procedures, not all spinal conditions can be safely or appropriately treated with a laser, and using a laser does not always provide advantages over other techniques.
Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy
This is a technique that is being performed by some of the surgeons at BecomePainFree.com to treat herniated discs in the lumbar spine. Transforaminal literally means “through the foramen”. The foramen is the “window” or “tunnel” through which the nerve exits from the spinal canal at each disc level. The foramen are located on the sides of the spinal canal, and provide a natural window through which the spinal canal can be accessed without having to remove any bone or ligament tissue.
The patient remains awake during the procedure. After a local anesthetic is administered, a small needle is inserted into the disc space. A 7mm (1/4 inch) “keyhole” skin incision is made and a tube is slipped over the needle into the abnormal disc. Muscle and tissue is dilated rater than being cut when accessing the disc and a laminotomy does not have to be performed. The endoscope is then inserted through the tube into the disc. Using x-ray guidance and endoscopic visualization, micro-instruments are used to remove the damaged disc. A laser may be used to further remove and shrink the disc (disc decompression) and to tighten the outer layers of the disc (annulus). On average, the procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour per disc. Upon completion of the procedure, the probe is removed and a small bandage is applied over the incision.
Minimally invasive surgery is emerging as an alternative, reliable method of treatment for a variety of spinal disorders. Like “building a ship in a bottle”, there is a steep learning curve for surgeons learning to do these procedures. Although the recovery is often faster, the complication rate during surgery can be greater and the results may not be as predictable. Not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.Each patient needs evaluation by a knowledgeable and experienced surgeon in this technique to determine their eligibility.
Our physicians specialize in numerous medical specialties, including, but not limited to: Orthopedics- spine and extremities, OB/GYN, Interventional Radiology, Oncology, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Pain Management/Anesthesia, Surgical Anesthesia, Electro Diagnostic Testing, Autonomic Nervous System Testing, General Surgery/Bariatric Surgery, Hand/Plastic Surgery and Wound Care.
Call Us: (214) 396-3647 | (888) 373-3720
Fax #: (888)238-9155 | E-mail Us https://www.becomepainfree.com/
Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Disc for Spine Issues, Advances in Regenerative Medicine, PRP
With advances in Regenerative Medicine we can now offer patients the option of injecting regenerative agents such as PRP and stem cells into a damaged disc area. This includes disc annular tears, disc bulges/protrusions and disc herniations. In some cases this can help a patient avoid bigger spinal surgeries such as spinal fusion surgery. In cases where the disc herniation is very large or the disc is very damaged we offer the option of minimally invasive spinal decompression and repair and combine that procedure with either PRP or stem cells. The effect is often synergistic and in many cases very powerful. We are now at a stage where we can offer patients alternatives to spinal surgery or back surgery.
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The downside of traditional spine surgery is that you often loss range of motion after surgery or create a substantial amount of scar tissue. This does not happen when we use regenerative treatments to treat disc problems either in the lumbar or cervical region. Also with a traditional spinal fusion surgery even if the disc problem is treated successfully it often places increased stress on the disc either below or above the level of surgery or fusion. In the future this can cause that disc to degenerate and even lead to a disc herniation.
Finally, with the advancement in regenerative medicine our group can offer patients alternatives to back surgery and spinal surgery.
Call Us: (214) 396-3647 | (888) 373-3720
Fax #: (888)238-9155 | E-mail Us
Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, MISS, Spine Surgery, Back Surgery, Pain Help, Neck Help, New Back Surgery, Back Surgeries
Description of Spinal Surgery
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Minimally invasive spinal surgery or MISS in Texas does not apply to any one particular type of surgery. The goal of this type of spinal surgery is to achieve the same effect as with traditional surgery process, but to do so through very small tiny incisions. This also involves less trauma to muscles. Surgery is sometimes done through very small tubes like test tubes. There are minimally invasive techniques or MIT for several spinal surgeries, including discectomy and fusion. However, this method cannot be applied to all patients. Often, a minimally invasive method or MIM of placing pedicle type screws and rods is combined with a traditional fusion.
What to Expect Before a Spinal Surgery
Once you have decided to have spinal surgery which is exciting, the following events may take place:
- A full medical examination from head to toe.
- A chest x-ray, EKG and full blood work.
- You may also be asked to have a neurological or psychological examination.
- If taking aspirin medication or anti-inflammatory medications daily, a doctor may ask you to stop these medications at least one week before surgery.
- If you take prescription medications or meds and other drugs, including herbal stuff, ask your doctor how soon before surgery you should stop taking these.
- Do not have anything to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours before surgery as directed by your doctor.
- You will check into the hospital the morning of surgery sometimes the day before.
- Prior to any surgery, you will be asked to sign permits for surgery, anesthesia, blood and blood products.
What to Expect During a Spinal Surgery
- Several small incisions are made in the low back.
- Fluoroscopy x-ray, a method used to make images, is used to determine the correct level(s) to be operated.
- A tube is gently passed through the muscles toward the spine area.
- Pedicle screws are placed through the tube and into the vertebral body.The screws are connected with a rod sometimes.
- This process is repeated until all the screws (usually two or three on one side of the spine) are placed.
- The screw placement and rod placement procedure will be completed on the other side of the spine area.
- Surgery takes approximately 1-5 hours.
What to Expect After Spinal Surgery
- You will be in the recovery room from 1 to 1½ hours in most cases.
- The surgeon will contact your family while you are in recovery.
- After going to a hospital room, you will be able to use a PCA pump to get medication for pain control. This machine controls the amount of medication that can be received.
- Staff will usually get you out of bed shortly after surgery.
- The hospital stay is usually 1-3 days sometimes you can go home the next day (tends to be 1-2 days if only a minimally invasive procedure is done).
- A brace of some sort or corset is usually prescribed.
- You will be given any needed prescriptions and discharge instructions from the hospital.
- A set of exercises that you can do at home may be provided.
- You will be able to ride in a car or plane upon leaving the hospital in most cases.
- Physical therapy or PT is usually initiated after the first office visit with your doctor following surgery.
Your recovery from minimally invasive spinal surgery process in Texas varies greatly among all patients and is dependent on the exact type of spinal surgery as well as the age and health and condition of the individual. Return to work also varies greatly among patients and is related to overall health and the type of work you do.
https://www.becomepainfree.com/ Call Us: (214) 396-3647 | (888) 373-3720
Fax #: (888)238-9155 | E-mail Us