Are you a UnitedHealthcare patient who’s considering spine surgery? When it comes to taking care of your health, it’s essential to make fully informed decisions about your medical treatments. So before consenting to a major neck or back operation, make sure you’ve explored the possibility of minimally invasive spine surgery. There may be more benefits than you realize.
Minimally invasive surgery differs from traditional open surgery in many ways. Most people think of the obvious: Open surgery relies on one long incision to gain access to your internal structures, such as your bones or organs, whereas minimally invasive surgery is performed through much smaller openings.
Though this is true, the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery go far beyond incision size. With the help of special equipment, including real-time X-ray imaging and operating microscopes, trained spine surgeons can carry out the operation with less trauma to your surrounding muscles and tissues. As a result, you are likely to experience:
But is minimally invasive spine surgery an option to treat your particular back or neck condition? There’s a good chance it is! From degenerative disc disease to herniated discs to spinal stenosis, many common conditions can now be repaired with a minimally invasive procedure.
Taking the time to prepare and plan ahead for your minimally invasive spine surgery will help ensure a smooth process and successful outcome. Here are some tips:
If you’d like to learn more about your options for minimally invasive spine surgery, schedule a consultation with a surgeon at DISC Sports & Spine Center. Now in-network with UnitedHealthcare, our team is dedicated to finding you the least invasive treatment that will deliver the best results.