Spine Surgery

What is spine surgery?

Spine surgery is a treatment option for spinal conditions that cause moderate to life-altering symptoms, including back, leg, and arm pain. It aims to address the root cause of pain and other symptoms.

For instance, the North Texas Brain and Spine Center team may perform surgery to repair or remove excess tissue or bone that presses on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves.

The neurosurgeons typically recommend surgery when nonsurgical therapies aren’t working well. They design a plan for minimally invasive or complex spine surgery based on your existing health, age, and the condition you’re treating.

What conditions can spine surgery treat?

The North Texas Brain and Spine Center team may qualify you for spine surgery if you have conditions like:

• Herniated disc
• Spinal tumor
• Spine instability
• Compression fracture
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Scoliosis or other spinal deformity

The providers offer in-office diagnostic testing, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans to assess your spinal structures and identify the cause of your symptoms. 

They complete a physical exam and review your medical history to ensure you’re a candidate for minimally invasive or open spine surgery.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery requires very small incisions to access the vertebrae, soft tissues, and other spinal structures.

The North Texas Brain and Spine Center team inserts specialized surgical instruments into the incisions. The instruments have an attached camera that sends real-time images of the surgical site to an external monitor. The team watches the screen during surgery to make repairs or remove damaged tissue with a high level of precision.

Minimally invasive techniques prevent tissue damage, as well as post-surgical bleeding, infection, and pain. You can also expect the small incisions to heal faster, so you can get back to your routine sooner than you might after open surgery.

Many people undergo minimally invasive spine surgery on an outpatient basis. However, some procedures require an overnight stay in the hospital. The surgical team discusses what to expect from your surgery during your initial consultation to help you prepare for your procedure and recovery. 

Call the North Texas Brain and Spine Center office near you to schedule a spine surgery consultation.