Minimally Invasive Back Surgery

taz628, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2009

I believe my uncle (age 83) had it done this way. Worked out much better for him than my dad, who had invasive surgery done. My uncle had no complications. A week after my dad had his he needed a revision and ended up staying 13 days in the hospital for various infections. Both of them needed arthritis cleared away from the spinal canal.

BigBee48 · Apr 1, 2009

http://www.stvincent.org/ourservices/Ortho/spine/Minimally_Invasive.htm I do not personally know of anyone who has had this. Dr Rick Sasso, has been instumental in this type of surgery (Indianapolis,IN). Look over this and see if it helps at all. I had to have the traditional neck, and lower back surgery. Dr Sasso did my neck fusion C4-C7, I have not had one single problem with my neck since, that was in Febuary 2002. I had lumbar fusion, went well also, just have alot of pain from other injuries. Hope this helps

Vito Andolini · Apr 1, 2009

Ah, yes, I should also have asked for locations of surgeons trained in this technique - endoscopic back surgery for disc disease, vertebral arthritis, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, and the like.

Thanks for any information. So glad that those who have had this surgery had good results.

BigBee, why was it that you had to have the traditional, open procedure? I'm glad it is helping you.

lamazeteacher · Apr 1, 2009

My 79 year old sister discovered the Laser Institute in Tampa, FLA a few years ago. The results they've had were fantastic, and several of her acquaintances went there for it, and were without pain for years.

In my sister's situation, exquisitely painful spinal stenosis, they suggested that she have one side of the vertebrae cleared of debris, first. The pain relief she got was dramatic, but shortly afterward, the side that had not been lasered became excrutiating, and she was back on oxycodone, fentanyl, and some other analgesics in between.

Of course analgesia has the side effect of sedating people so much they forget and have no energy to push on for what worked before. I've been encouraging her to have laser again on both sides, if the doctors think that's appropriate. However, she'd rather have it done in her home city, Toronto, Canada where they've trained some neurosurgeons to do it. She';s hoping that if she waits long enough (not because the Canadian healthcare system requires that), the newly trained doctors will be more expert.

I think she likes the oxycodone too much, and wish she'd get the laser procedure done, before she is so addicted that her withdrawal symptoms will be as bad as the pain she suffers. Also the special "out of country" insurance Blue Cross provides for Canadians (at quite a high premium) when they require treatment elsewhere, wouldn't cover her first procedure, as she left the country specifically to have that. Blue Cross is heartless!

I just hope she'll get it done! It was so good to see her move without grimacinbg, after the first procedure!

BigBee48 · Apr 1, 2009

I had spondolythesis in my neck and lower back, I was told I had too much damage for the front minimally invasive

surgery, and had the same problem in lumbar area, alot of arthritis, and stenosis. And it was in early 2002, I think it was just starting around here.

lamazeteacher · Apr 2, 2009

I had spondolythesis in my neck and lower back, I was told I had too much damage for the front minimally invasive
surgery, and had the same problem in lumbar area, alot of arthritis, and stenosis. And it was in early 2002, I think it was just starting around here.

Laser surgery has come a long way, since then and there are centers in many cities. Get an opinion there!

Vito Andolini · Apr 3, 2009

Many thanks to all of you. I truly appreciate your help.